Theme of the Conference
“Save the Himalayan Biodiversity for future generations”
Organized by
Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University
Ministry of Forests & Soil Conservation, GoN
Ministry of Environment, GoN
WWF Nepal
National Trust for Nature Conservation, and
University of Bergen (Norway)
Supported by
Nepal Academy of Science & Technology
Nepal Agricultural Research Council
University Grants Commission (Nepal), and
Norwegian Research Council (NRC)
Background
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms, the genetic diversity they contain, and the assemblages they form. The direct benefits of biodiversity to humanity are myriad: we derive our food, fuel, fiber, medicines and raw materials for a host of manufacturing processes from this variety of organisms. Beyond direct values, they provide ecological services and play an important role in maintaining Earths environmental processes. Their ethical and aesthetic values are less quantifiable; they are nevertheless real and pervasive. The Himalaya, stretching over 4,000 km, is a singular entity of immense physical dimension. Owing to its extreme topographic and climatic variability, the Himalaya contains rich biological diversity. It occupies approximately 0.3% of the global area, and constitutes nearly 10% of the world flora. The region contains four biodiversity hotspots, 60 eco-regions, 488 protected areas, 1,106 Important Bird Areas (IBAs), and 53 Important Plant Areas (IPAs) in addition to rich agro-biodiversity and wild relatives of crops. The Himalayan region, however, also faces a high degree of threats, including climate change. There is general agreement among the scientific community that maintenance of natural levels of biodiversity is necessary for proper functioning and provision of sound ecosystem services. A major threat to biodiversity is habitat loss and fragmentation. In addition to climate change, inadequate data and funds, weak institutional set-up and management, unsustainable harvesting and illegal trade of resources are the challenges to attain the goals of biodiversity conservation. Marking the International Year of Biodiversity 2010, the Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, and the Ministry of Environment, Government of Nepal, are jointly organizing an International Conference on “Biodiversity, Livelihood and Climate Change in the Himalayas, ICBLCC-2010”, in Kathmandu, Nepal from December 12-14, 2010. The conference will be organized in collaboration with the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), WWF Nepal, National Trust for Nature Conservation, and University of Bergen (Norway), and supported by Nepal Academy of Science & Technology, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, University Grants Commission (Nepal) and Norwegian Research Council. The ICBLCC-2010 is expected to discuss issues related to biodiversity and climate change as well as cross-sectoral issues with particular emphasis on natural resources of the Himalayan region. The conference will also assess achievements on the Convention on Biological Diversity 2010 target to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss and an international regime on access and benefit sharing at regional and national levels.
“Save the Himalayan Biodiversity for future generations”
Organized by
Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University
Ministry of Forests & Soil Conservation, GoN
Ministry of Environment, GoNIn Collaboration with
International Centre for Integrated Mountain DevelopmentWWF Nepal
National Trust for Nature Conservation, and
University of Bergen (Norway)
Supported by
Nepal Academy of Science & Technology
Nepal Agricultural Research Council
University Grants Commission (Nepal), and
Norwegian Research Council (NRC)
Background
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life forms, the genetic diversity they contain, and the assemblages they form. The direct benefits of biodiversity to humanity are myriad: we derive our food, fuel, fiber, medicines and raw materials for a host of manufacturing processes from this variety of organisms. Beyond direct values, they provide ecological services and play an important role in maintaining Earths environmental processes. Their ethical and aesthetic values are less quantifiable; they are nevertheless real and pervasive. The Himalaya, stretching over 4,000 km, is a singular entity of immense physical dimension. Owing to its extreme topographic and climatic variability, the Himalaya contains rich biological diversity. It occupies approximately 0.3% of the global area, and constitutes nearly 10% of the world flora. The region contains four biodiversity hotspots, 60 eco-regions, 488 protected areas, 1,106 Important Bird Areas (IBAs), and 53 Important Plant Areas (IPAs) in addition to rich agro-biodiversity and wild relatives of crops. The Himalayan region, however, also faces a high degree of threats, including climate change. There is general agreement among the scientific community that maintenance of natural levels of biodiversity is necessary for proper functioning and provision of sound ecosystem services. A major threat to biodiversity is habitat loss and fragmentation. In addition to climate change, inadequate data and funds, weak institutional set-up and management, unsustainable harvesting and illegal trade of resources are the challenges to attain the goals of biodiversity conservation. Marking the International Year of Biodiversity 2010, the Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University, the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, and the Ministry of Environment, Government of Nepal, are jointly organizing an International Conference on “Biodiversity, Livelihood and Climate Change in the Himalayas, ICBLCC-2010”, in Kathmandu, Nepal from December 12-14, 2010. The conference will be organized in collaboration with the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), WWF Nepal, National Trust for Nature Conservation, and University of Bergen (Norway), and supported by Nepal Academy of Science & Technology, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, University Grants Commission (Nepal) and Norwegian Research Council. The ICBLCC-2010 is expected to discuss issues related to biodiversity and climate change as well as cross-sectoral issues with particular emphasis on natural resources of the Himalayan region. The conference will also assess achievements on the Convention on Biological Diversity 2010 target to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss and an international regime on access and benefit sharing at regional and national levels.
