International Conference on The Great Himalayas: Climate, Health, Ecology, Management and Conservation January 12-15, 2004. Sponsored by: The Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management Society Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Nepal Himalayan Resources Institute, Kathmandu, Nepal

Proceedings NEW MAY 2004

Programme and Abstract Book

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Conference Co-Chairs:

Subodh Sharma, Kathmandu University, Nepal
Mohiuddin Munawar, Fisheries & Oceans, Canada

Organizing Committee:

R. Baudo, CNR, Instituto Italiano Idrobiologia, Italy
P. den Besten, Institute for Inland Water management and Waste Water Treatment-RIZA, The Netherlands
G. Dave, Göteborg University, Sweden
T. Edsall, USGS, USA
A. R. G. Price, Warwick University, UK
D.F. Malley, PDK Projects, Canada
Luo Jing, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
S. P. Singh, Kumaon University, India
R.K. Sinha, Patna University, India
A.R. Khan, Kashmir University, India
M. A. Ao, Nagaland University, India
O. P. Sharma, Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, India
M. F. Bari, BUET, Bangladesh
A. Rashid, Pakistan CRWR, Pakistan
D. D. Sharma, Forestry Services Division, Bhutan
Tin Htun, Institute of Forestry, Myanmar
D. R. Bhuju, Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, Nepal
P. Shrestha, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Mr. Ram Bhandari, President, Himalayan Resources Institute (HIRI)

Publication Committee:

M. Munawar, Chief Editor, AEHMS
I. F. Munawar, Managing Editor, AEHMS
S. G. Lawrence, Technical Editor, AEHMS

Local Arrangement Committee:

Introduction:

The Great Himalaya is one of the world’s most fragile ecosystems. It has remained delicately balanced for centuries and has been a place of tremendous biodiversity. Only in recent years has the ecosystem been disturbed in various parts due to both anthropogenic and natural impact. The mountain chain is young and is still geologically active. The Indian landmass continues to move towards the Eurasian landmass as a result of which the Himalaya rise by a few millimeters every year. Due to this, the Himalaya is still structurally unstable.

The term "Himalaya" was introduced by the ancient Indian pilgrims. It is a Sanskrit word meaning “the Abode of Snow”. This majestic range stretches over a distance of about 2500 km from west to east. Its average width ranges from 100 to 400 km. The vast area covered by the mountain range, along with some fantastic altitude gradients, result in the tremendous biodiversity of the Himalayan region. Vegetation and wildlife both change according to altitude and the resulting differences in climatic conditions.

With nine of the world's fourteen highest peaks, Nepal is a true Himalayan kingdom. The Himalayas cover three fourths of the land in Nepal. It hosts some of the highest, rugged, remote and most difficult terrain in the world. The world's highest mountain peak Mount Everest, other high peaks like Lhotse, Nuptse, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu and the presence of some very beautiful trekking routes attract hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world.

Conference Host, Climate and wear:

Kathmandu University is an institution of high academic standard in Nepal. The architects of Kathmandu University have envisaged it as a truly national institution of higher learning. The university expresses the peoples' will to raise the national consciousness by imparting quality education to its students who can be assets to the nation. The university site is centrally located between the towns of Dhulikhel and Banepa about 28 km from Kathmandu on about 13 hectares of open land. The twin towns of Dhulikhel and Banepa can accommodate a great number of students and are growing as university towns. They have a pleasing and peaceful environment to support the educational atmosphere and joy of learning. The snow covered Himalayan range from Annapurna to Mt. Everest provides a visual background to the university site.

Nepal has four climatic seasons (a) Spring: March-May (b) Summer: June-August (c) Autumn: September-November (d) Winter: December-February. Weather in the month of January in Kathmandu is from Minimum 5 to Maximum 22 degree Celsius. Clothing depends on place and time; however, it is recommended to have both light and warm clothing. In the mountain areas warm clothes are generally a must.

Reaching Kathmandu:

By Air:

Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport in Nepal. Royal Nepal Airlines- the national flag carrier of Nepal and other International Airlines operate flights to Kathmandu. The International Airlines operating their flights into Kathmandu include: Austrian Airlines, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, China South-West Airlines, Druk Air, lndian Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, Quatar Airways and Thai lnternational.

Domestic Air Service:

The Royal Nepal Airlines operates an extensive network of air service in the interior parts of Nepal. Beside Royal Nepal Airlines the other domestic airlines such as Asian Helicopters, Necon Air, Cosmic Air, Mountain Air, Sita Airlines and Buddha Airways also provide regular and charter services to different popular destinations.

Entering Nepal by Road:

The entry points at Nepal-India border are; Kakarbhitta, Birgunj, Belahiya (Bhairahawa), Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, and Mahendra Nagar. The only entry point at Nepal-China border is Kodari.

