Public Information events
The river quality in the HKH region suffers from a variety of different impacts, such as organic pollution, uncontrolled waste disposal, damming, water abstraction for irrigation, eutrophication, pesticide influx, and sediment entry. Most of these impacts arise from an intensive human usage of rivers to meet essential demands, such as drinking water supply, water for washing and bathing, and hydropower. Rivers may also have a religious component, for example, for burial places. Hence, people’s daily life in the HKH region is strongly linked to rivers and, therefore, also affected by the river quality.
A successful implementation of ASSESS-HKH, therefore needs to tie the public into the project. This is done by frequent information of the public about the research programme, its objectives, and the overall benefit for the region and its people. The information is structured on different levels depending on the audience to be targeted. The local inhabitants are addressed during local information events. A general public acceptance of the objectives of ASSESS-HKH is regarded as a fundamental step towards successful water management. This includes local water managers, representatives of the local (and district) government, various stakeholders, and, in particular, those people who live and work at the investigated area. The national scientific community is informed during information events held at Universities in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan. The international scientific community is able to gain information during various national and international scientific meetings, symposia, and congresses.
At this stage of the project, more than 35 information events were carried out during the reported period. The majority of events took place on the local level and were carried out nearby the project sampling sites. Eight additional information events were held for pupils, University students, and graduates. Some partners introduced ASSESS-HKH via internet news, printed media, conferences, and TV. Important state organizations were informed about the project and motivated to participate. The international scientific community and NGOs were introduced to the project at conferences.
Photos of some events
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Information event held a in public school in India by AHEC Institute. |
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Information event held by AHEC/India for Central Pollution Control Board of India. |
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Residents are informed about the life in the water on the spot. |
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Information event held in a small village in India. |
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Evaluation of an information event by a following discussion with the residents. |
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Information event organized by University of Kathmandu for several villages in Nepal. |
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Possibilities that arise spontaneously are used by scientist to introduce the project. |
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Information event for students held by BUET/Bangladesh. |
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Information event held by BUET for Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB). |