Nepal proposes regional space cooperation for monitoring climate risks

BANGKOK:- Nepal has put forth three proposals on disaster preparedness in the ongoing ‘Fifth Ministerial Conference on Space Applications for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific’ underway in Thailand. 

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, floated the proposal of Asia Pacific level cooperation for space monitoring of climate hazards during the conference organized by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in Bangkok on Wednesday. The event is being held from October 28 to 29.

In his address on the theme of ‘Harnessing space applications for a resilient and inclusive future through enhanced regional cooperation’ in the conference, Minister Shrestha said time has come for forging a regional cooperation with space technology in order to cope with increasing disasters posed by climate change.

“Nepal wishes to highlight three priorities for our collective consideration. First, establish high-mountain hazards as a sustained priority of regional space cooperation. We encourage systematic satellite monitoring of unstable slopes and glacial lakes as an integral part of regional monitoring and early warning arrangements. Second, translate data into practical guidance for timely action. Alongside access to satellite imagery, countries need ready-to-use information, shared analytical tools and trained professionals who can support informed decisions when every minute matters. Third, ensure equitable and affordable access to space-based information and services. All countries should be able to benefit from these capabilities, regardless of whether they operate their own satellites, particularly when human lives are at risk,” the Minister explained in the address.

Minister Shrestha informed the global community that Nepal’s recent experience shows urgent need to strengthen our ability to understand and respond to complex disasters. “We can turn space-based information into practical decisions, and regional cooperation into services that people can use,” he said, adding that the Asia Pacific has growing satellite capabilities, more open data and powerful digital tools. But, many institutions are in dire need of skills, resources and systems to use them in their daily work.

Closing this gap is a priority for Nepal, Minister Shrestha reminded. He shared that on the morning of August 26, nearly 680,000 text warnings had reached mobile phones along the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river corridor. In October, around 200,000 more helped communities downstream move to safety.

The Minister brought to light the study that ICIMOD and UNDP had identified 47 potentially dangerous glacial lakes across three Himalayan river basins shared by Nepal, China and India. Twenty-one of them are in Nepal. “With the Green Climate Fund and UNDP, Nepal has begun work to lower and monitor four of the most dangerous: Thulagi, Lower Barun, Lumding and Hongu,” he informed.

Shrestha further argued because it is not possible to build concrete on each mountain, many slopes and lakes are not reachable. So, the eyes must be in space. “We need continuous satellite observation of glaciers, lakes and slopes, checked against measurements on the ground. We need artificial intelligence to sift what the satellites see, and digital simulations that show how a hazard would travel downstream. Above all, that knowledge must reach decision-makers and families in time,” Shrestha addressed.

The Minister viewed a satellite can detect a danger in the mountains. “Only a warning that reaches a family downstream can save a life. The river systems of the Hindu Kush Himalaya support the lives and livelihoods of nearly two billion people. Their protection is a shared regional responsibility.”

He underscored need of ensuring practical impact of collective efforts as the Asia-Pacific Plan of Action advances towards 2030.

Minister Shrestha will also address another event at Asian Institute of Technology on Thursday. He is scheduled to return home coming Saturday. (RSS)