In partnership with the National River Conservation Trust (NRCT), Aquatic Ecology Centre of School of Science, Kathmandu University successfully hosted the first ever river summit in Nepal in the bank of Sunkoshi River. The first summit brought more than 200 participants representing scientific community, policymakers, students and activists and farmers and fishermen. The summit highlighted pertinent issues related with rivers and advocated for their sustainable use and management. The summit brought out a 15-point Sunkoshi Declaration which was submitted to the parliamentarians before the country’s new constitution was promulgated in 2015.

The second river summit will be organized on March on the banks of the Trishuli River. It aims to bring wide range of stakeholders to discuss challenges and sustainable use of rivers. The deliberations will identify approaches for better management of river water in Nepal.

Nepal is going to federal systems and the issues of rivers, most of which are transboundary on federal states that will need strategies to resolve disputes. In tourism section, not many people know, Nepal the World's best whitewater rafting and Kayaking destination but may not remain for that long if we would not take the initiation to conserve the Nepal’s river. Therefore, the second National River Summit will also highlight these issues and aim to improve understanding around it.

As a post summit activity, there will be elevan days long rafting in the river Karnali from Upper Karnali dam site to Chisapani.

For tentative program, see the attachment.

Anybody interested to submit papers or posters, please write to aec@ku,edu,np

with the title of the same NO LATER THAN 30 FEB 2017.

Subodh Sharma, Co-Chair (TECHNICAL)