@ICIMaD

A REP( 19 2

ANNUAL REPORT 1992

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Developnlent

© Copyright 1993

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

All rights reserved

Citation:

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, 1993. Annual Report 199::>

G.P.O. Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal

Typesetting: ICIMOD Publications' Unit

ISSN 1019·1356

Please direct all enquiries and comments to:

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

G.P.O. Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal

Telephone:

Fax:

(977-1)

(977-1)

525313

524509

Telex:

Cable:

2439 ICIMOD NP

ICIMOD, NEPAL

Table of Contents

Foreword

Introduction

Part I: Major Events of the Year

Highlights of Programme Activities

Part II: Thematic Research and Development Programmes

Programme I: Programme II: Programme III: Programme IV:

Mountain Farming Systems Mountain Population and Employment Mountain Infrastructure and Technology Mountain Environmental Management

Part III: Dissemination and Action Programmes

Programme V: Programme VI: Programme VII: Programme VIII:

Documentation and Infonnation Exchange Natural Resources' Assessment and Monitoring Area Development Planning and Implementation Institutional and Professional Development

Part IV: Information on Administration and Finance

The Board of Governors The Professional and Senior Administratiw Staft of ICIMOD Income and Expenditure Account (1985-1992) Auditors' Report for 1992

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Page

3

4

7

8 12 15 17

23

24 26 28 31

36 17 38 40

49

Foreword

One event of great interest for 1992 and beyond was the UNCED Conference on the Environment

and Development which took place in Rio de Janeiro in June. ICIMOD, together with the United

Nations' University (UNU) and the International Mountain Society (lMS), had launched a Mountain

Agenda to draw international attention to the problems and potentials of the mountains. The report

provided hy the UNCED Meeting reinforced ICIMOD's confidence in the issues it had selected as

heing the most pertinent to integrated mountain development. Not only are the areas of concern for

ICIMOD highlighted by Agenda 21, but its call for the establishment of a mountain knowledge bank

reinforces the very reasoning behind the establishment of the Centre.

From February 17th to 20th, 1992, an International Workshop was held in Kathmandu to discuss the

tindings and implications of Phases One and Two of the Mountain Off-farm Employment Project.

From June 1st to the 4th, 1992, a Seminar on Himalayan Community Forestry was held at Hattiban,

Kathmandu, under the auspices of the Mountain Farming Systems' Programme. The Seminar was

unique in its informal grassroots' style and in the frank exchanges between Indian and Nepalese

Foresters. In addition, joint workshops and seminars were held throughout the year in collaboration

with other institutions.

In 1992, a numher of changes took place at the Centre. These changes will hopefully have long-term

beneticial impacts on its ability to meet the challenges inherent in the field of integrated mountain

development. The Seventeenth Board Meeting of ICIMOD was held in Kathmandu from April 11th

to 15th, 1992. During the Meeting the Board approved the Centres's evaluation procedures and

established a Selection Committee for the recruitment of a Director of Programmes and of a Director

of Administration and Finance. The Selection Committee met several times and finalised its choices

on 26 June 1992. The Director of Programmes began work on the 1 st of July and the Director of

Administration on the 20th of August 1992. This heralded the start of a series of internal management

changes at ICIMOD, which hopefully will help complete the movement towards a decentralised

working style and internationalisation of the Centre's practices.

The year has been encouraging in terms of tinancial support also. In addition to the continuing core

support from our core donors (the governments of Germany, Switzerland, and Austria and the

ICIMOD member countries), the Government of the Netherlands provided funding for Institutional

Strengthening in Promoting Sustainable Farming Systems over a period of four years. The

International Research and Development Centre (lDRC), Canada, also supported two closely-linked

applied and action-research activities. Discussions with the European Commission, concerning

Mountain Risk Engineering Phase III, have been very encouraging and will hopefully lead to an

expansion of training activities in this important field. The Royal Government of Norway agreed to

provide funding for Design and Testing of a Regional Programme on Mini/Micro-hydropower for

Mountain Development on the 10th of December, 1992. Support from the Asian Development Bank

for Mountain Farming, Area Development, and GIS applications continued. The Ford Foundation

supported activities concluded this year but discussions on follow-up activities are proceeding.

Winding up where one started, with the UNCED Conference on the Environment and Development,

it is clear that the Centre has much to offer, buth within the Region and to other mountain regions

facing similar problems. As we look forward to 1993, we shall be making a concerted effort to reach

out into the HKH Region m the context of demonstration of practical applications of the knowledge

gained and in the context of sharing this knowledge with all those who need and can use it

E.F. Tacke

Director General

Introduction

t this point, looking back on 1992, and ~ we are about to enter the Centre's tenth anniversary year, ould be well to examine not only the whole of the previous year but the fundamental changes in

style that have occurred and are still occurring in rural communities, especially rural mountain munities."

1992, organisations and

oividuals everywhere were

lking about the environ­

ent. Much discussion was

pcussed upon destruction to

e environment, population

tarrying capacity of the

and, mitigation of disasters,

~nd land use. Issues that

ave been in the forefront of

ICIMOD's concern.

Dr. E.F. Tacke: Director General

Where did all this leave

ICIMOD in 1992? On the

extremely important level of

the knowledge gained &ince

December 1983, this has

been a year in which the

sharing of that knowledge

increased suhstantially. This

has been evident in all of

ICIMOD's programme work

and in an increasing demand

for literature provided by

ICIMOD. At this point, looking back

on 1992, and as we are about to enter the Centre's tenth

anniversary year, it would be well to examine not only

the whole of the previous year but also the fundamental

changes in lifestyle that have occurred and are still

occurring in rural communities, especially rural mountain

communities. To meet the challenges of these changes

without destroying the social fabric has always been an

issue for human communities, whether they be from the

mountains or from the plains, and it has been a challenge:

t~tcing homo sapiens throughout the whole of hi.,

chequered history.

It should always be remembered, in discussing the w·;ues

of environment and development, that animals adapt to

the environment as they tind it, if they cannot adapt they

move or become extinct - a happening that has occurred

time and again throughout the millennia - man is the only

animal that adapts the environment to his needs. This is

a tactor that deserves to be remembered with due humility

when we discuss the burning issues of environment and

development which will, no doubt, remain with us well

into the 21 st century.

In the following pages we have traced the development

of ICIMOD programmes and their practical demonstration

in the tield. During the year, innovative workshops have

been held on agroforestry, agricultural technologies,

sustainable mountain agriculture, regional hydrology, and

off-farm employment. It is pleasing to note that the

success of these workshops lay not only in the innovative

ideas discussed and the quality of participation but also in

the fact that the management tor each of them was run in

cooperation with other organisations.

On the operations' Side, the structural changes that the

Centre underwent in 1992; starting with the appomtment

of the Director of Programmes and the Director of

Administration; contributed to the changes in working

style that were necessary in order to implement the

practical demonstrations referred to above. Subsequently,

the Board approved three appointments to the position of

Division Head. The Directors' contracts were for a four­

year term and those of Division Heads for a three-year

term. This marked the beginning of an important

transition that the Centre had embarked upon following

the Quinquennial Review Report. Further changes will

take place, following the approval of the 18th Board

meeting (November 30th to December 1st) to the Centre's

introducing a modified U.N. pay scale and personnel

rules and regulations. Obviously this will lead to further

internationalisation of its fabric in terms of personnel and

operations.

We might say that movement, on the part of ICIMOD, in

1992, has been in two directions - internal and external;

internal movement took place in the Centre's management

structure and external movement })egan as ICIMOD's

programme began to reach out and put into effect

grassroots' applications of knowledge gained over eight

years of operation. Obviously, the Centre has gained in

institutional confidence, based on which it can begin to

offer longer term positions to its key professionals. None

of this would have been possible if 1992 had not been an

encouraging year financiall y. Continuing core support was

received from the governments of Germany, Switzerland,

and Austria, as well as from the ICIMOD member

countries. Without such support there would be far too

heavy a reliance on project funding and the Centre's long-

2

Mr. Ronald H. Dery assumed the position of Director ~

of Administration with effect from 20 August 1992. Mr. Dery is a U.S. national and has worked in similar capacities for the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources, the International Centre for Dian·hoeal Disease Research, and the FAO Fisheries' Department. He has had several years of work experience in both Bangladesh and Nepal.

term plans for institutional development and consolidation

would be hampered.

At this point, ICIMOD's ninth year, it goes without

saying that the Centre owes a great deal to all its donors.

Without their support and encouragement for ICIMOD

projects, the Centre would not be as strong as it is today.

We look forward to continuation of their support in

future

In more than one context, changes introduced in 1992

cannot be assessed in the context of that year alone, but,

rather, they should be seen as a result of the experien't'

gained over nine years of work in a unique branch of th.::

development field; that of mountain development. The

impact of these changes cannot be seen now, but

obviously they will have made their mark by the time that

ICIMOD is on the threshold of its next decennial.

Part I of the Annual Report covers Highlights of

Programme Activities; Part II, the Thematic Research and

Development Programmes; and Part III, Dissemination

and Action Programmes. Part IV contains information on

Administration and Finance.

... Dr. Mahesh Banskota assumed the position of Director of Programmes with effect from I July 1992. Dr. Banskota is of Nepalese nationality and has worked for ICIMOD in various capacities since Julv 1984. He was appointed alief Programme Coordinator in June 1987 and was redesignated al"

Acting Director of Programmes in November 1991.

Part I

Major Events of the Year

Highlights of Programme Activities

The key programme activities are briefly described in this section. An attempt has been made to deal with the principal emphases, and these will then be elaborated upon in Parts II and III .

The Challenge

This year has been very encouraging in the context of

staffing and internal management. The appointments of

the two directors and Division Heads on longer contract

periods than heretofore is a commencement towards the

internationalisation of the Centre. This also reflects the

increasing institutional confidence and permanence that

the Centre has acquired in that it can now begin to offer

longer term positions to its key professionals.

An overriding factor in this increasing institutional

contidence and permanence was that 1992 was a very

encouraging year in the context ot resource mobilisatIOn.

In addition to our core donors, the GoVt"rnment of the

Netherlands provided support for a period of four years

for Institutional Strengthening in Promoting Sustainable

Mountain Farming Systems. In addition, the Royal

Government of Norway and IDRC are supporting

Mini/Micro Hydropower Development Projects and

Mountain Resource Management respectively and

discussions with the European Community concerning the

next phase of the Mountain Risk Engineering Project have

4

been very encouraging. The

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

and Ford Foundation continued

with their appreciable support of

the Centre. The ADB is

supporting projects covering

three programme groups, and

the Ford Foundation is

supporting two activities.

ICIMOD also cooperated with

FAO in the development of a

Watershed Management Training

Programme for Mountain Areas.

Mountain Farming Systems

The Mountain Farming Systems'

Division was engaged 10 the organisation and

implementation of three important activities. Under

Sustainable Agriculture II (supported by the Asian

Development Bank, see Annual Report 1991), the focus

was on continuing the work on identification, review,

and dissemination of replicable development experiences

in the HKH Region within the Mountain Perspective

Framework. A number of field-based case studies in

China, India, and Nepal (c;upported by the ford

Foundation, see Annual Report 1991), examining

avaIlable evidence rer-:arding trends in mountain

agriculture, resource use, farmerc;' traditional practices,

and modern interventions were completed, and the

findings were presented in a workshop organised in

Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India, from August 1-4 this

year. Work was also initiated in Institutional

Strengthening for Promoting Sustainable Mountain

Farming Systems (supported by the Royal Government of

the Netherlands). This will be implemented in different

phases. Phase I will be used for undertaking reviews of

agricultural institutions in all the ICIMOD Member

countries with emphasis on policy formulation and

implementation, research and development activities, and

provision of agricultural support services. A regional

meeting will be organised early next year to discuss and

identify institutional strengthening measures needed in

different countries (Phase II of the project).

Population and Employment

The two-year programme on off-farm employment

(Annual Report 1991) was completed and the findings

discussed in a regional workshop. The workshop

proceedings and the case studies have been published.

Following the recommendations of this regional

workshop, an indicative proposal outlining a number of

areas for further work, focussing on action-oriented

research, has been prepared. A number of other potential

areas in the field of employment generation are also being

examined in such tields as Human Resources, Women and

Sustainable Development, and Tourism.

