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Masaru Yoshida, Gondwana Institute for Geology and Environment (Japan)
Bishal Nath Upreti, Department of Geology, Trichandra Campus, Tribhuvan University (Nepal)
Santa Man Rai, Department of Geology, Trichandra Campus, Tribhuvan University (Nepal)
Tara Nidhi Bhattarai, Department of Geology, Trichandra Campus, Tribhuvan University (Nepal)
Prakash Das Ulak, Department of Geology, Trichandra Campus, Tribhuvan University (Nepal)
Ananta Prasad Gajurel, Department of Geology, Trichandra Campus, Tribhuvan University (Nepal)
Ranjan Kumar Dahal, Faculty of Engineering, Kagawa University (Japan)
Subodh Dhakal, Faculty of Engineering, Saitama University (Japan)
Matrika Prasad Koirala, Simulation Tectonics Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Ryukyu University (Japan)
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The Himalaya is the largest, highest and most active mountains on the globe, and is still very actively changing its mountain topography and environment. The mountain range exhibits distinct zonal arrangements of geology, geomorphology, and climate. Consequently, a variety of natural hazards occurs in this mountain range and they are also zonally arranged along the range. Thus, the Himalaya is the best laboratory to study nature and natural hazards. We published the Guidebook for Himalayan Trekkers, Series No.1,?gGeology and Natural Hazards along the Kaligandaki Valley, Western Nepal?h in 2005 (Upreti and Yoshida, Special Publication No.1 of the Department of Geology, Trichandra Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu). The series No.2, ?gNatural Environment along the Everest Trekking Course, Eastern Nepal?h is under the process of publication, and a provisional Japanese guidebook, ?hGeology and Natural Hazards along the Dudhkoshi Valley, Everest Area?h was published last year (Yoshida et al., 2007, GRG/GIGE Miscl. Pub. 18, Field Science Publishers, Hashimoto). The field program for the guidebook series No3, ?gGeology and Natural Hazards along the Langtang Valley, Central Nepal?h starts this year. Successive numbers of the series are planned for the area surrounding Kathmandu, the Tansen to Lumbini route, the Maleku area, and so on, to cover important areas in the Nepal Himalaya. The guidebooks may contribute to help Himalayan trekkers to become familiar with the nature of Himalaya. Similarly, the guidebooks will help international scientists, teachers, students, and citizens to get general information of natural environment specifically of geology and natural hazards in the Himalaya and to be inclined to visit the Nepal Himalaya to conduct eco-trekking. The guidebooks are also expected to be useful to local people and local governmental officers to understand natural environment on which their lives rely. Some of the above areas, especially the Everest (1200km2 of territorial dimensions), Annapurna (8200km2), and Langtang (2000km2) areas are considered suitable as the UNESCO Geopark. We will start to make effort to apply for the registration of these areas as the Geopark. These areas are central of trekking tourism in Nepal, and are very appropriate for the study of natural environment of the Himalaya. National park offices have published several leaflets on natural environment including botany, zoology, and geosciences for visitors to study. Our guidebook series mentioned above will sure to enhance people?fs education on natural environment. The registration of these areas as the UNESCO Geopark will sure to be useful for the welfare of local communities and people, as well as all Nepalese people. We plan to make up effective secretarial centre and loose associations of related bodies including governmental agencies, foundations, business unions, museums, etc. The secretarial centre will be the Faculty of Science, Tribhuvan University.
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