Stakeholder consultation: Emissions from open burning of agricultural residue

Programmes

Atmosphere

Venue

Online, MS Teams

Date & Time

24 August 2021

Contact

Sagar Adhikari

Organized by: Central Department of Environmental Science (CDES) – Tribhuvan University and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

About the seminar

In recent decades, the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) has been affected by rising emissions of air pollutants raising concerns about deteriorating air quality, impacts on health and visibility, changes in atmospheric heating and cooling, and changes in cloud microphysics and the strength and timing of the monsoon. The Central Department of Environmental Science (CDES), TU and our Atmospheric Watch Initiative (AWI) have been working together to address the issue of open agricultural burning – a major source of seasonal air pollution – focusing on the causes, effects, and possible mitigation measures in Nepal.

The main objective of the seminar is to bring together various stakeholders – Department of Environment, Department of Agriculture/Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Industry, Nepal Agricultural Federation, representatives from pellet industries, farmers, and academia to discuss the current scenario of open agricultural burning in Nepal and potential mitigation solutions, such as the use of residue as a potential alternative fuel source. The seminar is expected to lead to future strategic collaborations to address the issue.

Agenda

24 August 2021 | 11:00-13:00 (NPT)

Time	Programme	Speakers
Opening session (Facilitator: Enna Mool, Faculty Member, CDES)
11:00-11:30	Online registration	Sagar Adhikari, Water and Air, ICIMOD
	Welcome remarks	Rejina Maskey, Professor and Head, CDES and Pema Gyamtsho, Director General, ICIMOD
	Programme overview	Siva Praveen Puppala, Water and Air, ICIMOD
	Remarks by the chief guest	Pem Narayan Kandel, Secretary, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal
Presentations (Facilitator: Sagar Adhikari, Water and Air, ICIMOD)
11:30-11:40	Current scenario of open agricultural residue burning practice in Nepal	Bhupendra Das, PhD Scholar, CDES
11:40-11:50	Alternative solutions/ Potential mitigation options	Sugat Bajracharya, Livelihoods, ICIMOD
Panel discussions
Session chair/co-chair: Rejina Maskey Byanju, CDES and Bhupesh Adhikary, Water and Air, ICIMOD
11:50:12:40	Farmers’ perspectives Nahendra Khadka, Coordinator, National Peasant Coalition Saraswati Subba, Chairperson, National Land Right Forum Industry perspectives Kanhaiya Bhagat, Entrepreneur, Universal Briquette and Pellet Industry Surendra Gorkhali, Entrepreneur, Mhepi Briquette Industries Academic perspectives – TBC Urban municipality perspectives – TBC Government perspectives Hari Bahadur KC, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Indu Bikram Joshi, Deputy Director General, Department of Environment Chandika Bhatta, Senior Divisional Engineer, Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Supplies
12:40-12:55	QA and open discussion on panel sessions, conclusion by session chairs	All participants
12:55-13:00	Vote of thanks and closing remarks	Iqbal Mead, Atmosphere, ICIMOD