Arun Bhakta Shrestha

Aerosol and Precipitation Chemistry at a Remote Himalayan Site in Nepal

As a part of a year long aerosol measurement program in the Nepal Himalayas, a series of 12 h samples of aerosol and event-based samples of precipitation were collected in postmonsoon, 1996; premonsoon, 1997; and monsoon, 1997. Results show that diurnal variations in the regional valley wind system are responsible for variations in the major ion (Na + , NH 4 + , K + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Cl - , NO 3 - , and SO 4 -2 ) concentrations in the aerosol. On time scales greater than a day, changes in atmospheric circulation and associated changes in the precipitation regime have an important effect on aerosol ion concentrations. Periods of high major ion concentration in the aerosol generally coincide with similar periods in precipitation chemistry, although a linear relationship between concentrations in these 2 media is not robust due to limited data. High scavenging ratio values are found for all species except SO 4 2- . Nitrate, Cl - , and NH 4 + are enriched in the precipitation compared to the aerosol, implying the presence of gaseous acidic species (HNO 3 and HCl) and gaseous NH 3 in the air. Ammonium was also enriched with respect to SO 4 2- in aerosol during a dry episode in the monsoon season. This may represent relatively local sources of NH 3 (from neighboring villages) and was not scavenged due to the lack of precipitation. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis clearly shows the presence of 2 dominant pollutant transport mechanisms for the premonsoon and monsoon seasons (i.e., valley wind system and monsoon circulation). Although physically different, these 2 transport mechanisms follow similar transport pathways and transport aerosol into the Himalayas from similar source regions. Further, EOF analysis suggests a southerly maritime signal in the aerosol during monsoon and a more distant westerly maritime signal during premonsoon. Our results support the potential for using glaciochemical records from the Himalayas to investigate variations in the strength of past monsoon circulation and westerly disturbances.

Enhancing Knowledge Management and Adaptation Capacity for Integrated Management of Water Resources in the Indus River Basin

Abstract The Indus River Basin is characterized by downstream areas with the worlds largest irrigation system, providing food and energy security to more than 215 million people. The arid to semiarid basin is classified as a net water deficit area, but it also suffers from devastating floods. Among the four basin countries, Pakistan is most dependent on water originating in high mountain catchments and is therefore most vulnerable to climatic, socioeconomic, and other global changes that are impacting both supply and demand. Given the consensus that there is a lack of systematic and consistent hydrological, meteorological, biophysical, and socioeconomic data to promote integrated water resources management (IWRM) at the basin scale, an international consultation of scientists, water managers, and development partners was organized in 2010. These experts suggested developing a long-term Indus Basin Research Program aiming to build a robust, consolidated, and shared scientific knowledge base and thus improve understanding of the coupled human and ecological processes and their interrelationships in the basin. This paper summarizes the rationale for initiating such a coordinated multidisciplinary research, knowledge management, and capacity development process aiming to support water management policies and programs from design stage to implementation, using the framework of integrated river basin management (IRBM). The paper further stresses the need to implement IRBM using IWRM tools, recognizing that multiple factors and actors play critical roles in improving management of water and other natural resources to enhance overall water productivity. The steps needed to initiate and consolidate national and international institutional coordination, capacity development, and policy support to operationalize an IRBM process are spelled out. A long-term research and capacity-building program for international organizations and scientists is recommended to foster transboundary cooperation and scientific collaboration.

Focus Issue: Water Resources in the Upper Indus Basin and Beyond

The Indus river basin supports the world’s largest irrigation system. Climate change is definitely adding risks to the prime sectors of agriculture, energy, disaster management, and sanitation, where water plays the most critical role. The main issue is uncertainty in the volume and seasonality of future water supply. The recent incidence of extreme rainfall and flooding has led to devastation. At the same time, all scenarios predict a serious shortfall in future water supply in the basin and point to the need for better (transboundary) management. Since the integrated water resources management (IWRM) approach at basin level has successfully addressed similar problems in other river basins, we feel that an integrated river basin management (IRBM) approach for the Indus will not only enhance supply by storing water during high flow but also increase use efficiency by allocating water amongst the sectors and users more judiciously. What is needed are policy and institutional reforms that ensure both equitable access and remove disincentives to conserving water. In MRD 31.3 (August 2011), 3 initial papers focusing on the Indus Basin and water resource management were published; in this issue, 3 additional papers discuss the linkages between climate, precipitation, glaciology, and river runoff.

Advancing Regional and Transboundary Cooperation in the Conflict-Prone Hindu Kush–Himalaya

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) supports regional and transboundary cooperation to meet challenges of climate change, disaster risks, and sustainable development in the Hindu Kush–Himalaya (HKH). Action to sustain the HKH has the potential to directly improve the lives of more than one fourth of the worlds population. However, facilitating cooperation and policy coherence among the countries sharing HKH resources is a persistent challenge in a region that is prone to conflict and is highly variable regarding development. At ICIMOD, we work across HKH countries to help attain common goals related to sustainable development, using our skills in bringing together different groups within programmatic transboundary approaches covering topics such as river basins or transboundary landscapes. In addition, the Hindu Kush Himalayan Monitoring and Assessment Programme and the Himalayan University Consortium have made strides in promoting regional and transboundary cooperation among HKH countries, particularly emphasizing research synthesis and the role of academia.