Important Deadlines
First circular of conference April 30, 2010 S
ubmission of pre-registration form July 31, 2010
Submission of abstract August 31, 2010
Second and final circular August 31, 2010
Registration (normal rate) October 31, 2010
Registration (after November 1, with late fee)
On-the-spot registration
Note: We highly appreciate submission of full papers by October 31, 2010, so as to publish in the journal Botanica Orientalis (Special Issue 2010).
Passport and Visa Tourists who visit Nepal must hold valid passports and visas. All non-Nepalese can obtain Nepal visa upon arrival at Kathmandu airport or at border immigration offices (if you are entering via surface travel).
Visa fee: Multiple entry fee (for 15 days) = US$ 25.
Weather Information The weather is cold, and usually clear, throughout the day in December.
The mean maximum temperature is 17.9°C, and minimum temperature is about 2°C.
Language: The language of the conference is English.
Fees and Payment Registration fee
(within October 31, 2010) US$ 200 (for overseas participants) and US$ 100 (for participants from SAARC countries)
NPR. 1500 for Nepali participants (NPR. 1000 for students)
Registration fee (after November 1, 2010)
US$ 300 (for non-Nepalese participants) and
US$ 150 (for participants from SAARC countries).
Note: Registration fee covers modest accommodation, registration kit, lunch and reception dinner. The registration fee can be waived to some participants from the developing countries upon request. Post conference fieldtrip (for non-Nepalese participants only)*
Kathmandu Valley (1 day) - Complimentary
Kathmandu – Chitwan National Park – Pokhara – Kathmandu (3 days)
Mountain Flight ( in the early morning from the Tribhuvan Int‟l Airport).
*The organizers will upon request arrange field trips (Chitwan and Pokhara) and mountain flights for participants with an additional fee.
International Advisory Committee
Prof. Peter H. Raven (USA) Prof. Andrea Pieroni (Italy) Prof. Stephen Blackmore (UK) Prof. Hideaki Ohba (Japan) Prof.Vigdis Vandvik (Norway) Prof. John Birks (Norway) Prof. Christoph Scheidegger (Switz„d) Prof. Krishna G. Saxena (India) Prof. Hong De-Yuan (China) Prof. Li De-Zhu (China) Prof. Anton Fischer (Germany) Prof. Surayya Khatoon (Pakistan) Dr. M. Sanjappa (India) Dr. Jean-Marc Hero (Australia) Dr. Madhav Karki (ICIMOD/Nepal) Dr. Dmitry Geltman (Russia) Dr. Bill Magnusson (Brazil) Dr. Edward Mwavu (Uganda)
Conference Subcommittees
Financial committee Convenor: Prof. KK Shrestha Members: Dr. IE Maren, Mr. KP Acharya, Dr. B. Pant, Ms. B. Shakya Technical session committee
Convenor: Prof. RP Chaudhary Members: Prof. SD Joshi, Prof. K. Basnet , Prof. M. Koirala (IoST), Dr. J. Bajracharya
Publication committee Convenor: Prof. PK Jha Members: Dr ORVetaas, Dr DR Bhuju , Dr SK Ghimire , Ms. S. Rajbhandary
Logistics committee (Accommodation, lunch/refreshments, transportation, venue, etc.) Convenor: Prof. U. Budathoki Members: Dr KR Bhattarai, Dr MP Devkota , Dr. CB Baniya, Mr. S. Devkota
Publicity committee Convenor: Prof. M. Siwakoti Members: Dr. SR Baral, Ms. M.Ghimire , Mr. BR Oli, Mr. G. Dhital
Registration Committee Convenor: Dr. L. Manandhar Members: Dr. K. Joshi, Ms. N. Pradhan, Ms. A. Devkota , N. Karmacharya
Exhibition committee Convenor: Prof. KP Shrestha (NHM) Members: Dr. RKP Yadav, Dr. S. Subedi, Ms. S. Vaidya , Mr. BB Shrestha
Excursion committee Convenor: Dr. SB Bajracharya Members: Dr. MK Chhetri (Ascol), Mr. RC Nepal (NTNC), Dr. C. Pokhrel (CDB), Ms. S. Shrestha (CDB).
