Benefits from training

Training has brought together experts from both inside and outside the region, which has led to clear dialogue and fruitful collaboration, both within the framework of HKH-FRIEND and beyond. This is a very positive outcome. Another positive benefit is that it enables young researchers and experts from different countries to come together and share their scientific experience and knowledge. Such interactions are not normally possible between some countries in the region for political reasons. Participants of database and low flow training have reported that they have benefited immensely from the training, and some university participants have even been encouraged to lecture on these topics and share their skills with other colleagues.

In Pakistan, database trainees are using their knowledge to develop a national database. Pakistan has been facing drought since 1998 because of low rainfall in the Indus catchment. The consequences are visible in almost every field, especially in national water resources, and are further aggravated by deteriorating water quality. The knowledge gained during low flow training has therefore been very helpful in understanding the phenomena of hydrological drought and in conducting low flow analyses. Similarly in Nepal, database and low flow trainees are using their knowledge for database management in the Jhiku Khola and Yarsha Khola watersheds and for a short-term low flow study of the Jhiku Khola watershed as part of the PARDYP Project at ICIMOD. Trainees from operational hydrological departments report that training has helped them in their day-to-day work and in developing confidence.

FRIEND 2002

8.5 Conclusions

Over the last four years HKH-FRIEND has made significant progress in initiating research and organising training for capacity building through the activities of its six research groups.

Member institutions have shown enthusiastic participation and a growing interest to host various group activities in different countries. The recent river water quality training in Pakistan and the offer of support from the Government of India for fieldwork in India, as part of glacier mass balance measurement training to be organised by Jawahar Lal Nehru University in 2002, are encouraging trends. Similarly technical and financial support from UNESCO/IHP, CEH Wallingford, UK, the German National IHP/OHP Committee/Federal Institute of Hydrology, Germany and ICIMOD have been the founding base and the most enduring factor which has assured the continuity of HKH-FRIEND and its activities. It is upon these stable foundations that HKH-FRIEND has now reached a takeoff stage.

For the next few years database development and training and capacity building will be the predominant activities of HKH-FRIEND. Support from CEH/DFID, UK (CEH, 2000) will enable the Database Group to actively develop the regional database, provide efficient functioning of the RHDC and help immensely in developing regional capacity for low flow research.

Collaboration with ICSI will provide very sound training, resulting in a manual for mass balance measurement. Flood forecasting models will also be developed with related training.

At present, HKH-FRIEND has strong links with WMO, CEH Wallingford, UK, German IHP/

OHP National Committee/Federal Institute of Hydrology, Germany and GRDC, apart from its natural links with UNESCO/IHP and ICIMOD. The links are widening and the working relationships with IAHS and its various commissions, particularly ICSI, are becoming stronger.

The recent Regional Consultative Meeting on Flood Forecasting helped to further widen its links with USGS, NOAA and Asian Disaster Prevention Centre, Thailand. HKH-FRIEND will contribute actively to the implementation of the Action Plan on Regional Flood Forecasting endorsed by the meeting, particularly in its scientific, research and capacity building activities, for which some funds have already been assured.

The major challenge in the coming years is to orientate the programme of activities of HKH-FRIEND and its six research groups towards practical applications. The most important areas will be sharing and exchange of hydrometeorological data, including real time data for flood forecasting models and methods for low flow estimation, snowmelt runoff and rapid assessment and measurement of snow and glacier mass balance. It is also important to have a closer dialogue between hydrologists and meteorologists to develop practical hydrological models for the region.

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