Efforts and research into combating climate change remains a global challenge, and researchers in Nepal will now be able to contribute their findings and knowledge with the initiation of the Nepal Climate Change Knowledge Management Center at the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal opened the knowledge management facility with a goal to further the studies of climate change, as well as bring to the forefront the climate’s potential effects to the business economy and global ecosystem. With enhanced public access to climate change information, the country’s citizens will be able to address climate change issues and “facilitate interface between scientific research and policymaking, decision-making processes and development planning,” according to a press release.

The knowledge management institution was initially set up by NAST at its Khumaltar, Lalitpur premises last October in partnership with the Ministry of Environment. Even with more than 700 titles in reports, pamphlets, books and booklets all relating to knowledge management of impending climate change currently on file at the center, it isn’t enough, according to Dr. Dinesh Raj Bhuju, faculty chief and team leader of the institution.

“These are too scanty, he said. “We need more to facilitate researchers and public in general for their understanding about the challenging features of climate change, in particular the global warming.”

Dr. Bhuju added that planning is underway for a nationwide mobile library from east to west Nepal, covering 20 districts. The on-the-road campaign will feature interactive activities including on-location climate quizzes, lectures and exhibitions.

Several organizations were involved in the opening of the knowledge management center, including DANIDA, UK DFID, GEF and UNDP Nepal. Many well-known individuals showed their support at the center’s inauguration, including State Minister for Science and Technology, Indra Prasad Dhungel; Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr Surendra Kafle, and academic professionals and government officials of Nepal.

Tammy Wolf is a TMCnet copy editor. Previously she was assistant to the editor at The Darien Times, a weekly newspaper in Darien, Conn., where she edited submissions, did page layout and design and helped manage the newspaper's website. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Tammy Wolf