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Assessment and Monitoring of Environmental Degradation in and around the Refugee Camps in Eastern, Nepal
Assessment and Monitoring
of Environmental Degradation in and around the Refugee Camps in Eastern,
Nepal
Background
Some 100,000 refugees and asylum seekers from southern Bhutan are accommodated
in seven camps in two of the most densely populated districts of eastern
Nepal. The refugees are of Nepalese origin having Bhutanese citizenship
and/or long term residence in Bhutan. The influx of asylum seekers began
arriving in Nepal since the beginning of 1991, peaked in 1992, then almost
stopped from 1993 onwards. The majority of the refugees are residing in
the camps, while the remainders are believed to have settled elsewhere
in Nepal.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is providing humanitarian
assistance to the refugees. The provision of adequate systematic baseline
data on the socio-economic and natural resource condition of the refugee
camps helps improve management effectiveness. Considering this,
United Nations Environment Programme, Environment Assessment Programme
for Asia and the Pacific (UNEP/EAP.AP) and the Asian Institute of Technology
Alumni Association (AITAA)- Nepal Chapter are jointly implementing the
above mentioned project in collaboration with UNHCR.
Goals/Objectives
The broad goal of the project as outlined in the project proposal is:
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To assess the environmental degradation in and around the refugee camps
before and after the arrival of refugees using remote sensing and GIS technology;
and
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To develop a GIS database focusing on particular components such as: deforestation,
flood, road rehabilitation and features of interest to UNHCR.
Activities
Major activities of the project include satellite data acquisition,
ground survey, GPS survey, data analysis and training.
Deliverables
The following outputs will be produced during the project period.
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study of environmental degradation in and around the refugee camps using
multi-temporal satellite data covering just before and after the arrival
of refugees as well as in 1998;
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Preparation of GIS database for environmental degradation in and around
the refugee camp sites in all 7 locations;
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Training to UNHCR staff on GIS, GIS database and GPS technology; and
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Preparation of GIS database for camp sites.
Institutional Framework
The Regional Director of United Nations Environment Programme, Environment
Assessment Programme for Asia and the Pacific will coordinate the project.
The project will be implemented together with Asian Institute of Technology
Alumni Association (AITAA)- Nepal Chapter and UNHCR. A strong partnership
will be established together with local governmental and non-governmental
agencies in both the districts.
Time Frame
The project was implemented during the period of September 1997 to February
1998.
Geographic Scope
The project covers seven refugee campsites in Jhapa and Morang districts
of eastern, Nepal.
For Further Information:
Mr. Surendra Shrestha
Regional Coordinator |
Tin Aung Moe |
UNEP Regional Resource Centre for Asia and the Pacific
Asian Institute of Technology
P.O. Box 4, Klongluang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand
Tel: (66-2) 524-6235, Fax: (66-2) 516-2125
Email: info@rrcap.unep.org
, Home Page: www.rrcap.unep.org
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