Mountain Infrastructure and Technology

There were no specific pro¥ramme activities during 1992,

Training in GIS Applications

The demand for training in GIS Applications has

increased so rapidly that ICIMOD is beginning to face

difficulties in terms of keeping pace with the growing

requests. This has been mainly on account of the high

quality facilities established by ICIMOD and the efforts it

has made to promote the development of national

capacities for practical use of GIS tools in planning.

Practical applications are being demonstrated through a

wide-ranging number of case studies undertaken in the

context of training exercises.

Area-based Planning and Development

Emphasis here was on the completion of the Economic

and Environmental Development Plan for the Bagmati

Zone in Nepal. The inter-disciplinary and inter-divisional

study team has completed field work in the districts and

is currently putting together the development plans for the

study area. The plans are being prepared in close consul­

tation with the district and national agencies and policy­

makers.

as the expected programme funding only materialised in Networking and Information Exchange

December (Mini\Micro Hydropower Development) or was

still under consideration at the turn of the year (Mountain

Risk Engineering). A number of reviews regarding energy

and appropriate technology in mountain areas was

completed.

Mountain Environmental Managt'mt'nt

During 1992 the implementation of site-specific

rehabilitation of degraded lands in mountalD ecosystems

commenced. The activities are in varying stages of

development in different member countries. As this is the

tirst on-the-ground collaboration with national agencies,

the mechanisms for organising the activities at field level

are taking time. The Second Regional Hydrology Meeting

was successfully completed and, based upon its

recommendations, discussion of a draft proposal for

long-term work in regional hydrology is currently

ongoing.

Information disseminatton focal points have been

established and are operational in a number of member

countries. Many. publications are now being exchanged

through these focal points. Networking in other more

specific subjects, such as regional hydrology and GIS

applications, is also being developed. The acquisition of

documents by the Library is continuing and the number of

institutions and individuals receiving ICIMOD

publications has been steadily increasing.

Professional and Institutional Development

A number of applied research activities has been

undertaken under this programme - mainly as individual

research work. The ICIMOD work on the Himalayan

Honey Bee has made excellent progress. Several research

awards were also given to solicit the understanding of

institutional aspects of natural resources' management.

5

6

Publications

1. Annual Report 1991 2. Newsletter No. 16 - July 1992 3. Catalogue of Publications - Autumn 4. ICIMOD brochure and Thematic Programme brochures 5. Off-farm Employment and Mountain Development (Workshop Report)

Case Studies

Application of GIS for Natural Resource Management in Dh2ding District, Nepal - ME=NRIS Case Study Series

Books

User Group Forestry in the Far-Western Region of Nepal: Emerging Commonalitiec; a'1d Variations (Case Studies from Baitadi and Achham) - Ram B. alhetri and TulS! R. Pandey

Occasional Papers

No. 18. Hydrological Aspects of the Himalayan Region, - Donald Alford No. 19. Sustainability of the Environmental Resource Base and Development Priorities of a Mountain

Community, Bhardeo, Nepal - Kk Pamiay No. 20. Seabuckthorn: A Multipurpose Plant Species for Fragile Mountains - Lu Rongsen No. 21. The Land, The Farmer, and the Future: A Soil Fertility Management Strategy for Nepal -

Brian Carson No. 22. Dynamics of Highland Agriculture - Liu Yanhua

MFS Discussion Papers

No. 23. Global Change and Environmental Risk in Mountain Ecosystems - N.S. lodha No. 24. Sustainable Land Use Involving Trees in the Himalayan Region: Perspectives and Policy

Implications - N.S. lodha No. 25. Agricultural Growth and Sustainability: Perspectives and Experiences from the Himalayas -

N.S.lodha No. 26. Transformation of Mountain Agriculture: Nepal Case Study - Bhimendra Katwal and Laxman Sah No. 27. Strategies for Sustainable Mountain Agriculture: Chitral District, Pakistan Case Study -

Masood uZ Mulk No. 28. Strategies for Sustainable Mountain Agriculture in the Middle Hills of Nepal Case Study

Sugandha Shrestha and Yanllm Yadav No. 29. Urea Molasses Block: A Feed Supplement for Mountain Areas The Bhutanec;e Experience and Its

Replication Possibilities - luddha P. Bajrachmya No. 30. Management of Pastoral Systems in the Mountains. Experiences and Lessons from We5t Sictll .. ~ r,

China - Sun Qingguo No. 31. Commercialisation of Mountain Agriculture: Expe iences from Miy COLnty lin O!enjef1 f: No. 32. Mountain AgricultlJre' l'1dicators of Unc;uc;taindbility and Options fo' Reversal Sur:andha S/,re tllll No. 33. The Andean Camelids, Llama and Alpaca The Potp'1tia and Prerequ site., for 1r.+rudL.ctior Irtf)

Other Mountain Envronments· JulIO Suma,. ard 11eillndro (amIT/O

MPE Discussion Papers

No.8. rhe Management of Forest Resources i,l Sindhu Pa crok and Kabhre Polanchok Dl5trll,b o· Nepal - Robert 1. fisher, Hukun! Bdr. Singh Deepak R. Pandey, and Helmut Lang

No. 12. Off-Farm Employment in the Hengduan Mountain Region of Sichuan Province, China Cheng Guojie, Olen Zhijian, Huang Xiyi, Wang Fti, Yu Side, and Zhang lun

No. 13. Off-Farm Employment in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan Mian M. Zazeer and Saiyeda Zia AI-lalally

No. 14. Off-Farm Employment in the Hill and Mountain Regions of Nepal - lanardan Khatri-aletri and Bhimendra Katwal

MEM Series

No.8. Population Dynamics, Environment, and Development in the Arun Watershed, Nepal - Pitamber Shamra

Part II

Thematic Research and

Development Programmes

Programme I Mountain Farming Systems Programme II Mountlli n Population and Employment Programme III Mountain Infrastructure and Technoloxy Programme IV Mounwin Envirownental Management

Mountain Farming Systems

. During 1992, the programme activities of Mountain Farming Systems concentrated on organising research, training, information exchange, and publications in a number of priority areas. The analysis of unsustainability was aimed at developing a better understanding of its dimensions (indicators) on the basis of field studies. A review of successful cases of mountain development was also undertaken.

Highlights

Applied Research Work

(a) Analysis of Unsustainability. One of the major

applied research activities of MFS focussed on the

identitication and documentation of the indicators of

unsustainability (i.e., persistent negative changes) i!l

mountain areas of Nepal, India, and China. Covering

selected locations described as 'hot spots' of

unsustainability (i.e., where most of the negative

changes are taking place simultaneously), the studies

identiti ed over twenty variables that shared negative

trends. These variables related to natural resource

hase, productivity, production tlows, and management

practices. In terms of the identitication and

assessment of these variables, the information

gathering methods involved Rapid Rural Appraisal

(RRA) techniques and group interviews and, in the

case of Nepal, the complementary use of remote

8

sensing and socioeconomic

data. Desk reviews and

synthesis of several past

studies, covering mountain

areas in Nepal and India,

were undertaken using the

framework developed for

tield studies Inventories of

possihle technological

measures to arrest unsus-

tainahi li ty trends were

prepared us ing the

technologies in the pipeline

or those conti ned so far to

areas where they were

developed .

(b) Development and Replication of Successful

Interventions. This part of the programme is a

continuation of work that commenced in 1991.

Seabuckthorn, an underexploited, high mountain,

cold dry zone plant, received major attention from

two aspects: (i) how it was successfully harnessed in

China as a resource that improved farm economies

through agro-industrial processing and how it

upgraded the carrying capacity of degraded support

lands in remote mountain areas and ii) exploratory

surveys in Nepal, India, and Pakistan to assess

Seabuckthorn resources and their traditional uses with

a view to replicating the Chinese experiences in these

three countries.

(c) Polythene Film Technology. Polythene Film

Technology has heen successfully used in different

parts of China (cold areas) to improve plant growth.

The focus of applied research was on the assessment

Adopting plastic film technology

of the usefulness of this technology in other mountain

areas. It is being used by Chinese mountain farmers

to modify the effects of micro-environments to

enhance growth periods, soil moisture conservation,

temperature control for crop growth, and to control

weed growth.

(d) Transformation of Agriculture. Three areas in the

Himalayan region, viz., Himachal Pradesh in India,

Ningnan County in China, and lIam district in

Eastern Nepal, have made successful attempts to

commercialise hill agriculture, thereby improving the

living standards of the people in these areas. Field

studies were carried out in these areas to understand

the processes and factors behind their transformation

with specific focus on their replicability

elsewhere.

(e) Vegetable Seed Production.

production (t I )

seed

) is

an important component of commercial hill

agriculture. Its comparative advantage lies in the cool

climate of mountain areas. It has not been adequately

understood that seed production can be increased

through effective pollination of vegetable crops in

mou'ntain areas. Research efforts focussed on

experimenting with bee pollination and the timings

for different vegetable crops. The research findings

have been incorporated into a manual (guidelines)

prepared especially for extension workers and

farmers.

(t) Agropastoral Farming. Agropastoral farming 10 Tibet

was studied to understand (a) traditional systems of

animal husbandry and livestock resources and (b)

agricultural Jevelopment experiences in the context of

agropastoral systems, with a view to identifying

replicable lessons for the management of livestock

and pasture at high altitudes.

Actilitie's

In 1992 the programme launched a series of activities.

(a) Sustainable Upland Agricultural Training Programme.

A programme focussing on Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT) was organised for

participants from the Hindu Kush-Himalayan

countries in collaboration with the Asian Rural Life

Development Foundation (ARLDF) and the

International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR)

in the Philippines. The multinational group of 11

trainees consisted of scientists, development project

managers, NGO representatives, and extension

workers. After their return they were engaged in

preparing proposals for trial· cum demon'itration plots

for SALT in their respective countries.

(b) Seabuck!horn A~areness Mission. A mission to China

on an awareness-cum-replication feasibility

programme for Seabuckthorn (SBT) was organised

for senior policy-makers and scientists from ICIMOD

member countries. The main objective of the mission

was to develop a better understanding of the Chinese

experience in harnessing this plant in order to

promote SBT in other countries of the HKH. The

mission members, from Bhutan, India, Nepal, and

Pakistan, as well as ICIMOD staff, made plans to

harness SBT resources in their respective countries.

(c) Training in the Mount~in Perspective. A Mountain

Perspective Framework Training Programme was

organised for groups of in-service professionals from

different institutions in India. The Central Himalayan

Rural Action Group (C'HIRAG) and Society for the

Promotion of Wasteland Development (SPWD) - two

NOOs from the Indian Himalayas . and the

Agroeconomic Res<"arch Centre, Shimla, were the key

institutions. Shorter traimng programmes (through

both lectures and exercises) on the mountain

perspective were also conducted for professionals

from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the

FAO's Regional Farm Management Commission for

Asia and the Far East. The framework developed for

understanding the dynamics of unsustainabiIity

formed a part of the training exercise for

collaborating institutions from Nepal, India, and

China.

9

Field Demonstrations

This was another new dimension that commenced in

1992.

a) In the effort to promote the SALT technology in the

Hindu Kush-Himalayan Region, a pilot demonstration

project was estahlished in partnership with the Institute

of Geography, CAS, Chengdu Institute of Biology,

C AS, and the local county leadership of Ningnan

County. The :;cientific staff working In the

estahlishment of thIs demonstration project were

included in the SALT training programme In the

Philippines. This helped the Chinese team to make

appropriate modifications In their SALT demonstratIOn

work.

The progress reports from the Chinese SALT project

highlight its very encouraging development. The latest

reports state that requests for the expansion of the

project have heen received from hoth county leaders

and farmers. It is also reported that the local govern­

ment has asked all local authorities and farmers to do

their hest to make the project a success. Farmers' visits

from other areas have been organised by the local

government to see the project. This field demonstration

in China has proved to be a successful SALT model,

suited to local conditions Similar demonstration work

has ht.'en planned for other <.'ountries if funding for

such al'tlvities hecomes avallahle.

h) Low <.'ost Wat~r Harvesting. System (U'WHSl Thi<;

:-;ystem has heen developed in the Indian Himalay,u;.

