Nepal National Glacier, Water and Weather Week 2025 concluded

The Nepal National Glacier, Water and Weather Week (NNGWWW) 2025 concluded with a series of events from 17-23 March 2025. Every year, this week-long program is conducted to celebrate World Water Day (WWD) and World Meteorological Day (WMD) in Nepal to raise awareness about sustainable water management, and foster discussions on water-related issues and climate action. The United Nations has declared 2025 as the International Year for Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP) and the beginning of the Decade of Action on Cryospheric Sciences. March 21 was declared World Day of Glaciers to be celebrated annually from this year and Nepal included this in the NNWWW naming it Nepal National Glacier, Water and Weather Week (NNGWWW) from 2025. The Small Earth Nepal (SEN) is the Secretariat for coordinating this week-long program since 2009 where over 50 organizations from government and nongovernmental, public and business sectors, academia, youth-led organizations working in the related sectors come together and celebrate. Summary of the events are highlighted below.

Pre-week activities:

On 27 February 2025, Open Forum Discussion on “Science, Prediction, and Response to Global Decline in Mountain Snow and Ice.” was organized at International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Nepal jointly with Cryosphere Society of Nepal (CSN), International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS)-Nepal, Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Center (KIRDARC), Kathmandu University (KU), The Small Earth Nepal (SEN), Society of Hydrologists and Meteorologists (SOHAM)-Nepal, Tribhuvan University (TU), and UNESCO Kathmandu featuring Distinguished Professor John Pomeroy. The event gathered 64 participants (M:36, F:28), including experts, students, and researchers, to discuss the alarming trends of glacier retreat, shrinking snowpacks, and permafrost thaw. The discussion underscored the importance of collaborative research for sustainable water resources and climate resilience.
To mark the International Women’s Day 2025, an Interactive workshop on Gender, Water, Climate Change, and Environment was organized on 7 March 2025 at Holiday Inn Express, Kathmandu by the Australian Volunteers Program and The Small Earth Nepal (SEN), emphasizing Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI). The highlights of the event were a keynote presentation by Dr. Rebecca Ford (Australian Volunteer and Adjunct Researcher at the Institute of Forestry (IOF), Tribhuvan University), a panel discussion led by Dr. Dhiraj Pradhananga (Associate Professor, TU & UNESCO Chairholder, UNESCO Chair in mountain, water sustainability) with panelists Dr. Mandira Singh Shrestha (expert in gender, DRR and water), Ms. Nicky Shree Shrestha (environmentalist and knowledge management specialist), and Dr. Santosh Nepal (water resources and climate change expert). The workshop further had group activity among the participants focused on the critical intersections of Gender, Water, Climate change and Environment, with a strong emphasis on Gender Equality. A total of 35 participants (M:17, F:18), including representatives from NGOs, government agencies, educational sector and community leaders attended the workshop.
On 7 March 2025, a photography contest was organized by Smartphones For Water Nepal (S4W-Nepal) under the theme “Rivers: The Lifelines of Communities”. The contest aimed to highlight the ecological, cultural, and socio-economic significance of rivers in Nepal capturing the deep and dynamic relationship between rivers and the communities that depend on them. The event featured 10 participants (M:6, F:4), capturing the significance of rivers in community life. Photographers from diverse backgrounds, beginners, enthusiasts, and professionals participated using their lenses to showcase the beauty, challenges, and vulnerabilities of Nepal’s rivers. Through this creative platform, the contest successfully raised public awareness about river conservation, climate change impacts, and threats posed by human activities. A panel of judges, composed of environmental experts, evaluated the submissions based on criteria such as relevance to the theme, creativity, originality, technical quality, impact, and storytelling. The Photography Contest Winners were:

1. “A River’s Struggle Amidst Urban Expansion” – Spandan Neupane
2. “Marsyangdi River: The Lifeline of Tal” – Yogesh Paudel
3. “Sustaining Livelihoods: The River’s Gift” – Aastha Giri

Week activities:

