Second authors workshop for the HKH Springs Outlook

About the workshop

The Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HI-REAP) of ICIMOD is organising the second authors workshop to update the zero-draft of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) Springs Outlook. The workshop will bring together over 35 multidisciplinary experts from the region and beyond who will work on addressing reviewer feedback, refining chapters based on feedback, ensuring consistency across sections, addressing data and knowledge gaps, and begin planning the scenario development chapter of the outlook.

The event is supported by the United Kingdom International Development through its Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Objectives

1. Address reviewers’ comments and suggestions, plan next steps for the refinement of each chapter, and facilitate cross-chapter engagement to ensure consistency, collaboration, and alignment
2. Discuss the data analysis, visualisation, and management requirements, while identifying key knowledge gaps
3. Brainstorm and lay the groundwork for the creation of the scenario development chapter

Background

The drafting of the HKH Springs Outlook was initiated in 2024 with an attempt to close the gaps in spring science and provide recommendations for policy and practice. The outlook will present key scientific evidence around contribution of springs to water security in the HKH, the loss of springs and its consequent impacts on people and biodiversity, and the implications for achieving sustainable development goals and targets.

The first authors workshop, held in June last year, brought together more than 60 multidisciplinary experts from across and beyond the region. They discussed key research questions, content of various chapters, drafted the annotated outlines, and initiated zero drafts. Discussions emphasised the need for integrated, science-based policy responses to protect these vital water sources and strengthen regional water security.

The outlook is set to be launched by early 2026 and is expected to promote the wider adoption of springshed management as a nature based solution, one of the components within HI-REAP. The assessment will help provide a clearer understanding of the status of springs, drivers of spring degradation and loss, enablers and barriers to revival, and actions for policy uptake by HKH regional member countries.