Kathmandu Hosts Workshop On Space Technology For Sustainable Development In Mountain Areas

EARTH OBSERVATION

This Envisat Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) reduced resolution image was acquired on 16 October 2004 along the southern rim of the Himalayas defining the edge of the Tibetan Plateau.

Nepal and Buthan are situated just south to the snowcapped peaks, dark green area. Even further southward are located the plains of Bangladesh and India.

The principal river running through the plains from India to Bangladesh is the Ganges river. Also visible near the centre of the image are two major affluents of the Ganges River, the Ghaghara running down from the Himalayas and the Son.

The difference in height between the highest peaks and the plains can be more than 8000m on this image. One of the white peaks is Mount Everest (in Tibetan Qomolangma meaning 'mother of the universe') which at 8850 metres high is the highest mountain in the world.Credits: ESA.

Kathmandu, Nepal (SPX) Nov 16, 2004
Starting Monday in Kathmandu, Nepal, ESA and the Governments of Austria and Switzerland and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) are holding a five-day Workshop on Remote Sensing in the Service of Sustainable Development in Mountain Areas.

It is the first in a new series of activities dedicated to sustainable development in mountain areas. The Workshop lasts from 15 to 19 November 2004, and is being hosted by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

Remotely-sensed data provides unique views of the Earth for many studies that require synoptic or periodic observations such as inventory, surveying and monitoring in agriculture, geology, hydrology, mineralogy and the environment.

Remote sensing is integrated with other disciplines and technologies, including cartography and global positioning systems.

The primary objective of the workshop, being inaugurated by the Minister for Population and Environment of Nepal, is to discuss the potential uses of remote sensing and other space-related technologies in facilitating sustainable development in mountain areas.

The workshop programme includes case studies in the application of remote sensing to mountain areas. A number of interactive presentations will be delivered directly via satellite from Austria. A special event has been organised on ESA's Eduspace programme for educators from universities in Nepal.

Around 150 scientists, educators, decision-makers and engineers are expected to participate, from the following countries and international organisations:

Afghanistan, Armenia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Denmark, India, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Viet Nam, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), ICIMOD, ESA and OOSA.

The United Nations Programme on Space Applications is implemented by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) and works to improve the use of space science and technology for the economic and social development of all nations, in particular developing countries.

Under the Programme, the Office conducts training courses, workshops, seminars and other activities on applications and capacity building in subjects such as remote sensing, communications, satellite meteorology, search and rescue, basic space science, satellite navigation and space law.

ESA through its International Relations Department, is one of the major contributor to this UN Programme on Space Applications.

The International Relations Department of ESA is responsible for relations with non-ESA member states in support to its space programmes.

It is also responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, and assisting developing countries in using space applications, space science and technology.

EARTH OBSERVATION

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