HEGC-I

First Himalayan Engineering Geological Congress (HEGC-I)

“Engineering Geology and Geotechniques for Developing Countries”

12-13 May 2019, Kathmandu, Nepal

Background

Himalaya is one of the most active and fragile mountain chains in the world but it is also the youngest and the highest mountain range on the Earth, which extends over a length of about 2400 km. It is the home to millions of people of Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bhutan and other South Asian countries. Every year, especially during the summer monsoon period, landslides and related natural disaster events claim many lives and destroy property, infrastructure and the environment of the Himalayas. A large number of human settlements on the Himalaya are situated either on old landslide masses or in landslide-prone areas. The gap in practices of engineering geological and geotechnical studies between developed and developing nations are immeasurable. Many developing countries do not adequately consider proper engineering geological and geotechnical issues in infrastructure developments. Himalayan region lacks proper engineering geological study guidelines for infrastructure development despite having established various national level organizations as well as producing engineering geologists through a university graduate course. It is high time for developing countries to understand the role of the engineering geologists and geotechnical engineers when considering construction and planning of engineering projects. This is especially important for the case of the Himalayan and Asian region because of its relatively very complex geological settings from young Himalayan mountains to Precambrian Indian Shield along with alluvial plains and coastlines.

A detailed and precise knowledge of engineering geology and geotechniques is an essential part of construction projects and geohazard analyses. In the Himalaya as well as developing countries, geologists and engineering geologists are still limited to mine and rock sciences. Governmental and non-governmental agencies in developing countries are still unable to understand the precise role of engineering geologists in civil engineering works such as dams, bridges, roads, mines, quarry sites, and large buildings together with residential developments and urban planning. Agencies are still unaware that safety in land development projects of development countries requires the expertise of both the engineering geologist and the engineer. It is hard to convince governmental agencies that the engineering geologist and geotechnical engineers have vital role in managing geo- hazards along with civil engineering designs. With these understandings, Nepalese Society of Engineering Geologists (NSEG) has planned to conduct its First Himalayan Engineering Geological Congress (HEGC -I) on the major theme: “Engineering Geology and Geotechniques for Developing Countries”.

This kind of international congress has been an instrumental forum for the advancement of Engineering Geology and Geotechiques in developing countries. Engineering Geologists, Geoscientists, Geotechnical Engineers, Civil Engineers, Structural Engineers Architects/Urban Planners, Disaster Experts from various disciplines around the globe can contribute and can be benefited from each other during the HEGC-I. The forthcoming event is going to enhance the geo-engineering knowledge, its mitigation and countermeasures for the disaster management in developing countries. Nepalese Society of Engineering Geologists has received an overwhelming response from geoscientists and geo-engineers around the world. So, this event will be another milestone in the history of Himalayan Engineering Geological and Geotechnical studies and discussion forums. This first circular issue will provide important information about the First Himalayan Engineering Geological Congress (HEGC-I). Registration is now open through the congress website, all the geoscientists and engineers working in the field of Engineering Geology, Geotechniques and related integrated disciplines are kindly requested to submit their registration and presentation abstract within the stated deadline. Your kind cooperation in this regard will greatly help the organizers to plan and execute this important event successfully. ONLY online registration will be acceptable.