Seminar on Issues and prospects of high altitude research

22-Apr-2009

More than 100 national and international experts, scientists and researchers working in the Park participated in the seminar. The seminar was divided into an inauguration session and two technical sessions where a total of 17 scientific papers were presented. Researchers working with Ev-K2-CNR within the framework of HKKH partnership project actively participated and presented their activity in the park whereas a presentation was focused on the overall activity of HKKH partnership project. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Kiran Gurung, Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation said, there is a need to throw open the doors for international scientists to carry out scientific research on different aspects of bio-diversity including biological research on plant and animal species while Minister for Environment, Science and Technology Ganesh Shah, Chairman of Technical session said that the Nepalese’s new year 2066 BS would be a significant one for the country in terms of science and technology. Italian scientist and Chairman of Ev-K2-CNR Scientific council, Dr Gianni Tartari showed concern about increasing pollution in the Everest region. Hom Nath Bhattarai, vice-chancellor of National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) said, "The government should come up with a definite policy that would facilitate the research activities for the international experts," adding, "however, utmost attention should be given to protect our national interest." The seminar is supposed to be important milestone to promote the management-oriented approach the HKKH Partnership Project has adopted and applied to scientific community. Furthermore, it would have the potential to raise international awareness for the quality of the national scientific community's work and its importance for the development of sustainable and integrated solutions for pressing problems.