Nepal

Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) Risk Reduction for the Himalayas - GLOF

Introduction

The Regional GLOF Risk Reduction Project, funded by DIPECHO and UNDP's Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR), aims to address the risks posed by GLOFs in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya (HKH) region comprising Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan through strengthening non-structural and community-based approaches.

A study conducted by the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) shows that there are 2,323 glacial lakes in Nepal out of which 20 glacial lakes have been identified as potentially dangerous. Occurrence of GLOF events is potentially increasing due to various factors, including climate change and the attention that has been paid towards reducing the risks posed by GLOFs in the Himalayan region is inadequate. The GLOF risk reduction efforts are mainly focused on structural, hydrological and geo-technical engineered interventions that have been undertaken in some of the places. There is a need to establish a holistic GLOF risk reduction and preparedness mechanism in the region. However, non-structural risk reduction measures such as appropriate early warning systems, awareness raising, coordinated preparedness and land use planning need to be developed and executed in areas affected by GLOFs. Hence, UNDP has initiated this project in order to reduce the risk of GLOFs by promoting community-based risk reduction approaches.

In addition, the project will also provide an opportunity for networking among practitioners from a range of disciplines, including climate change (CC), disaster risk management (DRM) and environment and development planning for more effective and enhanced knowledge sharing. The project will directly benefit communities and counterpart institutions working at local, national and regional levels on disaster risk management, land use and development planning and environment, water and energy management.

Project Objective

The objective of the project is to strengthen GLOF risk reduction efforts promoting non-structural and community-based interventions as well as enhancing understanding of socio-economic risks associated with GLOFs and.

Outputs

The intended outputs from the project are:

• National and regional needs, limitations and capacities to reduce the risk of GLOFs in the Himalayan belt identified and used.
• National staff in relevant ministries have knowledge and capacity to use gender sensitive community based approaches on GLOF risk reduction.
• A regional network of stakeholders for GLOF risk reduction in Himalayan region established and effectively uses shared knowledge to manage GLOF risk.
• A regional knowledge product on GLOF risk reduction through community-based approaches produced and disseminated.

Project Activities

The broad components of the Regional GLOF Risk Reduction project are:

1. Preparatory phase
   
   
   • Liaison and advocacy with stakeholders on the GLOF initiative:
     
     
     • Glacier and stakeholder identification
     • Sensitize various agencies/organizations on threats posed by GLOFs
     • Interact with communities in GLOF-shadow valleys and with local self-government and district administration officials
     • Synergize with on-going projects and initiatives in each of the project countries
     • Conduct national-level stakeholder consultations
     • Build upon and factor in existing initiatives and approaches
     • Establish a network of practitioners involved in GLOF-related work
     
     
   • Study GLOF events in Himalayan region:
     
     
     • Identify one/two glacial lakes of potential threat in each country
     • Study one GLOF event in each country with a view to look at the entire disaster cycle
     • Assess and develop an enhanced understanding of socio-economic impacts on communities
     • Explore community-based response, recovery and risk mitigation and preparedness measures adopted
     
     
   • Stock taking of GLOF preparedness and risk reduction measures in the region:
     
     
     • Assess needs, limitations and capacities
     • Focus on community-based EWS, land-use planning, risk mitigation strategies adopted
     
     
   • Bring out a Preparatory Assessment Report analyzing GLOF mitigation and preparedness measures in the region
   
   
2. Regional Workshop
   
   
   • Initiate an e-discussion on 'software' related issues:
     
     
     • Conduct e-discussions around case studies developed
     • Formulate appropriate community-centric GLOF risk mitigation and preparedness measures
     • Pilot test the approaches with identified communities in GLOF-shadow valleys in each of the project countries
     • Discussion outputs and lessons learned from field testing to feed into the Regional Workshop
     
     
   • Regional Workshop on 'GLOF risk reduction in Asia':
     
     
     • Bring together GLOF stakeholders, technical experts and environment, CC and DRM practitioners
     • Present case studies and identify challenges of undertaking GLOF risk reduction in HKH region
     • Focus on community-based response, recovery and risk mitigation measures
     • Formulate strategies from a socio-economic perspective
     
     
3. Publication
   
   
   • Publication on community-based GLOF Risk Reduction approaches:
     
     
     • Document case studies and knowledge generated through e-discussion and Regional Workshop
     • Collate regional and cross-regional experience to develop effective community-based approaches and validate them through practical community-centric activities
     
     
4. Stakeholders Network
   
   
   • Initiate a network of stakeholders:
     
     
     • 'Virtually' bring together risk reduction, environment, CC and development practitioners
     • Facilitate knowledge sharing on GLOF issues
     
     
   • Technical assistance to develop national GLOF risk reduction initiatives:
     
     
     • Assist UNDP COs/nodal departments/institutions with developing projects addressing GLOF risks
     • Harness technical assistance through the network of practitioners
     • Analyze existing policies on Environment/DM/development planning and suggest appropriate interventions for factoring GLOF risk mitigation concerns into development planning processes at administrative and community levels

Please visit www.managingclimaterisk.org for more information.

Current Program Period:	March 2008 to February 11, 2009
Location:	National level
Implementing agency:	UNDP
Funding sources:	European Commission UNDP BCPR