The NNGWWW 2025 officially commenced on March 17, 2025 with an inaugural ceremony at Hotel Himalaya, Kathmandu. The event, chaired by the Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS), brought together government agencies, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, youth-led groups, and the private sector fostering a collaborative platform for discussions on water, weather, and glacier preservation. The NNGWWW inauguration program was chaired by Mr. Madhu Prasad Bhetuwal (Secretary, WECS) where the chief guest was Hon. Minister Dipak Khadka, Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Government of Nepal. The inauguration was followed by a sharing session of learnings of Watershed Project; A case from Rangoon Watershed. The sharing session was chaired by Rural Women’s Development and Unity Center (RUDUWC). A presentation was made on the implementation of the watershed project by Mr. Rajan Subedi (River Basin Manager, Oxfam Nepal). Similarly, Nepal Environmental Research Institute (NERI) and the Mayor of Parashuram Municipality also shared their roles in the project.
On 17-18 March 2025, hands-on training on HEC-RAS was held at Everest Engineering College, Lalitpur. The training was organized jointly by International Water Management Institute (IWMI)- Nepal, SEN, SOHAM-Nepal, Everest Engineering College, and Universal Engineering and Science College (UESC). The training was led by Engineer Binay Shakya (Assistant Professor, Nepal Engineering College). The training equipped 24 participants (M:14, F:10), including students and early career professionals, with skills in 1D and 2D flow modeling, hazard mapping, and flood analysis in the Koshi region. Participants engaged in hands-on exercises, simulating river channels and flood extents, while real-world case studies enhanced their understanding of hydrological assessments.
On 18-19 March 2025, IWMI-Nepal, in collaboration with SEN, SOHAM-Nepal, Everest Engineering College, and UESC, organized a two-day hands-on training on glacio-hydrological modeling using JAMS J2000 to empower female hydrologists and water resource professionals. The training was led by Mr. Saurav Pradhananga (Senior Research Officer- Climate Change and Hydrology, IWMI Nepal). The training equipped 16 early-career female hydrologists in simulating glacier-fed river systems, focusing on the Dudh Koshi Basin. Participants gained hands-on experience in both basic and advanced modeling techniques, bridging theoretical knowledge with practical applications. The training fostered gender inclusivity in hydrology, enhancing technical expertise and supporting sustainable water management efforts.
On 19 March 2025, The 13th National Groundwater Symposium was held for the first time outside Kathmandu in Janakpur, which marked a significant milestone in Nepal’s groundwater sustainability efforts. Organized by Center of Research for Environment, Energy and Water (CREEW), SEN, and Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Management Board (KVWSMB), in collaboration with Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Madhesh Province, IWMI Nepal, and WaterAid-Nepal, the event focused on “Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development and Management of Groundwater in Nepal.” The event featured expert discussions, a partner session by IWMI Nepal, and a panel on groundwater security in Madhesh Province. The symposium provided valuable insights into water security and sustainable groundwater management, reinforcing Nepal’s commitment to addressing critical water challenges.
A seminar “Thinking and Understanding Research in Climate Change Issues: A Guide for Graduate Students,” was held on 20 March 2025 at GoldenGate International College, Kathmandu, in collaboration with ESORCE, SEN and GoldenGate International College. The workshop equipped 30 graduate students (M:6, F:24) with interdisciplinary research skills covering methodologies, data analysis, literature review, and climate models like GCM, RCM, and hydrological models. Expert presentations by Mr. Kumar Aryal (Researcher, SEN and PhD Scholar, TU), and Dr. Nani Maiya Sujakhu (Climate change expert) provided insights into research frameworks, social science approaches, and systematic literature review techniques. An interactive session, including group discussions were done helping participants refine their research design for future climate change studies.
On 19 March 2025, SmartPhones4Water (S4W-Nepal) and Khwopa College of Engineering hosted a special screening of “Our Blue World – A Water Odyssey”, a documentary by Brave Blue World. The event highlighted the vital role of water in sustaining life, ecosystems, and human civilization, emphasizing conservation and sustainable water use. Attendees engaged in discussions on water security, management challenges, and innovative solutions. The event also featured the announcement of the photography contest results, Rivers: The Lifelines of Communities, celebrating artistic contributions to environmental awareness.
On 20 March 2025, a media workshop “Connecting Science and Society: Communicating Cryosphere, Water Resources, and Climate Impacts” was held in Hotel Marsyangdi, Kathmandu to enhance journalists’ ability to accurately report on climate and water-related issues. Organized in collaboration with UNESCO Kathmandu, ICIMOD, Media Action Nepal, SEN, KU, KIRDARC and WaterAid, the event brought together 30 journalists (M: 21, F:9) from various media houses across Nepal. The workshop featured expert-led discussions, case studies, and interactive sessions on glacier dynamics, climate change impacts, early warning systems, and disaster risk reduction. The workshop emphasized the media’s role in shaping public perception and influencing policies, strengthening science-based environmental journalism in Nepal to effectively communicate critical climate challenges.
