Browsing by Subject "Nepal"
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Item Appropriate Technology for Planning Hydroelectric Power Projects in Nepal: The Need for Assumption Analysis(University of Texas at Austin, 1981-06) Chandler, C.G.Item Bathymetric survey of Imja Lake, Nepal in 2012(Center for Research in Water Resources, University of Texas at Austin, 2013-01) Somos-Valenzuela, Marcelo; McKinney, Daene C.; Byers, Alton C.; Rounce, David R.Imja Lake is one of the most studied lakes in the Himalaya as well as one of the most rapidly evolving glacial lakes in Nepal. Many researchers have studied the lake and the potential of a glacier lake outburst flood from the lake. One of the important factors in assessing the outburst flood risk is the volume that could be released in the flood and good bathymetric data is necessary to estimate that value. This work reports on the 2012 bathymetric survey of Imja Lake and the rate of expansion that has been observed in the lake over the last two decades, since 1992. The survey was somewhat hampered by the extensive iceberg coverage of the lake in September 2012, but a good estimate of the bottom bathymetry and the current volume was obtained. When compared to previous surveys, it is very clear that the lake bottom has continued to deepen as the ice beneath the lake has melted. The average depth has increased by 62% since 2002 and continues to increase at a rate of 1.8 m/yr. The maximum depth has increased 28% since 2002 and is increasing currently at a rate of 5.8 m/yr. Perhaps more important in terms of glacier lake outburst flood risk is the continued rapid areal expansion of the lake which has expanded 41% since 2002 and is growing at a rate of 0.02 km2/yr. This expansion has resulted in an additional 6 million m3 of water for an outburst flood event, and increasing the maximum possible flood volume to 36.3 million m3 a 73% increase from what was calculated using 2002 data.Item Extending Electric Service to Rural Nepal, PRP 212(LBJ School of Public Affairs, 2020) Eaton, David; Joshi, Niraj Prakash; Gibson, DavidThis project examines the feasibility of expanding electrical service into rural villages not currently serviced by Nepal’s electrical grid. One hypothesis is that renewable energy sources can enhance each village’s economy and improve rural Nepal so as to produce local wealth and employment. The operational definition of “development” includes enhanced educational attainment, business development, and an improved quality of life and health. A key question is whether village electrification can be sustainable and cost-effective by providing electricity to light homes, schools, small businesses, health clinics, or pump water for drinking and irxviiogation. This project evaluated the technical and economic options to provide electric power based on different demand scenarios. Any effort to extend electric service to rural villages in Nepal distant from the grid would be based on a choice between grid extension (where that is feasible) versus renewable energy options such as solar, wind, micro-hydro, or biomass. Electric service is feasible only if rural residents can pay through user fees for operating costs as well as capital costs not covered by government subsidies or nongovernmental organization donations or investments. Rural electrification faces challenges beyond cost, such as Nepal’s mountainous terrain, available economic resources in each village, demographics, as well as each village’s system of local governance. A group of graduate students supported by staff and faculty from Tribhuvan University, Hiroshima University, and The University of Texas at Austin participated in a research project in 2017-2018 to evaluate prospects for electrification of two villages in rural Nepal. Project participants worked with representatives of Nepali government agencies and nonprofit organizations. Students visited two villages, Rakathum and Kothape, which have yet to be connected to Nepal’s electric grid. After evaluating the potential for grid extensions or renewable energy options for Kothape and Rakathum, students concluded that micro-hydro and wind micro-grids would not be feasible for those villages due to the absence of a sufficient hydraulic head nearby and prevailing wind speed too weak to sustain power generation, respectively. Study participants observed that the villages, although isolated, already had access to electricity via solar panels to charge cell phones and lights in homes, as well as laptops at the schools. As the villagers in Kothape and Rakathum earn their income primarily from farming, students evaluated the potential benefits from expansion of solar energy projects to supplement irrigation as well as use of biomass/biogas for household purposes. Connection to the existing grid also could be considered, given government initiatives in the area. It is beyond the scope of this project to determine how