Conference Sessions 1. Biodiversity assessment and conservation
Long-term ecological research (LTER) and biodiversity conservation
Biodiversity and biogeography
Biodiversity at gene, species and ecosystem levels
Forest biodiversity
Protected areas
Wetlands and invasive species
Transboundary corridors and issues
2. Biodiversity resources and livelihoods
Sustainable use of biological resources
Agricultural biodiversity
Ecotourism and biodiversity conservation
Genetic resources
Environmental goods and services, and PES schemes
NTFPs, traditional knowledge and community development
3. Climate change impacts on land-use, agriculture, and vegetation
Socio-economic and climate change impacts on agriculture
Risks/ vulnerability associated with climate change
Adaptations/ mitigation strategies
Ecological modeling under climate change scenarios
Habitat loss and fragmentations
Sustainable management of Ecosystem services
4. Biodiversity policy and law
Multilateral/ bilateral international treates/agreements, and conventions
Regional, national and customary laws
Intellectual Property Rights/ Patent Rights
Access to Genetic resources and benefit sharing
Biosafety and biosecurity
Special symposia
Biodiversity strategy of Nepal and CBD 2010 target and beyond (Convenor: Dr. KC Paudel, Nepal)
Landscape Conservation Initiative (Convenor: Dr. KP Oli, Nepal)
Floras of the Himalayan region (Convenor: Dr. Mark Watson, UK)
Climate change and REDD (Convenor: SM Nepal, Nepal)
Organizing Committee
Chairperson
Prof. Krishna K. Shrestha (CDB TU)
Co-Chairpersons
Prof. Ernst Nordtveit (Norway) Mr. Krishna P. Acharya (MFSC) Dr. Krishna P. Oli (ICIMOD)
Members
Dr. Jwala Bajracharya (NARC) Dr. Siddhartha Bajracharya (NTNC) Prof. Khadga Basnet (CDZ) Dr. Dinesh Bhuju (NAST) Dr. Ghan S. Gurung (WWF) Prof. Pramod K. Jha (CDB) Prof. Sanu D. Joshi (CDB) Prof. Madan Koirala (IoST) Dr. Inger Måren (Norway) Dr. Krishna C. Paudel (DPR/MFSC) Mr. Batu K. Uprety (MoE) Dr. Ole R. Vetaas (Norway)
Member Secretary
Prof. Ram P. Chaudhary (CDB TU)
National Advisory Committee
Dr. Dinesh C. Devkota (Member, NPC) Dr. Kamal K. Joshi (Chairman, UGC) Prof. Madhav P. Sharma (Vice-Chancellor, TU) Prof. Suresh R. Sharma (Vice-Chancellor, KU) Prof. Hom N. Bhattarai (Vice-Chancellor, NAST) Prof. Dayananda Bajracharya (Academician, NAST) Dr. Tirtha B. Shrestha (Life Member, Nepal Academy) Mr. Yuba R. Bhusal (Secretary, MFSC) Dr. Ganesh R. Joshi (Secretary, Ministry of Environment/GoN) Dr. Andreas Schild (Director-General, ICIMOD) Mr. Anil Manandhar (Country Representative, WWF Nepal) Mr. Juddha B. Gurung (Member Secretary, NTNC) Prof. Mukunda P. Gajurel (Dean, Institute of Science & Technology, TU) Dr. Bharatendu Mishra (Executive Director, NARC) Mr. Prachanda M. Shrestha (Executive Director, Nepal Tourism Board)
Note: Registration fee can be deposited in the conference bank account at Global Bank Ltd., KTM, Nepal., Account name: Biodiversity Conference 2010, Account No. 0501010000107 Swift code: GLBBNPK.
For Further Information Contact:
Shiva Devkota
ICBLCC 2010 Secretariat
Central Department of Botany Tribhuvan University Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: ++977-1-4331322, 4333722 Fax : ++977-1-4333515 ; Post Box: 26429
Email: icblcc2010@gmail.com
Website: www.cdbtu.edu.np/icblcc2010
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