IWMI Nepal, in collaboration with WECS, conducted an Inception Workshop of Water Resilient Tracker (WRT) Phase II on March 20, 2025, at Square Hotel, Lalitpur. As part of the Just Transitions for Water Security program funded by FCDO, WRT aims to integrate water resilience into national climate plans through policy and technical support. Building on Phase I, which assessed 14 climate and water policies in 2022, Phase II follows a co-creation approach to strengthen climate-resilient water management strategies. The workshop shared Phase I findings and featured a panel discussion on Water Resilience in National Climate Planning: Opportunities and Challenges, with insights from government and non-government experts. The event featured a group discussion on national climate planning, climate financing, and inclusive policies, gathering inputs for the next phase of WRT implementation.
On 17, 19 and 22 March 2025, The Small Earth Nepal (SEN) in collaboration with GeoDev, OSGeo Nepal, UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme and UNESCO Chair in Mountain Water Sustainability organized “hands-on online training on Google Earth Engine (GEE)”, bringing together 35 participants from 25 countries, including hydrologists, glaciologists, water resource professionals, and graduate students. The training was facilitated by Geospatial Expert Mr. Tek Kshetri (Founder, OSGeo Nepal). The participants were given hands-on sessions on satellite-based glacier monitoring and snow-cover analysis. Participants developed geospatial models, created time-lapse images, and showcased small projects applying GEE to water resource and snow monitoring, advancing technical skills and global collaboration in glacier preservation.
On 21 March 2025, The National Symposium on Cryosphere was held in Everest Hotel, Kathmandu to celebrate the inaugural of World Day for Glaciers 2025 under the IYGP initiative. Organized in collaboration with Cryosphere Society of Nepal (CSN), Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), Nepal Development Research Institute (NDRI), KU, KIRDARC, SEN, SOHAM, UNESCO Kathmandu, WaterAid and Youth Alliance for Environment (YAE), the event gathered 106 participants (M:72, F:34), including government officials, scientists, and development partners to discuss glacier-related hazards, climate change impacts, and risk management strategies. The inaugural session of the symposium was chaired by Prof. Dr. Achyut Prasad Wagle (Vice Chancellor, Kathmandu University) and graced by Hon’ble Minister Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, Minister for Forest and Environment, followed by scientific sessions and a panel discussion on glacier retreat challenges.Additionally, the UN World Water Development Report (WWDR) 2025 and its Nepali translation of the Executive Summary and Facts and Figures were officially launched by Dr. Dhiraj Pradhananga (Associate Professor- TU, President-SEN and Chairholder of UNESCO Chair in Mountain Water Sustainability), Mr. Bhawani S. Dongol (Executive Director, SEN), Ms. Sijal Pokharel and Ms. Prakriti Gurung (Natural Science Officers, UNESCO Kathmandu), and Mr. Gobinda Bahadur Shahi (Executive Director, KIRDARC). The event underscored the urgency of glacier preservation and climate resilience, reinforcing the need for collaborative action.
On 22-23 March 2025, on the occasions of World Water Day 2025 and World Meteorology Day 2025, First National Water Conference was organized at Everest Hotel, Kathmandu, bringing together key stakeholders, including government officials, experts, and various organizations. The event, inaugurated by Hon’ble Minister Dipak Khadka, Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, emphasized on the urgent need for water conservation. The conference gathered over 250 participants from government, civil society, academic institutions, and international organizations. The conference featured photo exhibitions and technical sessions focusing on integrated water resource management, governance, and community engagement, providing a platform for discussions on sustainable water management in Nepal.Led by WECS and supported by National Federation of Irrigation Water User’s Association, Nepal (NFIWUAN), the conference addressed challenges in water governance, climate change, and resource management. The conference consisted of multiple parallel sessions with experts which covered crucial topics such as integrated water management, transboundary cooperation, flood forecasting, and agro-productivity, highlighting the need for policy reforms and multi-stakeholder collaboration to ensure sustainable water use.
On 23 March, the World Meteorological Day (WMD) 2025 was celebrated alongside the National Water Conference, with a session on Glaciology and Meteorology, organized by the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) with UNDP. Experts discussed cryosphere monitoring, flood forecasting, and early warning systems, stressing the urgent need to strengthen Nepal’s disaster preparedness. Presentations highlighted challenges in glacier melt monitoring, impact-based weather forecasting, and GLOF risk reduction, promoting collaboration between national and international bodies to enhance climate resilience and disaster risk mitigation efforts.