Institutions such a ... the Central Himalayan NGO -

CHIRA(J, the (iB Pant Institute for Himalayan

Environment and Development «JBP IHEn). and the

Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Markding

Corporation (HPHPMC) in Himachal are involved in

promoting this in the Indian Himalayas. INSAN

(Institute for Sustainahle Agriculture, Nepal), in

collahoration with ICIMOD, introduced the technology

into Nepal. INS AN staff visited the Indian Himalayas

to assess the workahility of the system in Nepalese hill

conditions. Following their recommendations, ICIMOD

10

and INSAN collaborated to establish 20 such LCWHS

units in the middle hills of Nepal (Kathmandu Valley

and Dolakha district) on a pilot demonstration basis.

c) Development of Seabuckthorn has been taken up as a

major component of MFS activities. It is being field

tested in Nepal. Jomsom was selected as the project

area and nurseries of SBT have been set up at

different altitudes. Different methods of seed

multiplication have been tried and some very useful

results achieved in order to improve methods to

facilitate rapid afforestation using Seabuckthorn.

Land has been selected already In order to commence

afforestation in the next season using the nursery

materIal developed.

d) Sunflower Stalks as Vegetahle Stakes. A farmer-level

demonstration using sunflower stalks as vegetable

stakes was carried out in cooperation with an NGO­

Development Alternatives. A village involved in

vegetable production for marketing purposes in

Dhading district was selected for the demonstration.

Sunflower seeds were distributed free of cost to

farmers. In one season the sunflower crop was llised

alongside maize. In the following season, the dried

stems were used hy farmers as stakes for tomato, bean,

and cucumher crops

The MountaIn rarmIng Systems' Programme organised

workshops and meetings. prepared video films, and

publi<;heu documents on studies carried out under appJi d

resean.'h.

Re~neratlve Agricultural TechnologIes for the Hill

farmer~ of Nepal. A workshop on regenerative

agricultural technologies for hill farmers was jointly

sponsored by IC'IMOD, DANIDA. CARE, and the

USAID. It was organised by the International Institute for

Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) and Nepal Rural

Reconstruction Association (NERRA). This ten-day

workshop (April 16-25, 1992) was attended by people

from different disciplines and institutions. In the

workshop, descriptive and operational accounts with

illustrations were presented for over 90 technologies

rehtted to improving hill agriculture. About 70 of them

were finally selected and published as one to two page

diagrammatic presentations with simple brief notes for use

by extension workers and farmers. The subject areas

covered by these papers are regenerative agriculture in the

hills, cropping systems, post-harvest technologies,

vegetahle and fruit production, natural resources and their

management, livestock and fodder, soil fertility,

composting and manuring, and pest management.

An information kit has since been published for

distrihution. ICIMOD made special efforts to distribute

copies of this kit to relevant institutions in other HKH countries.

Workshop on Community Forestry and User Groups. A

workshop was organised to evaluate the current trends in

community forestry. The focus was on assessing and

exchanging the experiences of community forestry user

groups in Nepal and joint forest management initiatives in

India. Useful discussions and exchanges of information

took place hetween Indian and Nepalese participants. The

workshop was held in an informal, rural setting.

Grassroots' discussion at the workshop

Unsustainahility Workshop. A four-day workshop to share

the results and methodologies of tield studies on the

dynamics of "unsustainahility" was held in Manali, India.

Participating were nearly 40 professionals from ICIMOD,

GBP lHED; Agro-Centre, Shimla; the Indian Planning

Commission; and the Universities of Shimla, Palampur,

and Solan in Himanchal Pradesh.

As a part ofICIMOD's advocacy role for mountain areas,

the unsustainahility indicators and their possible solutions

were presented hefore expert groups assemhled by the

FAO and the World Bank and national agencies in India,

China, and Nepal.

Video Film'). Video tilms of some ')ucces-;ful experiences

in the HKH were prepared in 1992.

I) Seahuckthorn: A Mountain Sflec ific Ofltion shows the

successful harnessing of this plant hy the Chinese as

an agro-industrial product as well as a pioneer plant

for improving degraded lands in cold and dry high

mountain areas.

ii) Polythene Film Technology has heen widely used by

Chinese farmers to modify the effects of the micro­

environments of the mountains to manage soil

moisture, cold temperature, frost, and growth periods

for crop cultivation. This is a one-hour film. Part I is

of 30 minutes' duration and is an appraisal of how the

Chinese have used this technique to

improve productivity. The second half

gives crop wist" det .. il., explaining how

the technolo~~y l an he used tor specific

crops and even for animals.

iii) Mi~Tratory/\1()Hle Beeket'ping. 1'1

Paki<.t,lr This .Il'tlvity w .... promoted

as .1 rest.1t of the prL's<;ure causeJ by

Atirhan refugee" and ha-; now spread

throu!Th0u' the northern mountain

areas of Pakist,m The film explains

how thi., adivity has he\peJ create

off-farm employment opportunities

for people who had small

landholdings or who were landless refugees. Different

language versions (Urdu, English) of the tilm have also

heen prepared and distrihuted to different countries in the

HKH Region.

11

Mountain Population and Employment

The activities of the Mountain Off-farm Employment Project were divided into two phases during 1992. In the first phase, the current state of off-farm employment in the Hengduan mountains of China, the hill and mountain regipns of Nepal, and the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan were analy~ed. The focus of the analysis was on the structure and transformation of the labour force, current state of off-farm employment, review and assessment of policies that have a bearing on off-farm employment, and a review of some prominent and promising activitie'i.

The ~econd phase of the project ~ought to build upon earlier studies throu h a se ·es of c se ~tud·e~. The location -specific case studies included horticulture and small-scale enterprises in the township~ of Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province (China), tourism and vegetable production in Mustan and Dhading districts respectively (Nepal), and forest related activitie~ in Shangla Pari Alpuri Sub-division Swat district, NWFP (Pakistan). The case studies were devoted to an analysis and assessment of the current state of off-farm employment in the respective ~ocioeconomic and re~ource contexts; identification of factors that have inhibited or enhanced off-farm employment and income opportunities; analysis of the linkages of off-farm activities with farm and off-farm sectors; and preparation of guidelines for the future development of potential off-farm opportunities.

Highlights

An International Workshop

was held In Kathmandu

(Fehruary 17-20, 1992) to

present and discuss the tindings

and implications of Phases One

and Two of the Mountain Otf­

farm Employment Project. The

workshop provided a forum for

sharing research tindings among

lelMOD professionals, national

research collahorators, conLer

ned intt'rndtlonal agencies and

development practitioners, and

ll~clsion-makers from the HKH

Region.

The studies showed that off-farm employment was a

dominant pattern and often the only source of cash income

for many mountain communities. Distress employment in

local areas (as wage lahourers or engaged in attivities that

are not very remunerative) or seasonal or temporary

migration to areas outside the locality are the most

common strategies in the mountains of Nepal/Pakistan.

12

International workshop on off-farm employment

The tindings demonstrated the usefulness of the mountain

paradigm in the context of off farm employment.

It was shown that while inaccessihility and remoteness,

fragility of the environment, and marginality in the

mountains were constraints to he overcome, these very

constraints, if wisely exploited, could provide the basis

for sustainahle off-farm employment. Diversity, in

particular, afforded a number of comparative advantages.

j

However, the scale-sensitive nature of the mountain • Food Security

environment, particularly the fact that carrying capacities

are reached rather quickly (e.g., tourism, mining) and the

limits to specialisation (evident in biodiversity), were

shown to merit careful assessment in the promotion of

off-farm employment. Because of the interplay of these

objective conditions in the mountains, the question was

not simply one of creating opportunities for gainful

employment, but of promoting the appropriate "type" of

gainful employment based on comparative advantages and

sustainability in an environmental ami economic sense.

A number of lessons relevant for planning and promotion

of off-farm employment in the mountains of the HKH

emerged from the regional overviews and from the case

studies. Some of the principal issues and lessons are

outlined here.

• Link between Farm and Off-farm EmpLoyment

Experiences in off-farm employment generation in the

HKH suggest that, in the initial stages, the links with

the farming system remain crucial not only in terms

of the complementarity in the demand for labour but

also in terms of minimising the risks associated in

moving from farm to off-farm and non-farm

employment. The links with the farming system

remain important also, because income earned from

off-farm activities can contribute to an increase in

agricultural productivity through access to inputs and

knowhow.

• Re( (l~nill(Jn of ( ompclrcillVt' Advanta,.!{ ~

Expenence in the HKH shows that assessment of

comparative advantages, in the context of regIOnal,

national, or international markets, is an essential

prerequisite for any off-farm activity. In many areas,

comparative advantages may not be very explicit or

evident. It is then the role of the "intervention"

mechanism to delineate and create conditions for the

exploitation of comparative advantages through

extension, training, etc.

The role of food security in the promotion of off-farm

employment opportunities in the HKH appears to be

quite important. Availability and affordability of

foodgrains were therefore important preconditions for

the growth of off-farm employment.

• Infr~tructure and Accessibility

Th<, role of infrastructure and accessibility in the

promotion of off-farm employment in the mountains

is crucial. But infrastructufl." should not necessarily

mean high investment infrastructure. Although a

better road infrastructure may be required at a later

stage, earthen roads can provide transportation routes

in the initial stages. Therefore, roads, in particular,

need to be perceived In the context of off-farm

employment growth stages. Sometimes advantages can

be derived from inaccessibility, for example, in the

case of trekking tourism. The comparative advantages

of the mountains for providing an energy

infrastructure need to be appreciated from an

employment perspective also.

• Markets and Market Information

One of the reasons for the pervasiveness of "distress"

employment in the mountains is the lack of access to

markets -- both labour and product markets. However,

while markets provide an outlet for produce, markets

also introduce competitton. Also, tImely information

on markets provide .. the impetus for product"rs to

remain competitive. It IS here that modern

communicatIon facilities dnd the development of

market centres can contnbute towards overcoming the

constraints of Inaccessibility and remoteness.

• LocaL Len'i Imtitutwn,· and OrRamsatLOns

Local organisations can facilitate the promotion of off­

farm employment in their role as defenders of

community interests and ensure that benetits are

reaped by the local people; by helping in the

13

mohilisation of local resources; hy acting as informal

mechanisms for "knowledge sharing"; and by

promoting the interests of the poor.

• Human Resource Development (HRD)

While the need for training, education, and skill

enhancement remains crucial for promotIng off-farm

employment, such education and training has to he

made relevant to mountain conditions. Development

of entrepreneurial capahilities; focus on women's

involvement 10 off-farm activities through an

appreciation of the gender issues involved; and

inculcating environmental awareness in the promotion

of off-farm activities appear to he relevant areas of

concern in HRD.

• Government Policy

The government policy in most HKH countries has

tended to treat off-farm employment as a "residual".

Government policies have, by and large, been

inconsistent over time and have tended to ignore the

linkages of off-farm activities in the diverse regional,

resource, and activity context of the mountains. Also

conventional forms of government "intervention" have

generillly ignored non-price measures. Policy

rectitication in these areas is warranted and off-farm

employment has to he a concern in the frammg of

macro-economic poliCies.

In response to these issues, gUiddines for the- promotion

of otf-farm employment have he-en prepared and tocus

and focus on Human Resource Devdopment and Skill

14

Training, Support Services and Infrastructure (including

extension, marketing, and credit), and Macro-economic

Policies.

Networking and Information Exchange

As part of the programme, ICIMOD collaborated with

professionals from the Institute of Mountain Disaster

and Environment at the Chinese Academy of Sciences,

Chengdu. and the Institute ot Rural Development, the

Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, in China;

the Agricultural Projects' Services Centre (APROSC),

Kathmandu, in Nepal, and the Centre for Applied

Economic Studies (CAPES) at the University of Peshawar

in Pakistan .

Twenty-nine participants took part in the International

Workshop on the tindings and implications of the

Mountain Off-farm Employment Project. These included

(i) research collahorators from China, Nepal, and Pakistan

who were involved in the regional overview studies as

well as case studies in respective countries; (ii)

researchers, development practitioners, and policy-makers

from China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan; (iii) selected

participants from donor agencies; and (iv) researchers

from ICIMOD.

