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Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography May 2017

Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for

Geography

Central Department of Geography, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu, China

Background On 16 to 19 January 2010, Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment (IMHE), Chinese Academy of

Sciences (CAS) organized a workshop supported under International Cooperation Key Project of Chinese

Academy of Sciences at Chengdu, China. The main objectives of the workshop were to discuss i) how to

enhance collaboration with international partners in the implementation of project and ii) how to keep

the project running smoothly.

The Central Department of Geography, Tribhuvan University was invited to participate in the workshop.

The scientists from the Department of Land Use/Cover Change and Land Resources, Institute of

Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR), CAS, Beijing and the International

Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) were also attended the workshop. After series

of presentations and discussion, it was proposed to start field studies together in the Koshi Basin, a

transboundary river between China and Nepal.

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Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography May 2017

Accordingly, joint field visits were organized in Koshi basin both in Nepal in downstream and China in

upstream. A multidisciplinary team of Chinese scientists from CAS, Nepali scientists from Tribhuvan

University and Government Departments, and scientists from ICIMOD participated in the field visits.

Field work in the Koshi Basin of Nepal

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Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography May 2017

Field work in the Koshi Basin in China

After the field visit in the Koshi basin, IMHE organized another workshop on Koshi River Basin Project in

Emei Mountain in China from August 23 to August 26, 2010.

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Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography May 2017

After closing of the workshop, a meeting was organized between the Chinese scientists led by Prof. Deng

Wei and scientists from Central Department of Geography, Tribhuwan University – Prof. Narendra Raj

Khanal and Mr. Sher Bahadur Gurung to discuss on academic cooperation. During this discussion, an

idea of establishing the Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography was emerged.

On August 29, 2013, a delegation with six members of Chinese Scientists led by Prof. Deng Wei, Director

of the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment (IMHE), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu

paid visit to Tribhuvan University authorities: Prof. Hira Bahadur Maharjan, Vice Chancellor; Prof.

Gunanidhi Nayupane, Rector; and Dr. Bal Mukunda Bhandari, Director of the Centre of International

Relation and discussed about the opportunities for strengthening Nepal-China joint scientific and

technological cooperation. Prof. Deng Wei and Prof. Ainong Li briefed about proposal for the

establishment of Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography. Prof. Padma Chandra Poudel, Head,

Central Department of Geography and Prof. Narendra Raj Khanal were also present in the meeting.

The proposal was jointly developed by the Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment and the

Central Department of Geography, Tribhuvan University and submitted to the Foreign Aid Project on

Science and Technology for the Developing Countries from International Cooperation Department,

Ministry of Science and Technology for financial support. The proposal was accepted and IMHE received

support to set up one joint research laboratory in CDG, TU for carrying out scientific research activities

through the Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography.

On 7th April 2014, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between CDG, TU and IMHE,

CAS for the establishment of Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography and joint research

laboratory in the Central Department of Geography, TU. The MOU was signed by Prof. Padma Chandra

Poudel, then Head, on behalf of the Central Department of Geography, TU and by Prof. Cui Peng,

Academician and Vice-Director on behalf of IMHE, CAS. Dr. Bal Mukunda Bhandari, Director, Centre of

International Relations, Tribhuvan University and Dr. Tan Tieniu, Vice Secretary General, CAS and

Director General Bureau of International Cooperation, CAS also signed the same MOU as witness.

The main objectives for the establishment of Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography are to i)

carry out joint research activities to understand the environmental, socio-economic and development

processes in the mountain areas; and ii) enhance research capacity through the establishment

oflaboratory with scientific instruments and equipment, organizing training programs, and sharing of

information by organizing meetings, workshops and conferences.

Inauguration of the Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography The Sino-Nepal joint Research Centre for Geography was established and inaugurated in both the

institutions.

Central Department of Geography, TU, Kathmandu, Nepal

The Sino – Nepal Joint Research Center for Geography was inaugurated on 28 April 2014 in the premises

of Central Department of Geography, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. The center was formally opened by

cutting the ribbon jointly by Mr. Bishow Prakash Pandit, Secretary of Ministry of Education, Government

of Nepal; Prof. Gunanidhi Neupane, Rector and Acting Vice-Chancellor of TU; Dr. Bal Mukunda

Bhandari, Director, the Centre of International Relation, TU; Prof Padma Chandra Poudel, the Head,

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Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography May 2017

Central Department of Geography, TU from Nepal; and Prof. Deng Wei, Director of Institute of

Mountain Hazards & Environment (IMHE), CAS; and Prof. Donghong Xiong of IMHE from China.

Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment, CAS, Chengdu, China

The Sino-Nepal joint Research Centre for Geography was opened jointly by Prof. Deng Wei, Director

General of IMHE, CAS and Prof. Gunanidhi Neupane, Rector, TU. The Director of the Centre of

International Relation, Dr. Bal Mukunda Bhandari and the Head of the Central Department of Geography

Prof. Padma Chandra Poudel were also present in the inaugural ceremony of the Sino-Nepal Joint

Research Centre for Geography in Institute of Mountain Hazard and Environment, CAS in Chengdu,

China.

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Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography May 2017

Establishment of Joint Research Laboratory in CDG With support from CAS and MOST, the IMHE set up one joint research laboratory in CDG, TU with

scientific instruments and equipment for environmental monitoring focusing on testing of soil and

water. The research laboratory is equipped with the following instruments and equipment.

Atomic absorption spectrophotometer, UV/VIS spectrophotometer, Air-blowing drier, High speed bench

centrifuge; Electric-heated thermostatic water bath cauldron, Sample pulverizer for plant and soil

samples, Vertical pressure steam sterilizer, Magnetic strirrer, Thermostat shaking incubato, Acidimeter,

Turbidmeter, Electronic balance, Flame photometer, Axotometer, Pure water meter, Soil sampler, Test-

bed Nylon sieve, Stainless steel soil sieve, Refrigerator etc.

This research laboratory was also inaugurated at the same function organized to inaugurate the Sino-

Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography on 28 April 2014.

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Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography May 2017

Training Programs IMHE organized first training program for the faculties and administrative staffs of CDG, TU to with

objective of enhancing experimental and laboratory management skills from 11 June – 10 July, 2014 in

Chengdu. Dr. Moti Lal Ghimire, Associate Professor; Mr. Sher Bahadur Gurung, Lecturer and Mr. Gyanu

Raja Maharjan, Head Office Assistant of CDG participated in this training program. The second training

program was organized from 10- 28 April, 2017. It was attended by Mr. Umesh Kumar Mandal,

Professor; Mr. Dhyanendra Bahadur Rai, Associate Professor; and Mr. Chhabilal Chidi, Lecturer from

CDG, TU.

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Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography May 2017

Scientific Study One of the objectives of the joint research centre is to understand the environmental and development

processes in the mountain areas through field studies. Both institutions have their own Journal- Journal

of Mountain Sciences (both in Chinese and English language) of the Institute of Mountain Hazards and

Environment, CAS and the Geographical Journal of Nepal of the Central Department of Geography,

Tribhuvan University. The results and findings of the joint field studies in the form of research article will

be published in these journals. But it is not limited only in these journals. Depending on the nature of

research articles, those can be published in other national and international journals as well.

Research Expedition to Rasuwa District, Nepal

The Gorkha earthquake of April 2015, killed more than 8,000 people, damaged properties and

infrastructure such as road, bridges, hydropower projects. It also caused may geohazards such as

landslides, landslide dam and outburst floods. Rasuwa was one of the severly affected districts from the

earthquake. Arniko highway linking Nepal and China was damaged severly. As a result the international

trade between China and Nepal via Kodari and Khasa (Jamu) was closed. The Chinese government

opened another route for international trade via Kerog (Jiollion) along Bhote Koshi/Trisuli river and large

part of the basin area in Nepal lies in Rasuwa district. It is in this context that a scientific visit in Rasuwa

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Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography May 2017

district with objective of assessing the environmental and livehood changes due to earthquake and

opening of new international trade route was proposed.

Scientist from both the IMHE and CDG visited Rasuwa district from 13 March 2016. This study visit was

coordinated by Dr. Hridaya Lal Koirala, Professor, Central Department of Geography. Other team

members of CDG were Dr. Narendra Raj Khanal, Professor and Mr. Dhyanendra Bahadur Rai, Associate

Professor. A five member team of scientists from IMHE - Dr. Jianqiang Zhang, Dr. Wei Zhao, Dr. Jun

Zhou, Dr. Xi Nan, and Dr. Jifei Zhang scientist from IMHE participated in the field studies.

Hazard and Risk Assessment

With financial support from Bhote Koshi Power Company Pvt. Ltd., a joint study on the assessment of

hazards in Poiqu/Bhote Koshi basin with focus on impacts on Upper Bhote Koshi Hydroelectricity Project

from the flash flood of on July 05, 2016 and the potential risk to the project is being carried out. IMHE

has been assessing the hazard along Poiqu basin in the upper part in China and CDG in Bhote Koshi in

the downstream area.

Exchange Visit The Head, Central Department was invited by the Institute of Mountain Hazard and Environment, CAS to

attend the closing ceremony of the training on April 28, 2017 and discuss on future collaborative

research. Discussion on the concept and proposal in the three areas was held with the principal

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Sino-Nepal Joint Research Centre for Geography May 2017

investigator. Those proposals are i) Study on Eco-Environmental Risk and Ecosystem Based Adaptation

Management for Abandoned Farmland In The Mountain Region of Nepal and China led by Prof. Wang

Yukuan, IMHE; ii) Soil and Water Resources Utiliazation in Nepal led by Prof. Donghong Xiong, and iii)

the Mechanism and Early warning Model on Giant Transboundary Mountain Hazards Chain in

Himalaya led by Prof. Chen Ningsheng. Discussion was also held with Prof. Deng Wei and his team for

field study in Koshi Basin. In addition, discussion was also held for further development of Sino-Nepal

Joint Research Centre for Geography and its was felt that there is need to form management and

academic committees involving the scientists from both the institute and develop formal working

procedures.

Central Department of Geography

Tribhuvan University

Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal

Institute of Mountain Hazards and Environment

Chinese Academy of Sciences

Chengdu, China