energy demands in Kothape and Rakathum could best be met, as such decisions will reflect potential subsidies or contributions from the Government of Nepal, non- profit organizations, philanthropic donors, and village residents.Item Ground penetrating radar survey for risk reduction at Imja Lake, Nepal(Center for Research in Water Resources, University of Texas at Austin, 2012-10) Somos-Valenzuela, Marcelo; McKinney, Daene C.; Byers, Alton C.; Voss, Katalyn; Moss, Jefferson; McKinney, James C.Item Open Defecation and Anemia in Children: The Case of Nepal(University of Texas at Austin Population Research Center, 2017-05) Coffey, Diane; Geruso, Michael; Spears, DeanItem Post-Earthquake Home Reconstruction in the Surrounding Hills of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, PRP 200(LBJ School of Public Affairs, 2018) Eaton, David J.; Josh, Niraj PrakashIn April of 2015, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Kathmandu Valley at the center of Nepal. Within the following year, Kathmandu was struck by a 7.3 magnitude earthquake and multiple aftershocks. The initial earthquake caused the deaths of 8,856 people, injured 22,309, and affected eight million more. Many agencies around the world came together to fund reconstruction efforts as part of a Nepal and a Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF). The MDTF conducted an Earthquake Housing Damage and Characteristics Survey (EHDC) which led to the creation of Nepal Rural Housing Reconstruction Program (NRHRP), which sought to reconstruct earthquake-resistant homes. The NRHRP developed a homeowner-driven grant process and established the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) to distribute housing reconstruction grants to families. Those grants were to be paid out via three tranches, each after the completion of a specific construction phase. During 2017, an international collaborative effort began among four parties: Hiroshima University (HU); Tribhuvan University (TU); Nepal’s Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC); and the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs (LBJ) of the University of Texas at Austin (UT). The team investigated the challenges and opportunities for reconstruction of homes in rural areas damaged by the 2015 earthquake in and around the hinterland of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Within the context of a university course, students began by studying alternative building technologies (ABTs) being implemented in Nepal by local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). When project members visited Nepal in March 2017, they interviewed rural residents to identify barriers to home reconstruction. During a field study, the students also met with local governmental officials and NGO representatives. This report describes students’ field investigation in Nepal, background research on alternative building technologies (ABTs) for home reconstruction, and recommendations developed from consultation with stakeholders and technical advisors. The first chapter starts with the earthquake and its associated damage and describes the response of the Government of Nepal (GON) and the international community in forming the MDTF, the NRHRP, and the NRA. The second chapter discusses different alternative building technologies (ABTs) considered by the GON, including bamboo, hempcrete, rammed earth, Compressed Stabilized Earth Brick (CSEB), earthbags, and modified conventional housing. Each section describes the type of building style, its construction, materials and labor required, estimates of construction time (if available), costs, and a brief section on comparative advantages and disadvantages. The third chapter describes the 2017 field study in Nepal, included the locations of the field study and interviews and discussions with local NGOs, the governmental agencies, and local residents. The research group sought to learn whether a lack of affordable and appropriate building methods could explain why many villagers still live in temporary shelters. Village residents discussed barriers to housing reconstruction unrelated to the type of home being built. The final chapter presents conclusions from 2017 field study observations of the three villages. Researchers found four common barriers to reconstruction: the cost of transportation and materials; insufficient reconstruction incentives; grant processes with many procedural barriers to funding; and the need for consistent interaction of the community with governmental agencies. One suggestion is to evaluate the home reconstruction program to assess its procedures and outcomes. A second suggestion is for Nepal to enhance the number and authority of mobile teams of professionals to assist villagers seeking to reconstruct homes.Item Water Resource Challenges in the Ganges-Brahmaputra River Basin, PRP 101(LBJ School of Public Affairs, 1993) Eaton, David J.; Chaturvedi, Mahesh C.