The case study presentations in the workshop, by a senior

pohcy-maker from each country, were followed by

commentaries on the policy experiences and positions of

respective governments. This provided an opportunity for

mteractlOn bdween rese-archers and policy-maker.. and

contrihuted to the formulation of guidehne& for the

promotion of off-farm employme-nt 10 the mountains.

Mountain Infrastructure and Technology

A number of activities were undertaken during 1992. These included discussions with donors concerning project funding, preparation of in-house reviews, and professional inputs into inter-divisional programme activities.

Hi~hlight"

MRI Traimng Phase III

A project proposal on Mountain

Risk Engineering Phase III was

suhmitted by ICIMOD to the

European Economic Community.

An appraisal team visited

ICIMOD in November to review

past activities and to appraise the

Phase III project proposal.

Design and Testing of a

Regional Training Programme

on Mini- and Micro-hydropower

for Mountain Development

A revised proposal was submitted to the Royal Norwegian

Government and received its support. Implementation will

commence from April 1993

The project, entitled "Mini- and Micro-Hydropower for

Mountain Development in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan

Region," is for a period of 24 months and the

participating countries will be Bhutan, India, Nepal,

Pakistan, and China.

Energy is a topic of primdry interest to ICIMOD and

several activities have already been organised in this area

(see Annual Reports 1989,1990, and 1991). In 1986, in

collahoration with institutions in Bangladesh, Bhutan,

China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, a workshop on

"District Energy Planning and Management for Integrated

21 Megawatt hydropower installation, Trishuli, Nepal

Aitken et al. 1991) From 1987 to 1988 with European

Community Support, a Rural Energy Planning and

Management Programme was implemented, and, in 1991,

a seminar was held in collaboration with the Agricultural

Development Bank of Nepal and the Water and Energy

Commission of His Majesty's Government of Nepal on

"Rural Energy and Related Technologies in Nepal".

During the implementation of these energy programmes

a number of issues recurred time and again, namely, per

capita consumption in the region is low; wood fuel is the

principal ~ource of rural energy, but Its sustained

availability over time is doubtful; and economies have not

grown satisfactorily and better income and employment

opportunities are necessary for the rural population. This

calls for a conscious effort to transform rural areas

through the promotion of efficient agricultural practices

and off-farm activities. It goes without saying that total

Mountain Development" was held and a number of papers reliance on wood fuel has serious environmental

puhlished (Bajracharya 1986, Kumar and Ahuja 1987, and implications.

15

Against this background, it became all too obvious that,

from both the environmental and developmental point of

view, the issue of energy in mountain regions deserved

much more attention than it was receiving. Based on

studies conducted in each of the countries involved, it

seemed evident that exploitation of water through

mini\micro-hydropower technology, under the right

conditions, would promote rural technology and provide

clean affordable energy in rural areas.

The key issues to be covered include costs, tariffs,

management systems, operation and maintenance, use

diversitication, gender perspectives, research and

development, and training and policy issues. The specific

programme ohjectives are outlined helow.

a)

h)

To ohtain a hetter understanding of the current

status of mini/micro hydropower programmes

and their role in the energy supply systems in

mountain areas, through examination of the

main issues, problems, and constraints related

to the successful implementation and

management of these programmes.

To identify potential areas, as well as policies

and programmes, which will help 10

diversification of the end uses of the energy

c)

d)

e)

t)

To identify potential roles for the funding

agencies and development banks in promotion

of the technology in an improved manner in

future.

To identify training needs in the areas of

planning, design, construction and management,

and utilisation of mini- and micro-hydropower

schemes.

To develop practical and relevant traimng

programmes on MMHP development in the

Himalayan regions for ~ubsequent Implemen­

tation in each country on a national basis

To organise a regional network of sustamed

information exchange in the Himalayan Region

for Micro- and Mini-hydel Power Development

and Management.

Seminar/Workshop Participation

The division participated in the FAO/HMG National

Seminar on "Wood-hased Energy Systems for Cottage and

Village Industry Applications". The FAO has shown a

supplies through the m1Ol- and mIcro· keen interest in collahorating with ICIMOD in Regional

hydropower system. Wood Energy Development Programme activities.

~''''''' . _. ,....~~ .. ,~-

"" .... .. ~T

16

Mountain Environmental Management

Development interventions over the last few decades have brought about tremendous changes in the mountains, often at the cost of the highly energetic and vulnerable mountain ecosystems. With rapidly growing populations, such development efforts have alo;;o exerted increased pressure on natural resources and have often caused degradation and irreversible damage to the environment. As development proceo;;ses and interventions are to continue, and even need to be accelerated for rapid economic development, mountain environments and societies will be subjected to accelerated transformation in the coming decades. This means there is an urgent need to look for alternative strategies and approaches for better and more efficient management of the mountain environment in order to ensure sustainable de\-elopment.

HiJ.!hliJ.!hts

~/tJl'lIIg Agricullural Land T(chnolog} (SALT)

This is a joint activity of the Mountain Fanning Systems

and the Environmental Management Programme. An

action-oriented research trial and demonstration is heing

carried out in Ningnan County, Sichuan, China, in

collahoration with the Institute of Geography, CAS,

Beijing, Institute of Biology, CAS, Chengdu, and

Ningnan County authorities. An area of 7.2 ha of sloping

land was. selected for trial plots for SALT experiments

using technologies developed in the Philippines for

sloping agricultural lands in comhination with indigenous

technology. The technology has heen well received hy the

people and interest in it is increasing.

PI ot/l(Jlion (If A flfofore tn 'f,lre t

M.mf/ '( ment 1111 (I ugh I (If'al

In flllltin", in th( En\t( r11

Himalayan R{ ~/nn

ICIMOD was awarded a !yrant

hy the World Environmental and

Resources' Programme of the

\1cAt1hur Foundation, USA, to

conduct action-research in two

areas in the eastern Himalayas

(one in China and the other in

Nepal), in order to strengthen

the capacity of local farmers to

absorb and promote improved agroforestry and forest

management technologies and practices. In February this

year, a field survey was conducted in China for this

project, and a field site for implementing the project was

identified in the Zixishan Nature Reserve of the Chuxiong

Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province. The

collaborating institution is the Kunming Institute of

Botany (KIB) , CAS. The KIB/Chuxiong team and

ICIMOD have jointly organised on·site training in

participatory rural appraisal (PRA) at Chuxiong, in which

15 participants (seven from the site villages, three from

the protected area, and five from the project team) were

involved.

The key prohlems identified through the PRA training

were:

Land under pressure - Himalayan rangeland, U.P., India

17

(a)

(h)

(c)

fuelwood shortage;

lack of cash income; and

shortage of fodder .

Masella lasiocarpa, and Vetiveria zizaniodes

will be planted for soil erosion control and

water-holding in the surrounding areas of the

Nature Reserve; and

A detailed action plan for the selected areas was

developed focussing on:

(t) keeping livestock of the two villages in

fenced areas and developing a high-yielding

fodder species, Amaranthus paniculatus. on

marginal lands. (a)

(h)

(c)

planting of fuelwood trees on marginal lands

and degraded hills (13.3 ha in twu villages

for planting Acacia meatrisii and Alnus

nepalensis) ;

selection of 10 to 12 households in two

villages for biogas demonstrations;

introduction of energy-saving stoves in all the

households of the two villages;

Besides the principal project activities, three training

activities have been organised to demonstrate planting and

management technologies. By June and July 1992, 14 ha

of intercropping hilly land had already been planted with

crops and fuelwood trees and seedlings from five

kilogrammes of the fodder plant seed, Amaranthus

paniculatus, in the two villages located on the test site.

Similar work is also expected to begin on the site selected

(d) selection of four different indigenous fruit for agroforestry development in Nepal.

trees combined with corn, Amaranthus.

potatoes, edible lilies, ginger, Amor-

phophallus (an indigenous tuber crop), and Rehabilitation of Degraded Lands in Mountain Ecosystems

pulses as well as green manure plants for

developing agroforestry in home gardens and ICIMOD has been awarded a grant by the International

on uplands; Development Research Centre (IDRC), Canada, to

conduct action-research in five countries of the Himalayan

(e) selection of a hill slope of 14 ha as a SALT Region with the purpose of developing a better

demonstration site where Alnus nepalensis. understanding of the forces and processes underlying land

Dipping bucket - automatic data collection system

degradation and identifying

measures for restoring and

developing degraded lands in

different mountain ecosystems

using options that are field-tested

and found to be economically,

environmenrolly, and socially

viable. Field work has already

begun in China and Nepal.

Baoshan County in the Yunnan

Province of China was identified

as the field site for China, and

the Institute of Botany,

Kunming, CAS, was appointed

as the collaborating institution.

18

a collaborative effort between ICIMOD ~D,d the University

of British Columbia (UBC), funded by' the International

Development Research Centre (IDRC). This project

builds on previous work done in the Jhikhu Khola

watershed, located 40 Ian east of Kathmandu in the Mid­

hills of Nepal, to quantify sources and rates of erosion,

establish sediment budgets, and document indigenous

knowledge on issues such as soil erosion control, soil

fertility management, and sediment trapping. It will

examine the linkages between grazing lands, forests, and

cultivated land,>, particularly in relation to nutrient

leaching. The project will also seek to develop new,

Highly degraded forest land _ Dhulikhel, Nepal computer-based Geographical Information System (GIS) models and methods to integrate socioe~onomic variabl s

On-site field training on PRA was organised in Baoshan with biophysical data.

County, and 15 participants were involved in the initial

project activity to identify the key problems and The major goals of this project are:

alternative approaches for rehabilitating degraded lands.

The identitied experimental area is located at an elevation

between 1,350 to 1,600 masl, with degraded upland

fanning lands and completely deforested grazing areas on

steep slopes (gradients ranging from 15 - 20"). Follow-up

activities have commenced and include the establishment

of nurseries, small-scale water harvesting pits, and the

construction of small-scale check-dams in selected gullies

and streams on the site.

In Nepal, project sites are being identitied for

implementation of the projed in close consultation with

national agencies. It is expected that two areas of

uegradeu forest lands will be taken up and tn' prokd

implemented through Users' Groups In dose coopt' ration

with the District forest Ottice in Kavrepalanchok

district.

In India, the G. B. Pant Institute of Himalayan

Environment and Development will be collaboratint with

ICIMOD to implement this project in the Indian

Himalayas. In Pakistan, the Pakistan Forest Instituk (PrJ)

in Peshawar will serve as the collaborating institution.

Mountain Resource Manat:ement Project

The Mountain Resource Management (MRM) Project is

(a) to document long-term changes in land use, soil

fertility status, erosion process, and sediment

budgets; and

(b) to develop an understanding of indigenous land use/

production systems for land use planning and to

examine selected alternative approaches to improve

the ecological and economic sustainability of these

systems.

The specific ob.kftives are.

(a) to locument indigenou<; knowledge on r sour 'e

man,lgemt'nt m'thods;

(h) to expand and up!'r.ld tht' xl~tin!' mC'nltonn!'

network tor hydrulo~lcal erosion and metcorolvfH'c I

information u<;ing automated loggt"r!. complt''ll<:'nkd

hy manJal techniquts;

(c) to evaluate and quantity linkages and mtt"raction'i

hetween cultivated lands, forests, and grazing lanus;

and

(d) to develop new methods and models for the

integration and interpretation of socioeconomic and

19

biophysical variables for assessing land use

management options using GIS.

Anticipated Results and Beneficiaries

• The project will provide essential data on processes

and rates of change in soil erosion, sedimentation,

and fertility status.

• The biophysical resource information will be

integrated with land use and socioeconomic data

through GIS to provide thematic informatIOn for

various scenarios on a real-time basis.

• Forestry personnel will receive critical information

on erosion and soil fertility to guide their

reforestation efforts.

Management through Local Institutions in the Eastern

Himalayan Region on June 1-9, 1992, at Chuxiong

in Yunna~ Province of China. Altogether 15

participants attended the on-site project training

programme, which was jointly organised by ICIMOD

country collaborators and local authorities.