Kathmandu is connected with India through the fertile plains of the Terai by the most picturesque highways. Visitors are permitted to drive their own cars but their vehicles must possess an international carnet (permit). There are regular bus services to Kathmandu from all the border points. The interior parts of the country are also linked with a number of roads. Buses for the different parts of the country are available at the Gongabu bus terminal, which is located near Balaju.

Other Transport Arrangements:

There are taxi and auto rickshaws (three wheelers) with fare meters in Kathmandu. Motorcycles, bicycles and rickshaws are also available.

Passport and Visa:

All visitors to Nepal must hold valid passports and visa. The Royal Nepalese Embassies or consulates abroad or the entry points or the Immigration Offices provide a visa upon the presentation of a valid passport, two passport size photos and a payment of visa fees. Tourists can extend their visas at the Department of Immigration, Bhrikuti Marg, Kathmandu. Entry Visa to Nepal is easily available at the Tribhuvan International Airport of Nepal.

Embarkation and Disembarkation Cards:

Tourists are required to fill up disembarkation and embarkation cards upon their arrival and departure.

Currency and Foreign Exchange:

The unit of the Nepalese Currency is Rupee. One Nepali Rupee (NRs) is made up of 100 paisa. Nepali Rupee comes in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1,000 denominations.

Foreign visitors other than Indian nationals are required to pay their hotel bills and air tickets in foreign currency. However the other payments must always be made in Nepalese currency. The foreign currency exchange counters of different banks are available at different places in the city. Foreign currencies must be exchanged only through the banks or authorized foreign exchange.

Tourists other than Indian are not allowed to import or export Indian currency. The rate of exchange of the foreign currencies is determined by the Nepal Rastra Bank and is announced in the press daily. The present exchange rate 1 USD is equivalent to NRs. 78.50.

Time:

Nepal time is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT and 15 minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time.

Suggested topics: Great Himalayan Climate, Meteorology, and Hydrology Ecosystem Health of Mountain Ecosystems Glacier environment, Indigenous Systems Climate change and Monsoons Long range transport and Asian Brown Cloud Water quality and health Waste water treatment/alternatives Biodiversity and Ecology Energy and Environment Pest and Pesticides Watershed Management Range Ecosystem management Nature reserve and Wildlife management Agricultural Systems Environmental Ecosystem modeling Urbanization and Occupational health Deforestation/soil erosion in urbanized Himalayan environment Waste management and Ecotourism Impact of tourism Emerging technologies for Mountain ecosystems Environmental education for natives and foreigners International research networking

Publication Plans:

Manuscripts originating from the conference (oral and posters) will be considered for publication in a peer reviewed book (Ecovision World Monograph Series) and/or a special issue of the AEHMS journal: Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management (Taylor & Francis, Philadelphia, USA) depending on the nature and type of manuscripts. All papers will undergo standard peer review and technical editing. The Chief Editor and the AEHMS Publication Committee will decide the suitability of each paper for one of the publication venues mentioned above. Manuscripts for publication can be submitted at anytime up to the deadline of January 15, 2004 (at end of the conference). Please email manuscripts to Dr. Munawar, Chief Editor, AEHMS: munawarm@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Instruction to Authors can be found on the AEHMS website: www.aehms.org

AEHMS Annual Membership:

Individual:

$40.00 USD for Developing Countries including 4 issues of the journal and free on line access
$55.00 for other Countries including 4 issues of the journal and free on line access

Institutional Libraries:

$341.00 USD including 4 issues of the journal and on line access

Ecovision World Monograph Series:

The peer-reviewed book based on papers originating from the conference must be pre-paid at the conference to qualify for a special discounted price:

Developing countries: $45.00 USD
Other countries: $90.00 USD

Abstracts:

English is the official language. Abstracts must be submitted by email by August 31, 2003 to: bonnellk@dfo-mpo.gc.ca as a Word attachment. A message stating oral or poster presentation preference is to be enclosed with the abstract. Abstracts may also be submitted on disk to AEHMS, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 867 Lakeshore Road, P.O. Box 5050, Burlington, Ontario, Canada, L7R 4A6. Abstracts have a 300 word limit. Underline the presenting author and include affiliation, address and tel/fax/email of the presenting author only. Abstracts should include objectives, methods, results, and conclusions (do not include these as headings in the abstract). Authors will be notified of acceptance by October 31, 2003.

Space is limited, Registration is on a first come, first serve basis

For participants from Nepal, India, students from SAARC Countries, Local/National NGOs, INGO from Nepal, Please send registration forms to:

For Participants paying in USD, send registration forms to: