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. 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 also 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.

Terai Plain (Plain Area), Kathmandu Valley and Dun Valleys have been characterized with huge thickness of mountain fed deposits carried by river/wind at high gradient and formed at low lying area which have reflected similar to Lowland Problems. Furthermore, Kathmandu Valley is subject to rapid, unplanned city and urban planning on huge thickness of more than 600 m thick lacustrine deposit, forming a typical characteristic of lowland despite of existing at 1300 m above mean sea level.

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.

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. It is hard to convince governmental agencies that the engineering geologist and geotechnical engineers have vital role in managing geohazards along with civil engineering designs such as dams, bridges, roads, mines, quarry sites, high rise buildings together with residential developments and urban planning, water resources management and water-related disasters as well as waste disposal and wastewater treatment. Besides, Gorkha-Earthquake in April 2015 has also released very serious issues on social and disaster risk management sector. With these understandings, Himalaya Conservation Group Nepal (HCG) and Ministry of Home Affairs (Government of Nepal) have planned to organize First Himalayan Engineering Geological Congress (HEGC -I) on the major theme: “Engineering Geology and Geotechniques for Developing Countries” in association with Nepalese Society of Engineering Geologists (NSEG).

The main aim of this congress is to unite all Geoengineers, Civil Engineers, City/Urban Planners, Engineering Geologists, Geoscientists, Disaster Experts, Social Welfare Researchers and Professionals in a single platform to share and give exact solutions to the global society through transferring knowledge and skills from the from highland/mountain to lowland/low lying areas and vice versa.

This kind of international congress always provides a wide range of advancement in the Engineering Geology and Geotechiques for disaster risk management 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. Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), Himalaya Conservation Group and 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, disaster risk management and discussion forums. This second 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, engineers working in the field of engineering geology, geotechniques, geodisasters, urban planners, disaster risk management, 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.

Congress Plan

11 May 2019 (Sat): Pre-conference excursions

12 May 2019 (Sun):    Inaugural program followed by technical sessions and Welcome Reception

13 May 2019 (Mon):   Technical Sessions

14-16 May 2019:        Post-conference Excursion