I was at the international training school on Atmospheric brown clouds (ABC) held in Kathmandu yesterday. The international school held every two years, by internationally prominent atmospheric scientists, provide a theoretical background and an overview of current knowledge on various aspects of atmospheric brown clouds and climate change. The fourth of its kind, this school is led by Dr. Mark Lawrence (MPIC-Germany), Dr. Maheswar Rupakheti (AIT-UNEP RRC.AP, Thailand), and Dr. Arnico Panday (U. Virginia, USA).
Mona’s invitation to come spend a weekend at his living quarters inside Kule Khani III project, in Nibuwatar was long overdue. Amidst last minute changes, we decided to take up on his offer and packed our bags with bare essentials and loads of hors d’oeuvres for the night. There were four of us who agreed on the commute – Dhungel, Gauri, Bhatte (a soon to be groom) and myself, amongst two motorbikes – an almost bedridden Pulsar 180 DTSi and a relatively newer Yamaha FZR.
About 60 kilometres from Kathmandu, lay Nibuwatar via the Pharphing -Indra Sarowar –Kule Khani route. From Kathmandu via Kirtipur to Pharphing and after taking the fork upper right from Pharphing, onwards to Nibuwatar we went. The road snaked uphill with potholes in the decades old bitumen road. From Lama Gaun onwards, about 11 kilometres of dusty jolting roads punctuated the total length. As we ascended towards Indra Sarowar (the reservoir for Kule Khani Hydro-power), the wind chill factor grew and I considered myself fortunate to have remembered to bring along my woollen cap; Gauri on the other hand, made do with his North Face hoodie. Continue reading “Nibuwatar Chronicles”
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development – ICIMOD‘s Asia Pacific Mountain Network (APMN) is just out with its winter issue. This special issue on ‘Youth and Climate Change’ has been compiled to underscore the International Year of Youth (IYY) 2010-2011; COP 16 in Cancun, Mexico; and the increasing interest of young people in taking part in activities related to climate change issues. It contains the views of young people, information about various opportunities, an APMN youth activity review, and other features. This issue was formally launched by Mr. Daan Boom, APMN Coordinator and Integrated Knowledge Management Programme Manager, ICIMOD, coinciding with COP 16 meeting later today.