(b) Training workshop (China) on PRA for implementing

the project on Rehabilitation of Degraded Lands in

Mountain Ecosystems on September 11-16, 1992, at

Baoshan in Yunnan, China, in which 15 participants

attended the on-site project training. This was jointly

organised by ICIMOD, ChInese collaborators, and

the local authorities.

Networking and Information Exchange

• Agricultural extension workers and farmers will (a) Regional Programme on Mountain Hydrology

receive additional information on soil fertility status

under various crop rotation systems, particularly

where intensive triple crop rotation systems can be

sustained with current inputs. They will also be

informed of the potentially negative, long-term

effects of using pine litter in agriculture.

• The successful indigenous systems of erosion control,

soil classification, and soil fertility management will

he documented and calihrated for researchers and

agroextension personnel

• Data and methodological exch.mges will he initiated

and promoted hetween ICIMOD dnd HMO line

agencie<; and other countries.

Training Activities

Two training workshops on PRA were held for MEM

Projects in 1992.

(a) Training workshop (China) on PRA for implementing

Project Promotion of Agroforestry/Forest

20

The Regional Programme on Mountain Hydrology

in the Hindu Kush-Himalayas is a joint collaborative

programme of ICIMOD and UNESCO, under its

International Hydrological Programme (IHP), which

was estahlished in cooperation with the countries of

the region and the World Meteorological Office

(WMO) in response to a recommendation of the

Regional Workshop on Hydrology of Mountain

Areas (Kathmandu, Decemher 1989). The response

and support from the countries of the region haw

heen the most encouraging features of this

programme as IS evidenced hy thl'ir active

participation in all the activities carried out -;0 far.

Simildrly, UNDP's active participatmn In the

meet.ngs and continued Interest and support for thh;

programme also d..'serve special mention.

The Regional Working Group on Mountain

Hydrology (RWO) , which was also constituted in

accordance with another recommendation of the

December 1989 Workshop, has already met twice.

Major activities carried out under this programme

during 1992 include those listed below.

i) Preparation together with UNESCO of a draft

proposal for a medium-tenn project, viz,

Regional Network of Experimental Watersheds

for Hydrological Studies (RENEWHS) for the

Hindu Kush-Himalayas was carried out as per

the recommendation of the First Consultative

Meeting of the RWG. UNESCO financed the

services of a consultant to prepare the draft

project document. The draft project proposal was

endorsed in principle by the second Consultative

Meeting of the RWG. It is now being finalised in

consultation with the regional countries and

WMO.

ii) The Second Consultative Meeting of the Regional

Working Group on Mountain Hydrology (RWG)

was organised together with His Majesty's

Government of Nepal, Ministry of Water

'Meeting of the RWG was to refine ana provide

guidance for the finalisation of the draft project

proposal. After some, deliberation, the meeting

endorsed in principle the draft project proposal

and entrusted it to the Secretariat of the RWG.

The project document will be finalised with

assistance from WMO and in consultation with

the partici-pating countries, and it will then be

submitted to potential donors for funding.

Another interesting outwme of the meeting was the

tentative suggestions made by the representatives of some

regional countries regarding the designa-tion of

watersheds to be studied under the project In theIr

respective countries, as mentioned below, subject to

their governments' approval.

Resources, Department of Hydrology and Bangladesh A Watershed in the Chittagong Hill

Tracts with existing basic hydro­

meteorological instrumentation.

Meteorology (DHM) , and UNESCO/IHP at the

ICIMOD Headquarters, Kathmandu, from 16 to

18 March, 1992. ICIMOD and UNESCO/IHP China

(through its Regional Office in New Delhi) have

jointly provided the Secretariat for the Regional Nepal

Working Group (RWG). UNESCO has also

Two Watersheds in Tibet with existing

basic infrastructure.

Phalankhu Khola Watershed in

Nuwakot district.

provided financial support to enable participants Pakistan A Watershed in Hunza Valley, a sub­

area of the upper Indus basin, with

some instrumentation facilities provided

by a snow hydrology project.

from regional countries to attend the Second

Consultative Meeting and to meet some

organisational costs. The meeting was attended

by participantsl

observers from

Bangladesh, China,

India, Pakistan, and

Nepal. Altogether 30

experts participated in

the meeting, including

representatives from

WMO, UNDP, GTZ,

UNESCO, and ICIMOD

ami some experts from

Japan and Gennany.

The main objective of

the Second Consultative The Second Consultative Meeting of the RWG

21

l

The Second Consultative Meeting has also called upon all

the regional participating countries to formally designate

watersheds to he studied under the regional project as

soon as possihle.

Another major recommendation of the Meeting is

concerned with the training of manpower in relation to

mountain hydrology. It has entrusted ICIMOD,

UNESCO, and WMO to work together and in consulta­

tion with other relevant institutions, both from within and

outside the HKH Region, to review availahle courses on

mountain hydrology in order to identify or design appro­

priate training courses. Considering hoth the ongoing and

potential impacts of biophysical and climatic changes, as

well as human interventions, the need for operational

hydrology and water resource assessme~t, on the one

hand, and the knowledge of hydrological processes in the

mountain areas, on the other, should he considered.

ICIMOD, along with UNESCO and WMO, is engaged in

implementing these recommendations and, particularly, in

tinalising the project document in close consultation with

the participating countries for submission to UNDP and

other potential donors so that the Regional Project can

commence by early 1993.

Internatzonal Svmpo.uum on Snow and Glacier Hydrology

The "International Symposium on Snow and Glacier

Hydrology" was organised by HMG/Nepal, Ministry of

Water Resources, Department of Hydrology and

Meteorology (DHM), in Kathmandu from 16 to 21

November 1992. ICIMOD co-sponsored this symposium

along with the German Technical Cooperation Agency

(GTZ) , UNESCO, the World Meteorological Organisation

(WMO) , and the International Association of Hydrological

Sciences (IAHS). ICIMOD was invited to join the

Organising Committee.

-=-- _ -'J.'----.. ... "",."" ... ~~.

.. ,.-

~.~"i

22

Part III

Dissemination and

Action Programmes

Programme V Programme VI Programme VII Programme VIII

Documentation and Information Exchange Natural Rcsources' Asscssment and MonitorIng Area Dcvelopment Planning and Implcn/cntation Institutional and Professional Development

Documentation and Information Exchange

The main programme activities in 1992 were to computerise the processing of current documents and information through additions to databases and dissemination through documentation services and publications These are in conformity with the primary objectives of the Programme to collect, process, and store information related to mountain development for timely retrieval and dissemination. To have a wider and formal access to existing information and for more effective sharing of such documented experiences, greater emphasis was placed on information networking.

Highlights

,Acquisition of Documents

The library acquired 370

new documents and now

has a total collection of

12,551.

Thirteen new serial titles

have been added and, in

total, we now receive 475

serials (journals, news­

letters, etc).

Databm'e

The Books' Datahase acqUired 863 more rewrds,

increasing the total number to 11,710

The Serial'i' Dataha..ie received 502 relOrd') of

current titles and these were updated.

A data input sheet was tinalised for the Institutional

Datahase. Guidelines for filling in the data input

sheet were also developed.

Documentation Services

Four issues of ' New Documents in the Library' and

24

Linkages - exhibition and sale of lCIMOD publications

eight i<;sue of 'New St>riab In thto Libn ry' Wtf ~

published.

An annotated Bibliography on 'Womt"n in Mountain

Development' was prep,ned and published in

collaboration with the Population and Employment

Programme of ICIMOD. This covers 633 references

from China, India, Nepal, and the ICIMOD library.

In response to specitic demands from readers,

retrospective searches of the Books' Database were

provided. Short bibliographies containing a total of

1,856 references were provided.

Networking and Information Exchange

!An Expert Group Meeting on Information

Networking in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan Region

was organised from 23 to 26 June, 1992, in Beijing,

China, in collaboration with the Documentation and

Information Centre, Chinese Academy of Sciences

(DIC/CAS)!. The participants were from Bangladesh,

Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. The

purpose of the meeting was to discuss the

establishment and operation of a mountain

development information network. All participants

at the meeting expressed the desire to join

ICIMOD's Information Network.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with

the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council,

designating the Technology Transfer Unit of the

National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad,

as the National Focal Point (NFP) for Pakistan in

ICIMOD's Information Network. This is the second

NFP within the Network. The first NFP is

DIC/CAS, China.

A Training Course on Information Exchange for

Chinese librarians was held in Beijing from 27 June

to 2 July, 1992. Its purpose was to familiarise the

librarians with the use of computers for information

handling and management The participants were

trom Institutions that would be potential members of

the National Network 'on Mountain Development in China. I

Additions to ICIMOD's Mailing List are depicted in

the bar chart below.

ADDITIONS TO THE MAILING LIST Regional Countries 1990 - 1992

250~-----------------------------------------'

200

150 ........................... - .... " ~--....

100

50

25

1990 11 1992

Natural Resources' Assessment and Monitoring

The Implementation Pha')e of MENRIS commenced in 1992. A Financing Strategy for the Mountain Environmental and Natural Resources' Information System (MENRIS) has been developed in consultation with interested donors. The founding sponsor, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), will provide the necessary funds to support project staff and nodal establishment in Nepal, Ban ladesh, and China for a two-year period. The UNDP will provide additional funds for the Nepal node. The f'ederal Republic of Germany will provide two year~' support for project staff and for e-;tablishment of national nodes in three additional countries. The programme is al80 continuin to build up collaborative rase studies and training with existing bilateral/multilateral projects. The reserve fund8 enerated from thes collaborative project activities will be used to support the national nodes and for continuing with the

programme beyond 1995.

Highlights

Training

Human Resource Development in ICIMOD member

countries and also at ICIMOD, through training in GIS

application and development of applied case studies on a

collahorative basis, has been the major objective.

Emphasis was placed on training because of the relative

Training in GIS

26

newness of the technology and in light of its application

possibilities in planning and decision-making.

Training materials were developed for three groups of

audience: policy-making, professional, and technical. All

these materials have noW undergone a second review by

the Asian Development Bank, Environmental Systems

Research Institute (ESRI), Asian Institute of Technology

(AIT), Clark University, and UNIT AR.

The table on the next p,I!'e

~ummari!>es the traming al tivltl -;

completed m 1992.

By Dele-mber, 1992 I tot I

numher of c)() profes~lun II t 01

elgUt mt'mber l'ountr -; hi

received traininp.; i (,IS

t nC(lurar~ wider u of GI,)

tool tor integrat~ an Ilyw;

collahorative case stulhes with

hilateral/multilateral project.,/

institutions have been under

taken. The table bdow

summarises the completed dnd

ongoing case studies.

GIS Case Studies Undertaken in 1992

COMPLETED

Service Centres (Lalitpur District) UNDP/NPC

Mini/Micro-hydel GTZ/Min. of Water Resources

Dhading. District-Carrying Capacity GTZ/Min. of Local Development

Eco-zonation Programme I. ICIMOD

ONGOING

Upper Arun Watershed

KoshiZone

Hill Tracts

Melamchi Watershed

Gorkha District

Livestock-Kabhre District

Forestry-Lalitpur District

Integrated Area Dev. Bagmati Zone

Network Establishment

The objective of this activity is to build up the

institutional capability to use GIS technology for

integrated analyses. With a network established in

member countries, the multisectoral digital data set of the

Hindu Kush Himalayas can be built up gradually. The

implementation activities include two cycles of training,

district-based case studies, and provision for tiw GIS

stations.

Network establishment aetivitie~ for Nepal, Bangladesh,

and China wae planned for 1992. The Nepal node is no\\­

complete and operational. A MEN RIS staff member is on

the National Stet:ring Committee for GIS. Tht' Centre is

actively assisting 10 line agencies to network with the

National Planning Commission. The tirst cycle of training

for Bangladesh was completed In October. The

pal1icipants included district level ofticers and tive

institutions. The tirst cycle of training for China was

completed in December.

Planning Commission, CAS hasa

NPC/UNDP

Chittagong/Sylhet Board, Bangladesh

Department of Mines/GT7

Ministry of Local Development/GTZ

Department of Livestock/GTZ

Department of Forest/FINNIDA

NPC/ICIMOD

Database and Application

Three internal studies commenced in 1992, viz, (i) macro­

level overlay of time series NOAA satellite data over the

HKH to monitor macro ·environmental parameters on a

scale ot 1: I million; (ii) district-level - overlay of

landsat/SPOT satellite data over multi sectoral distnct

datahase to monitor natural rtsources and socio('~onomlc

paramders on a seait' of 1 :';0,000: ana (iii) urh.I'l

applic atiun - to use GIS for utility, huusinr, .lnd

environmental planning on a scale ot I :5.000 (in 1993).

fhese studies will he l'ompldea In 99" 'Ird t'l '

methodology wi I be disst"millateo for ust" by the natiunal

nodes in the member countnes. fhe Programme ha" now

established contacts with oVt:r 500 institutions and

individuals who are active in the GIS tield in the region.

The Programme has provided GIS briefings to ICIMOD

country representatives and donors, numbering more than

500 people, in 1992. To disseminate the technology and

assist with activities in 1992, MENRIS began to publish

a bulletin and introduced a MENRIS Case Study Series.

27

Area Development Planning and Implementation

Under this programme, the main ongoing activity has been the Bagmati Zone Economic and Environmental Development Study.

The Bagmati Area Study Team has focussed on the following activities during this final year of the project: field work; analysis of linkages and interaction between natural resources and the regional economy; identification of alternative development options; preparation of regional economic and environmental plans; and workshops at various levels to discuss the finding8.

Highlights

District-level field work by the Study Team was organised

with the objective of:

a) reviewing completed, ongoing, and planned

e) based on the above inputs from different sectoral line

agencies, to organise a workshop that will focus on

providing distnct-Ievel economic and environmental

priorities and programmes as inputs into the Eighth

Development Plan of Nepal (1992-1997).

development activities; A tirst round of field visits in all the districts was

completed with the purpose of explaining the project and

b) identitication of sub-district, spatial characteristics for its objectives to various agencies in the districts. It also

delineation of ecological hot spots, poverty pockets, provided an opportunity to assess the existing infonnation

and areas suitable for intensive development;

c) assessment of basic service conditions and future

requirements;

d) evaluation of natural resources and environmental

conditions; and,

base at the district level which, unfortunately, turned out

to be extremely poor.

The second round of tield visits had the following

objectives:

i) to mobilise all appropriate

distnct-Ievel agencies to

develop their respediv..'

sectoral assessments and

indicate priority progra

mmes tor the dIstrict; and

ii) for the study team tu assess

distrIct-level comhtlOns

regarding specific economic

and environmental problems

and activities.

Increasing urbanisation and depletion of natural resources

Both the National Planning

Commission and the Ministry of

Local Development requested all

district agencies to cooperate and

28

1

I

assist in this exercise. District-level inputs in different

areas have started to come in and the team is currently

examining these inputs. These district-level exercises

took time to complete because district-level elections were

held in late May, 1991, and the district agencies

delayed making decisions concerning their future

priorities.

Carrying (apacity AnalysIS (C( A)

Sustainable development in the context of using natural

resources has emphasised the need for maintaining the

stock of natural assets. This further implies that the use of

natural resources should either be limited to their net

sustainable yield or that the available stock should not be

depleted over time. Anything else would be seen as

unsustainable. In many of the developing countries, where

the bulk of the popUlation depend upon the direct use and

availability of natural resources (for food production,

fuelwood, livestock, fodder, etc), where the popUlation

growth is already quite high and the stock of natural

resources low or declining, sustainable development, at

least in terms of the use of natural resources, appears to

be a tall order. However, in the past, little systematic

work had been undertaken to quantify these natural

resources .. popUlation - and economic activity linkages,

even based upon relationships that have been fairly well

understood. Without a proper understanding of these

interactions and their impacts, the true significance of

natural resources, including an identification of the most

desirahle interventions (on a sustainable basis), will not be

of the Bagmati Zone and a similar framework will be

used to analyse the prevailing conditions in Kabhre,

Sindhupalchowk, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, and Dhading

districts, which are broadly similar in terms of their

economic and environmental conditions; the analysis for

Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur will be modified to

account for the greater role of non-agricultural sectors.

The issue of environmental pollution rather than the loss

of natural resources per se will be more important in

these cases, although the role of natural resources cannot

be discounted.

S,·tticment S}\'/el1L.<;, ~mall fowns, and RuraL Urban

Lin/wges in Bagmatl 70m

One of the major characteristics of ongoing

socioeconomic changes is the rapid transformation in

settlement systems with more and more people now

moving out of rural areas and permanently settling in

urban areas. Increasing urbanisation is a process that will

continue to grow over time and this has many important

economic and environmental implications. First, the

transfer of population out of rural areas is likely to reduce

some of the pressure on rural natural resources as living

styles in urban areas are somewhat different from rural

areas. Second, urban areas are different from rural areas

in many respects. They have a diversified demand

structure that plays an important role in the transformation

of the agricultural systems of rural areas from primarily

subsistence-oriented systems to systems that are market­

oriented. This is important for increasing rural incomes to

easy to determine. reduce pressure on natural resources. Third, urban areas

create non farm employment opportunities that can again

With this in mind the Integrated Regional Economic and have a positive impact on the use of rural resources. In

Environmental DeVelopment Planning exercise for the the context of Improving human resource conditions, also,

Bagmati Zone has undertaken an analysis to demonstrate urban areas provide more and better services than rural

the changes over time in the carrying capacity of some

major natural resources. Variables such as population

growth are also heing taken into account. A simulation

analysis hased on a multi-market model was developed to

reflect the conditions prevailing in the hill farming

systems found in the Bagmati Zone.

areas. Another important consideration in the context of

the Bagmati zone is the role that smaller market towns

can play as satellite towns in reducing the growing

population pressures on the Greater Kathmandu Valley

Region. This study on Settlement Systems, Small Towns,

and Market Centres was undertaken with the objective of

assessing some of these roles and functions of the smaller

The analysis is being completed for all the eight districts urban centres in the study region.

29

30

Other Exercises Nearing Completion Bagmati team is currently engaged in an integrating

exercise, particularly in identifying priorities both on a a) District Economic and Environmental Protiles. The short- and long-term basis. One of the important issues

Study Team has given maximum attention to the

preparation of District Protiles in order to provide a

tinn and reasonable basis for designing integrated

economic and environmental development plans. These will be completed in 1993.

b) Environmental Problems and their Management in

Kathmandu Valley. Some reporting on the

environmental problems in Kathmandu Valley has

already been given in previous Annual Reports The

emerging is management of the cultural resources of the

valley for sustaining tourism development vis-a-vis the

haphazard growth of urbanisation and manufacturing with

their significant environmental impacts and consequent

adverse effects on the development of tourism. Another

important issue is the weak institutional capacity to

manage urbanisation and the urban environment. The

Study Team is carefully examining these and related issues.

Institutional and Professional Development

A number of special activities were undertaken as individual research projects.

Highlights

"ExploratIOn of Genetic Diversity in the Himalayan

Honeybee, Apis arana f " Bl-ekeepmg Project. Pnnllpai

Invl'~tlr.:ator· Prof L. R. Vurna

Resean:.h..J\"'£l omplishmt. nt~

Genetic Diversity Research. Genetic diversity

research on the Himalayan honeybee, Apis cerana,

was organised through the use of computer-assisted,

biometric multivariate analysis and molecular

techniques. So far, this research work has, for the

tirst time, successfully identified three sub-species,

namely, Apis cerana cerana, Apis cerana himalaya,

and Apis cerana indica from the Indian and Nepalese

Himalayan regions. The Apis cerana found in the

Himalayan parts of lumla (Nepal) and Kashmir match

the European honeybee, Apis mell(fera, in commercial

use value and have a spectacular potential for further

genetic improvement through selective breeding and

molecular research.

Genetic diversity data

generated th rough the

present research work have

created considerable inter­

national rest"arc h intert:c;t

amon!'st bte scientists, so

much so that this bee species

is now being con<;idered as a

valuable genetic resource not

only in its HKH habitat but

also globally. Currently,

genetic diversity research is

in process in other parts of

Asia, e.g., Bangladesh,

Bhutan, Pakistan, India,

Nepal, and Vietnam.

Survey work on beekeeping with Apis cerana reveals

that this bee species is on the decline throughout its

range as a result of replacement by the more prolific

and exotic ApIs meLLifera, habitat alteration, and

indiscnminate use ot biocides, diseast"s, and hon'y

hunting method~. Through considerable rese.lrch and

development, d framework for conservation of thi.

bee species has been developed by the Pnncipul

Investigator and will be disseminated widely .

ii) Bee Pollination Research. To close the research gaps

on pollination technology, field experiments on the

role of Apis cerana in enhancing vegetable (radishes,

cauliflowers, cabbages, and lettuces) seed production

in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal were conducted in

collaboration with the Vegetable Seed Production

Project, FAO/HMG. The floral biology of the

vegetable crops in relation to bee pollination has been

studied in detail.

Foraging behaviour data revealed that the native, Apis

ceralla, has distinct advantages over Apis mellifera for

the pollination of agricultural crops. These includ >

Beekeeping demonstrat ion to potent ial beekeepers

31

longer working hours, early initiation of foraging at the HMG/Nepal and FAO Vegetable Seed Production

activity even at SOc outside environmental Farm in Khuma,ltar was held to demonstrate the

temperatures, short flight range, low cost of colony advantages of bee pollination for vegetable seed

management, no foraging competition with other

native insect pollinators, and co-evolution of this bee

species with native crops.

Research data on the qualitative and quantitative

effects of Apis cerana pollination on the above

vegetable crops revealed significant increase in the

fruit set, number of seeds per siliqua, weight of seed,

and germination percentage, thus boosting the overall

seed production quality by 30 to 35 per cent through

bee pollination practices alone.

iii) Apiary Management and Behavioural Research.

Apiary management and behavioural research includes

studies on the economic and biological characteristics

of Apis cerana. On the basis of these research results,

a package of appropriate beekeeping practices/

recommendations, especially for extension workers

and farmers, is being prepared with a view to

increasing the productivity and pollination activities of

Apis arana.

Training Activities.

The Principal Investigator of the project organised two

beekeeping training camps to train trainers and farmers in

collaboration with HMG' Nepal/FAO Seed Production

Project and Himal Bee Concern, a private beekeeping

NGO. About 100 beekeepers, vegetable seed growers,

women social workers, technicians, and extension

workers attended these camps Several of these trainees

were provided with bees, bee keeping equipment. and the

necessary technical follow up advice to ensure tht, success

of these training camps.

Fidd Demonstration Support.

In the HKH Region, the role of bees and of beekeeping,

as important biological inputs for enhancing the yield and

quality of agricultural crops, have often been

underestimated. To close this gap, a tield demonstration

32

production. This demonstration was visited by hundreds

of farmers, extension workers, and scientists over a

period of two months.

A small demonstration apiary located at the ICIMOD

compound in Jawalakhel has also benefitted several

farmers, extension workers, and NGOs.

Net\\-orkmf. and Information rx~ range.

This project has been very successful m networking

beekeeping research and development activities in the

seven ICIMOD countries and outside. Collaborating

institutions in the research work of this project include

Departments of Agriculture, Livestock, and Vegetables,

HMG Nepal; Himal Bee Concern, R. Labb (NGO) ,

Nepal; Department of Biosciences, H.P. University,

Shimla; Departments of Agriculture and Horticulture of

Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, India; the

Central Bee Research Institute, Pune, India; Department

of Agriculture, Royal Government of Bhutan; Pakistan

Agricultural Research Council of Pakistan; Institute of

Beekeeping Research, Beijing, China; and the Swedish

Beekeepmg Project in Bangladesh.

The Principal Investigator of this project has also been

rendenng adVIsory/consultancy services in beekeeping

research, development, and training to different national ,

bilateral, and :nternational projects throughout Asia

Beekeepmg is now becommr an Important component ot

the activities supporting sustainable mountain agricultur<,

and integrated rural devdopment Several seminar

paper~, journal contributions, and manuals have been

produced.

"Indigenous Systems qf Forest Res(Jun e Managenunt.

Cases From Far western Nepal" Ram B. Cheltri and

T ulsi R. Pandey

Traditional systems of forest resource management have

been attracting increasing attention, primarily because

Household visits and group interviews were the methods used to collect information

conventional, government-controlled management of

forest resources in the mountain areas of Nepal has been

unable to keep pace with the rapidly increasing pressures

The study provides descriptions

of the characteristics of user

groups in two districts of Baitadi

and Achham in Far-western

Nepal. The existence of

indigenous systems for forest

protection and harvesting of

forest products indicate a long

and continuing history of local

resource management. The

extent to whICh these are

effective is not only determined

by local tactors, but also by the

nature of government forestry

programmes, The study

produced a number of important

findings; these have already

been published in book form.

on the fast-depleting forest resources. As an alternative "Internal Pressures and E-xternal Linkages: The Dynamics

institutional mechanism for improving the sustainable use of Adaptation in a Remote Mountain Village" - Bihari K.

of forests, there was a strong need for generating better Shrestha

understanding of indigenous user-group operations in the

management of forest resources. Local user groups are This study, 'A Revisit To Diyargaon', is a comparative

being seen as critical, and yet the structure, organisation, analysis that documents changes and adaptations in a

and functions of user groups actively managing forest remote mountain village in Far-western Nepal. Comparing

resources are not well understood. User groups vary conditions seen 20 years ago with those prevailing today.

depending upon biophysical environments, production the analysis examines the changes evident in the natural

systems, and sociocultural contexts. The ohjective of this resources, socioeconomic characteristics, and institutional

study was to undertake a comprehensive review of user arrangements. The findings from this ,>tudy are due for

group operations in selected areas of Far-western Nepal. puhlication in 199'L

33

Part IV

Information on Administration and Finance

36

The Board of Governors (as of December 31,1992)

REGIONAL BOARD MEMBERS

Major General M.A. Rahman, Chairmal1 Chairnlan of Chittagong Hill Tracts Devdopment Board

Dasbo (Dr.) Kinzang Dorji Department of Agriculture

Prof. Liu Dongsbeng The Chinese Academy of Sciences

Mr. R. Rajamani Ministry of Environment and Forests

0. Soe Kyi Forestry Department

Dr. J.P. LJpadbyaya Ministry of Education and Culture

Mr. A.Q. Kazi Ministry of Science and Technology

INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBERS

Mr. Remo Gautscbi, Vice-Chairman Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC)

Dr. Klasjan Beek International Institute for Aerospace Survey and Earth Sciences (ITC)

Dr. Harka (;urung Director, Asia and PacifiC Dtvelopmcnr 0: nrc (Kuala Lumpur)

Dr. Li Wenbua FAO Rtgiom I Wattr.,hcd Managemen, Project

Dr. A.N. Purobit G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development, Almora

Prof. Win fried Von LJrff Institut fur Agrarpolitik Technischce Universitat, Munchen

Dr. E.F. Tacke Director General (ex-officio)

Bangladesb

Bbutan

Cbina

India

Myanmar

Nepal

Pakistan

Switzerland

"Ietherlands

Nepal

China

India

Gel·many

ICIMOD

The Professional and Senior Administrative Staff of ICIMOD (as of December 31, 1992)

Far-reaching changes occurred in the administrative structure ofICIMOD in 1992, as a result of the Centre's pursuance of a decentralised working policy. At the Directorate level, the Director General is now supported by a Director of Programmes and a Director of Administration. In addition, at the 18th Meeting of the Board of Governors, which took place on the 30th of November and the 1st of December 1992, the Board made a number of deCISIons that will affect administration and management of programmes in the futurt...

During the course of the year a number of protcssional staff completed their contracts and left ICIMOD, eIther to jOIll

other organisations involved in international development or to return to their home-country organisations. Among the professional staff leavlllg ICIMOD in 1992 were Dr. Hikmat Bista, Mr. Saroj Basynet, Mrs. Prabha Thacker, and Dr. Kk Panday. Mr. Anwar Ali Chaudhry, Head of the Mountain Infonllation Exchange (programme V), returned to Pakistan in October and Mr. Lakpa Tsering, Head of the Mountain Infrastructure and Technology Programme (Division III), returned to Bhutan in July. Ms. Priya Trosuwan of the Travel Section also left the Centre in late 1992.

The final departure in 1992 was that of Mr. Surendra Shrestha, Head of MENRIS, who left the Centre on December 28 to become the Head of the UNEP-GRID Office in Bangkok. Mr. Shrestha had joined ICIMOD in 1985 as Chief Administrator and during 1992 he served as Acting Director of Administration and head of MENRIS.

Directorate Dr. E.F. Tacke Dr. Mahesh Banskota Mr. Ronald H. Dery

Director General Director of Programmes Director of Administration and Finance

Mountain Farming Systems Dr. N.S. Jodha ' Division Head Dr. Tej Partap Mountain Agroecologist Mr. Sugandha Shrestha Animal Husbandry Specialist Dr. L.R. Verma Apiculturist Prof. Lu Rongsen Mountain Horticultural Scientist

Population and Employment Dr. Pitamber Sharma Act. Division Head

Mountain Infrastructure and Technology Mr. Suresh Sharmd E:::nergy Economist

Mountain Environmental Management Prof. Pei Shengji Division Head Prof. Suresh Raj Chalise Mountain Ecosystems' Specialist Mr. Balram Bhatta Forest and Watershed Mngt.

Ms. Jeannette Denholm Mr. P.B. Shah Mr. A.R. Pathak Mr. B. Shrestha Mr. G. Nakarmi Mr. J.K. Subba

Specialist Forester Land Use Analyst Hydrologist GIS Specialist Geomorphologist Socioeconomist

Documentation and Information Exchange

Area Development Planning and Implementation Dr. Kamal Banskota Resource Economist Mr. Surya Man Shakya Environmental Mngt. Specialist Mr. Bikas Sharma Agricultural Economist Mr. Narendra Khanal Geographer Mr. A.K. Thaku Cartographer

Natural Resources' Assessment and Monitoring Mr. Pramod Pradhan Systems Analyst Mr. P.K Kotta GIS Analyst Ms. Ma Sein Mya Environmental nformation

Specialist Mr. lafer Karim Water Resou'ces' SpeCIalist Mr. Basanta Shrestha E:::lectronics E-l:1gineer Mr. Rainer Schmidt Cartographer

Finance and Administration Mr. Milan Raj Tuladhar Mr. Ruben Subba Mr. C.B.S. Kansakar

Publications' Unit Ms. Greta Rana Ms. Archana Karki

Chief Accountant Administrative Officer Administrative Officer

Editor Assistant Editor

37

Income and Expenditure Account The financial management of the Centre is implemented through the establishment of Core Funds and Project Funds. All unrestricted contributions made by sponsors and member countries are credited to the Core Funds. All restricted contri­butions, made by sponsors, governments, and non-governments sources, for specific projects are credited to Project Funds.

Core Fund Source of Fund His Majesty's Government of NEPAL

Federal Republic of GERMANY

Government of SWITZERLAND People's Republic of CHINA

Government of INDIA

Government of PAKISTAN Royal Government of BHUTAN

People's Republic of BANGLADESH

Federal Chancellary of AUSTRIA

Sale of Assets

Other Income

Opening Balance

EXPENDITURES Programme Cost

Support Cost

Directorate Cost Termination Cost

Total Expenditures

Closing Balance

Project Fund

TOTAL

TOTAL

-=----:-::----;--- - --Source of Fund Netherlands

FORD

ADB

IDRC

FAO

UNESCO

AKF

GTZ

SOC

EEC

USAID MacArthur

Others

Opening Balance

EXPENDITURES Total Expenditures

Closing Balance

TOTAL

TOTAL

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 29,504 24,24324,028 39,841 17,523 10,987 11,737 11,737

798,500 680,041 735,807 715,530 568,967 629,186 555,212 &35,040 163,120 340,000 283,907 325,697 424,210 367,403 254,577 349,200 20,000 50,930 19,158 18,380 14,836 20,000

94,608 80,319 92,958 46,479

4,044

93,175

22,755

47,048

5,820

10,186

67,771

23,879

26,766

55,363

(38,684)

23,771 5,895

9,614

22,280

88,169

12,276

105,605

(47,305)

17,136

3,873

20,188

10,000

222,000 222,965

158,052

(140,915)

214,539 160,847

1,108,343 1,208,695 1,202,328 1,204,832 1,191,863 1,084,256 1,189,466 1,690,995

1985 670,292

252,092

116,323

1986 1987 760,605 889,093

305,031 238,166

119,616 120,230

1988 607,312 331,832

246,769

1989 1990 628,917 563,368

311,370 372,957

302,035 345,397

1,038,707 1,185,252 1,247,489 1,185,913 1,242,322 1,281,722

69,636 23,443 (45,161) 18,919 (50,459) (197,466)

1,108,343 1,208,695 1,202,328 1,204,832 1,191,863 1,084,256

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990

22~,347 233,209 141,633 114,869

1991 462,839 305,214

260,565

1992 523,959 424,965

333,828

187,985

1,028,618 1,470,737

160,848 220,258

1,189,466 1,690,995

1991 1992 fotal

153,382

313,262 313,262

167,000 1,032,440

260,319 468,011 443,777 682,554 428,188 2,282.849

10,430

14,643

3,204

33,779

16,092

24,400

21,018

3,.100

261,781

23,570

5,209

21,397

77 869

6,600 129,327

2,401

194 7.069

154,974 188,384 13~ 765 16fl,484

7,109 7,633 71,579

(1:),960) 156.370

32,304

338,787

52,630

241,130

3: ,276

221,322

69,001 8,856 2,<,19

<;9,725

109,261

22,961

35,465

265,653

179,722 435,824

5,000

7,000

6,052

27,726

64,768

49,156

05,000

66,693

72.214

77,869

,.'7,556

137,007

rll,375

72,117

65,000

49,46:1 286,900

138,179 1,369,661

32,182 269,275 928,632 1,089,472 904,530 1,120,525 1,429,618 1,500,536 7,274,770

1985 48,285

(16,103)

1986 104,026

165,249

1987 415,687

512,945

1988 823,611

265,861

1989 691,712

212,818

1990 707,663

412,862

1991 1,291,438

138,180

1992 TOTAL 1,043,221 5,125,643

457,315 2,149,127

32,182 269,275 928,632 1,089,472 904,530 1,120,525 1,429,618 \1,500,536 7,274,770

Note: Opening and closing balances may vary because of the different cxclumge rates being used and adjustments for the closing

projects.

38

CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL INCOME (In US Dollars)

Thousands

800

600

400

200

o 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992

• CORE Members. CORE Sponsors . PROJECT Sponsors • OTHER Incomes

CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL EXPENDITURE (In us Dollars)

Thousands

1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992

PROGRAMME Costs • SUPPORT Costs o DIRECTORATE Costs

• PROJECT Expenses • OTHER Costs

40

l+ice »aterhuuse

83! 1 , Giliander House Netall Subhas Road

. Cillcuna . 700 001 PO Box 2238

I elephone 20·900112131416 20·0166

Telex (021 )2)76 T elecopler (33) 202420

Auditors' Report to the Board of Governors of

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

We have examined the accompanying financial statement of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development comprising Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Fund Balances as of 31st December 1992 and Operating Statement for the year ended that date, which have been signed by us under reference to this report. Our examination was made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, and accordingly, included such tests of accounting records and such other auditing procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.

The financial statements have been prepared on the basis of accounting policies described in Schedule 7 to the financial statements. On such basis, in our opinion, the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Centre as at 31 st December 1992 and the results of its operation for the year ended on that date.

