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Climate experts and advocates have underscored the importance of inter-country collaboration to mitigate the increasing risks, losses, and damages caused by climate change-particularly in glacial watershed areas.
Speaking at an interaction program organized by the Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) in Kathmandu on Saturday, experts stressed the urgency of establishing cross-border early warning systems to minimize the impacts of climate-induced disasters.
They noted that the absence of effective information-sharing and coordination among countries and agencies has exacerbated the damage to lives and property in recent years.
Qianggong Zhang, Head of the Climate and Environment Risks Unit at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), emphasized the need for robust research to lay the foundation for climate resilience. He also pointed out that mountainous nations can benefit significantly if developed countries transfer technology and knowledge to Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
Climate expert Dr. Dharma Uprety stated that Nepal alone cannot tackle the growing threat of climate-induced disasters. "With the increasing frequency of such events, regional collaboration is not just important-it’s essential," he said. Dr. Uprety also noted that climatic events in neighboring countries like India and China can serve as valuable lessons for Nepal.
Glacial flood researcher Shree Kamal Dwibedi highlighted the need for Nepal to build its capacity in climate risk reduction. He stressed the importance of expanding research on glacial floods, noting that not all such disasters are caused solely by glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Dwibedi also advocated for the establishment of a dedicated agency to monitor and respond to multiple hazards induced by climate change.
“Development projects in Nepal are being hampered due to the lack of proper assessment of glacial flood impacts,” he added.
Reena Chaudhary, Environment Inspector at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), shared that the authority is working to reduce risks and respond effectively in the aftermath of disasters.
Former NEFEJ Chairperson Kosmos Biswokarma and environmental expert Dr. Binod Bhatta emphasized the importance of timely training, workshops, and media orientation to strengthen the role of journalists in climate risk mitigation and awareness.
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