Administrator
of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Dr Rajiv Shah stressed
on importance of science and technology in development of Hindu Kush Himalayas.
During
a visit to International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) today,
he also discussed the role of science and technology in development and to
experience firsthand the dynamic tools being developed to help monitor the
environment and inform development decisions in the Hindu Kush Himalayas.
"ICIMOD
has shown how vital satellite information is to monitoring agricultural
production, forest fires and responding to droughts and floods," he said,
adding that through partnerships like SERVIR, scientists will be able to use
cutting-edge technologies to monitor complex challenges as they happen—helping
to save lives and build more resilient communities.
ICIMOD
scientists presented interactive tools that have been developed as a part of
the USAID-funded SERVIR Himalaya initiative, which was created to bring NASA’s
satellite data together with ICIMOD scientists to develop tools that provide
innovative solutions to meet development needs including Forest Fire Detection
and Monitoring System for Nepal, which can be used by forest managers to
improve their ability to respond to forest fires; Agricultural Monitoring to
Support Food Security in the Eastern Himalayas, which can estimate crop yields
to enable countries to take appropriate measures to avoid famine; Land Use and
Land Cover Change for Nepal, which can be used to perform vulnerability
assessments, food and livelihood security analysis, and to determine Nepal’s
reference emissions level to support REDD programmes; and Glacier and Alpine
Hazards to Development and Habitation in the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region.
Shah
also took part in a high-level panel discussion with vice chairperson of
National Planning Commission Dr Rabindra Kumar Shakya, member of parliament Gagan
Thapa and director general of ICIMOD Dr David Molden.
During
the discussion, panelists discussed possible ways newly available data from the
region can be applied by decision makers in policy and development projects to
benefit the people of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region.
Shah,
on the occasion, stressed the importance of open and improved access to data,
and the need for local ownership and engagement in development decision-making.
“It is
hard to fix a problem that you cannot see,” he said, adding, "and by
harnessing science and technology, we can put critical information in the hands
of the people most affected by natural disasters."
At the
same time, we can encourage civic participation in the planning and response
processes—ensuring that government and citizens are collaborating on ways to
create sustainable economic growth in the Hindu Kush region, Shah added.
Highlighting the role of science and technology
in improving regional cooperation, Molden noted that many of the region’s
biggest challenges are transboundary in nature. "ICIMOD works to provide
decision makers across the Hindu Kush Himalayas – from community leaders to
policy makers – with evidence-based knowledge and a platform through which they
can work together to address these challenges," he added.
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