Kathmandu 12th February, 1993

n

~ YVv \.t-- )'" 'tv( .2.)-J;w'VL-~' PRICE WATERHOUSE

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Fund Balances

Fund Balances

General Reserve Opening Balance

As of 31st December, 1992

Schedule Reference

Project Cost Recovery for Institutional Support

Balance deficit transferred from Operating Statement

Closing Balance

Miscellaneous Reserves

Special Support Project Funds Unspent Balances Less Carried Forward Expenses

Net Balance

Current Assets

Cash in hand Cash at Bank

Current Accounts Time Deposits

Advance and Deposits

Less Current Liabilities and Provision

Accounts Payable Provision for Severance Pay

Net Current Assets

Deferred Revenue Expenditure (To the extent not written off or adjusted)

Significant Accounting Policies

Notes on Financial Statements

TOTAL

TOTAL

7

8

Nepalese Rupees

6,852,100

2,995,153

(464,288)

9,382,965

15,085,672

25,508,055 (6,026,412)

19,481,643

43,950,280

70,462

4,052,956 42,597,550

3,989,176

50,710,144

5,739,662 1,197,194

6,936,856

43,773,288

176,992

43,950,280

Director of Administra' n and Finance

US Dollar Comparative

160,847

70,309

(10,898)

220,258

354,124

598,781 (141,466)

457,315

1,031,697

1,654

95,140 999,942 93,643

1,190,379

134,734 28,103

162.837

1,027,542

4.155

1,031,697

This is the Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Fund Balance referred to in our Report of even date.

r ~e, It\-'?\.t 0"- 1tvv~ Kathmandu 12th February, 1993

PRICE WATERHOUSE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

41

42

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Operating Statement for the year ended 31st December, 1992

Income

Remittances from Donors Other Income

Expenditure

Programme Cost Support Cost Directorate Cost Termination Cost Deficit Transferred from

Completed Projects

Deficit for the year being excess of Expenditure over Income

Less: Operational Reserve written back

Balance deficit transferred to General Fund

Significant Acccounting Policies

Notes on Financial Statements

Schedule Reference

4 5 6

2 3

Nepalese Rupees

56,044,912 5,841,178

61,886,090 ----_ ...... ----- -

22,252,610 18,103,522 14,221,092 8,008,125

68,029 -------------------

62,653,378 --------------

(767,288) 303,000

--------------------(464,288)

--------------7

8

US Dollar Comparative

1,315,609 137,117

1,452,726 -------- ------

522,362 424,965 333,828 187,985

1,597 -------------------

1,470,737 --------------

(18,011) 7,113

------------------(10,898)

--------------

~fA:~n and Finance

This is the Operating Statement referred to in our Report of even date.

Kathmandu 12th February 1993

f J1/V U- Yv Yvvho,vt V­

PRICE WATERHOUSE CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Schedules forming part of Flnancial Statements

for the year ended 31st December, 1992

Nepalese Rupees ----------------

1 . Miscellaneous Reserves

Exchange Equalisation Reserve 11,715,009 Fixed Assets Reserve 889,186 Personnel Reserve 655,190 Publications Reserve 838,040 Building Reserve 988,247

----------------15,085,672

. . ======

2. Remittances from Donors (For unrestricted Core Support)

His Majes~rs Government of Nepal Deutsche essellschaft fur

500,000

Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) 27,052,680 Swiss Confederation/UNESCO 14,875,920 People's Republic of China 852,000 Government of India 1,980,000 Government of Pakistan 860,000 People's Republic of Bangladesh 426,000 Federal Chancellary of Austria 9,498,312

----------------56,044,912 ------------

3. Other Income

Interest on Time Deposits 1,500,536 Professional Services 1,918,303 Seminar Support 27,128 Vehicle Use 744,854 Communication Fadl ities 426,707 Reprographics 320,011 Miscellaneous Income 898,449 Scrap Disposal 5,190

---------------5,841,178 ----_. - -- -

US'Jjoliar Comparative

---------

275,000 20,874 15,380 19,672 23,198

----------------354,124

------------

11,737

635,040 349,200 20,000 46,479 20,188 10,000

222,965 ----------------

1,315,609 ------------

35,224 45,030

637 17,485 10,017 7,512

21,090 122

----------------137,117

-----------

43

44

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Schedules forming part of Financial Statements

for the year ended 31st December, 1992 (continued)

4. Programme Cost

Professional Staff Short Term Staff Travel Meetings Field Study Supply and Services Communications Utilities

5. Support Cost

Administrative Staff Operational Building Rent and Maintenance

6. Directorate Cost

Remuneration Board of Governors Meetings Travel Recruitment Cost Director Search Communications Others

Nepalese Rupees --------_ .. -

15,988,489 860,605

1,937,954 90,525

139,340 2,537,352

468,750 229,595

----------------22,252,610 ======

12,130,320 4,305,934 1,667,268

----------------18,103,522 ------------

6,361,464 2,721,649

206,184 1,716,468 ! ,347,274

314,675 1,553,378

14,221,092 ------- ---

US Dollar Comparative

-------------

375,316 20,202 45,492

2,125 3,271

59,562 11,004 5,390

_ .. _-------------522,362

======

284,749 101,078 39,138

----------------424,965

------------

149,330 63,888

4,840 40,293 31,626 7,387

36,464

333,828 --_. ----_ ...

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

7. Significant Accounting Policies

General:

The Centre operates as a non-profit making, autonomous institution.

Basis of accounting: ---------------------------

All income are accounted for on cash basis and all expenditure are accounted for on accrual basis

Functional and Reporting Currencies: -------------------------------------------------

The contributions are received in functional currencIes of the donor's country or in US ·Dollars. The reporting currency is the Nepalese Rupee and the financial statements are expressed in Nepalese Rupees.

Foreign currency translations: ---------------------------------------

(i) Assets and liabilities are translated from functional currencies and US Dollars to the reporting currency at the official exchange rate of Rs. 42.60= US $ 1 as applicable in December 1992. Income and expenditure are translated at official rates prevailing on the 1 st day of the transaction month. Exchange gains or losses are transferred directly to Exchange Equalisation Reserve.

(ii) The US Dollar comparatives have been translated at the aforesaid rate of Nepalese Rupees 42.60 = US $ 1. Hence these comparatives do not necessarily reflect the actual transaction in US Dollars.

Severance Pay liability: -------------------------------

Severance Pay Liability for the General and Auxiliary Staff is estimated and provided in accordance with the Centre's staff regulations and is based on the as~umption that the entire liability is payable as on 31st December, 1992.

Fixed Assets: -----------------

Cost of fixed assets purchased during the year is first set off against Fixed Assets Reserve and the balance, if any, is charged off in the accounts of various projects and core operation. Memorandum records are, however, maintained for all fixed assets in use where those are stated at cost at the date of acquisition or at fair market value at the date of donation (if received by way of gift). Depreciation on Fixed Assets although calculated in memorandum records, the same is not considered in the Operating Statement. Adjustments for short and excess found in physical verification are also made in memorandum records.

45

46

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

Deferred Revenue Expenditure: ----------------------------------------

The expenses for running and maintenance of Apartment Complex are carried forward every year after adjustment of recoveries for use of such Apartment Complex by the Project personnel, 'visitors and employees of the Centre. 10% of the opening balance of such Deferred Revenue Expenditure is charged off to revenue every year.

Sundry Recoveries: -------------------------

Recoveries on account of use of cars, computers, telex, telephone, stationeries etc. for private purpose are recognised as income. Recovery of overheads for institutional support cost from special support project expenditure at predetermined agreed rates are allocated to following reserves at the

rates indicated below:

(i) (ii) (iii) (iv)

General Reserve Personnel Reserve Fixed Asset Reserve Publication Reserve

Specuu Support Projects: ---------------------------------

@ 64% @ 14% @ 19% @ 3%

100%

(together with sale proceeds of fixed assets) (together with sale proceeds of publications)

Total of contributions received for Special Support Projects is shown under "Fund Balances" net of expenditure on such projects. Similarly, aggregate of expenditure incurred in excess of contributions received for special support projects is carried forward to set off against contribution receivable or expected to be received in future years. The deficit/surplus (where permissible) on Special Support Projects is finally transferred to Operating Statement on completion of projects

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

8. Note!; on Financial Statements

a. Fixed Assets:

In accordance with the policy of the Centre:

i) Out of the total cost of fixed assets purchased during the year amounting to Rs. 5,574,964, Rs 3,191,583 has been set off against Fixed Assets Reserve, and the balance amount of Rs. 2,383,381 has been charged off in the accounts of various Projects artd Core operation.

ii) Sale proceeds of Fixed Assets amounting to Rs. 1,410,453 has been credited to Fixed Assets Reserve.

Details of Fixed Assets as per Memorandum Records as at 31 st December, 1992 are'

At Cost/Valuation

in Rs. in US$

Vehicles 7,444,956 174,764

Computers 18,417,528 432,336

Office Equipment 7,684,598 180,390

Furniture 3,016,424 70,808

Total 36,563,506 858,298

b. Change from Approved Accounting Policy:

Core Fund Account Receivable.'

Annual contributions from donor countries/agencies for Core and Other Contributions for Special Support Projects as per accounting policy of the Centre are accounted for on a cash baSIS. However, advances and deposits includes an yearend balance of an earlier year's contribution from the People's Republic of China amounting to Rs. 90,908 (US$ 2,134) which continues to be held in trust by them and will be adjusted against settlement of payments in China by the Centre in future.

c. Change from last year's Accounting Policy

----~~-------------------------------------------

Severance Pay Liability

Unlike previous years, Severance Pay Liability to the extent of Rs. 1,197,194 for the General and Auxiliary Staff is estimated and provided in accordance with the Centre's staff regulations and is based on the assumption that the entire liability is payable as on 31st December 1992.

47

48

d. Reserves

i) In keeping with the Centre's accounting policies:

Fixed Assets Reserve has been utilised as indicated in Note a(i) above.

Personnel Reserve Rs. 939,153 (US $22,046) has been utilised for Terminal payments; balance of such payments has been reflec~ in these accounts as Termination cost.

ii) In accordance with Board of Governors' resolution of December 1992, an amount of Rs. 11,715,009 (US $ 275,000) has been retained in Exchange Equalisatiorf Reserve and the balance of Rs. 863,247 (US $ 20,264) has been transferred to Building Reserve.

iii) In accordance with the Director's approval (pending ratification by Board of Governors) Operational Reserve Rs. 303,000 (US $ 7,113) has been written back in these accounts.

~

ADB

APROSC

AIT

CAS

CAPES

CHIRAG

DIC/CAS

ESRI

FAO

GBPIHED

GIS

GRID

GTZ

HKH

HMG/N

HPHPMC

IDRC

IIRR

IMS

INSAN

KIB

LCWHS

MENRIS

MRE

MRM

NERRA

NFP

NPC

NGO

NWFP

PFI

PRA

RWG

SALT

SDC

SPWD

UBC

UNCED

UNDP

UNEP

UNESCO

UNITAR

UNU

USAID

WECS

Abbreviations and Acronyms

Asian Development Bank

Agricultural Projects Services' Centre (of Nepal)

Asian Institute of Technology

Chinese Academy of Sciences

Centre for Applied Economic Studies (University of Peshawar)

The Central Himalayan Action Group

Documentation and Information Centre, Chinese Academy of Science

Environmental Systems' Research Institute

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations

The GB Pant Institute for Himalayan Environment and Development

Geographic Information Systems

Global Resource Information Database

Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GMbH

The Hindu Kush-Himalayas

His Majesty's Government of Nepal

The Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing Corporation

International Development Research Centre

International Institute for Rural Reconstruction

International Mountain Society

Institute for Sustainable Agriculture, Nepal

Kunming Institute of Botany

Low-cost Water Harvesting System

Mountain Environmental and Natural Resources' Information System

Mountain Risk Engineering

Mountain Resource Management

Nepal Rural Reconstruction Association

National Focal Point

National Planning Commission

Non-government Organisation

North West Frontier Province

Pakistan Forest Institute

Participatory Rural Appraisal

Regional Working Group

Sloping Agricultu-al Lard ~ec."'nology

Swiss Development ('ooperation

Society for the Promotion of Wasteland Development

University of British Columbia

The United Nations' Conference on environment and Development

United Nations Development programme

United Nations Environmental Programme

United Nations Organisation for Education and Culture

United Nations Institute for Training and Research

United Nations University

United States Agency for International Development

Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (of Nepal)

49

~{l~'tiftp"'(i~g (COlllhtnes of the Hmdu Kush-Himalayan Regwn

Bangladesh

C na

I d.

o A E fI 101 N n RA I M NTAIN EVELOPMF N r (I< IMOD)

lakh I G.P 0 6 Kathmandu

243 ICI MOD NP 25313

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