Himalayan Field Study Program(HFSP)
Items to bring for the trip (few suggestions)
The International
Institute of Field Studies (IIFS), in collaboration with the International
Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), is offering an
environmental field study program in Nepal.
The program is coordinated by Dr. Sharad C. Karmacharya, who successfully
organized a similar field study program for students from various universities
(Ottawa, Carleton, Simon Fraser,
Alberta,
McGill
Grant MacEwan
and Saskatchewan)
and professionals
since 2001.
The main focus of the
program is the study and experience of environmental, developmental, ecological
and cultural issues of the Himalayan region of Nepal. The academic component of the program is conducted through a
series of seminars, workshops and discussions with international experts and
assistance from local experts. Activities include visits to the Institute of
Forestry, and other governmental and NGO field activities such as a biogas
project, community forestry, watershed management and environmental management.
Other activities include trekking in the Annapurna region, rafting on the
Trisuli river, an elephant ride to watch wildlife (rhino, tiger, deer) in
Chitwan National Park, trip to view Mt. Everest, and visits to temples,
monasteries, palaces and other historical international heritage sites.
This program is
designed for environmental studies students, but it is open to everyone such as
teachers, environmentalists, development aid workers and others interested in
Himalayan environmental issues. Participants
must be in good health, and be open to a variety of cross-cultural experiences.
The HFSP is
organized by IIFS in collaboration with the ICIMOD, an international
non-governmental organization (INGO) which has its headquarters in Kathmandu,
Nepal and will be conducted in the Kingdom of Nepal under the direction and
supervision of Dr. Sharad
C.
Karmacharya, President of International
Institute of Field Studies, and an expert in forestry science and environmental
economics.
Stretching over
2500 kilometers, the Himalayas constitute on of the most complex ecological and
cultural system in the World. The
Himalayan region, broadly defined, provides the life-support base for some 50
millions mountain people and an estimated 400 million people in the plain.
Politically, the
Himalayas include Nepal and Bhutan, parts of China, Pakistan and Bangladesh, the
border region of northern Myanmar and Thailand, and many diverse parts of India.
In the past 30 years, unprecedented political tensions have beset most of
the Himalayan region, resulting in a large-scale military presence in many
areas, putting special pressures on the ecology of the mountain massif.
Culturally, the
Himalayas are a region traversed by three of the major linguistic, racial and
cultural dividing lines of Asia. In
some parts there is predominance of Tibetan Buddhism culture; in others, Hindu,
Nepali and Indian culture; and in still others a splattering of Islam and
Christianity. These cultures “meet,
combine, and collide in the nooks and crannies of the world’s highest mountain
mass, creating not so much boundary, border, or buffer, as a zipper which
stitches together these densely textured cultural fabrics.”
In addition, for centuries, the Himalayas – real or mythic – have
held a special sway on the minds and imagination of the people: they are part of
the “Sacred geography”, a “landscape of the imagination”, the “abode
of Gods” and the “origin and fountainhead of spiritual and poetic
fulfillment.” The Himalayas are thus an integral part of the cultural and
spiritual heritage of millions of people on the Indian subcontinent.
The focus of the
HFSP is the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal.
Its emphasis is on “field observation.” Hence, all participants are
encouraged to do the following:
The program is
directed and supervised by Dr. Sharad
C.
Karmacharya, and assisted by another
co-leader. Both the Program
Coordinator and Co-leader will lead the Group for the entire duration of the
Program.
Participants in
the Program are selected on the basis of their academic and intellectual
accomplishments, cultural and social adaptability, physical fitness, commitment
to learning about the developing countries and willingness to travel in a Group.
HFSP is
conducted in the central Himalayas, in the Kingdom of Nepal.
The area of study is environment, development and human ecology of the
Himalayas. All travel and other arrangements for the group are made by
IIFS, in consultation with ICIMOD, Tourism Nepal, Forest Department, National
Parks and Wildlife Department, and the Canadian Cooperation Office.
When ever possible, a number of scientists, environmental groups,
government officials, foresters, teachers, journalists, healthcare workers and
politicians will be invited to meet with the participants in the program to
share their views and life experiences, and to lead field visits to specific
sites and projects.
The Group will
under take trekking and hiking trips in the Annapurna range at heights of up to
4,000 meters. The trips are on
well-traveled routes. No
“mountain climbing” is involved and no special skills are needed.
At no stage is anything undertaken that
can be considered dangerous or risky.
The Group is accompanied by the course coordinator and an associate of
the Program, as well as by a leader employed by reputable trekking company who
is familiar with the geology, physical geography and life in the region.
The trek leader will also act as a translator and interpreter.
Most of the ground traveling of the Group will be in a specially hired
bus. The trekking company is a
private agency in Kathmandu, especially licensed by the government; it also
arranges all the meals, overnight stays in tents and transportation of all the
baggage during trekking.
All HFSP
participants are expected to act in a manner that does not, in any way, hamper
the harmonious functioning of the Program or interfere in the life and pursuits
of anyone else in the Group. Specially,
the following Code of Ethics shall be adhered to:
It should be noted
that in the past all Groups have worked harmoniously and with great enthusiasm,
a sense of cooperation and good will.
In summer months, most of southern and central Nepal gets quite hot, and in some places extremely hot. So bring light clothing for the hot days. However, the Himalayas have a very different climate from the lowlands. At the height of 3,000 m (about 10,000 ft.) or more it is never very hot. In fact in the evening it gets quite chilly. June to August is the rainy season, when there can be heavy rains for many hours. The program ends before the rainy season (monsoon) starts, but during the month of May occasional pre-monsoon rains are quite common. So, having a raingear can be very helpful. Since we trek up to the height of 4,000 meters, it can be very cold at night, possibly with temperatures of 5 degrees Celsius. So be prepared. In view of all these weather conditions, in addition to usual personal clothing your travel clothing should include a sweater or pullover, shorts, long skirt/dresses (for women), a light jacket and a warmer jacket (ski jacket), swimwear, walking/hiking shoes, a bush hat or baseball hat, a boy-scout whistle, a mask against dust, and some semi-formal clothing for special occasions. As far as possible, clothes should be washable drip-dry. For emergency washing, a bar of soap would be useful. Take along fairly tough clothes. Dress well and modestly. In general, women participants should avoid too much revealing clothing. During trekking, shorts and sleeveless shirts are generally acceptable. In towns, women are advised to keep their upper arms, chest and back covered at all time. By paying close attention to local standards of dress, many problems can be minimized. When invited for dinner or tea, participants are advised not to be dressed too casually, or in a disheveled manner. Please always take your shoes off before entering any temple, Stupa, monastery and private home unless instructed otherwise.
Items to bring for the trip (few suggestions)
Tents, sleeping bags, mats for sleeping on, spoons, forks
and other utensils will all be provided while camping during trekking and
rafting. Other personal items to
bring: towels; soap; wash cloths; toothbrush and toothpaste; toilet paper and/or
tissue; shaving set; items of feminine hygiene for women; insect repellent; sun
blocks; water bottle with water purification apparatus or medications;
flashlight with extra batteries; plastic sandwich boxes of the Tupperware
variety; Ziploc bags; first aid kit; altimeter, compass, binoculars (all
optional); large plastic bag for protecting camera, clothing, and other
valuables; and snow goggles/sunglasses. During
trekking all baggage will be carried by porters; all meals will be cooked by
cooks; guidance will be rendered by the Guides; and tents are pitched at
campsites by the camping crew. If
you don’t wish to share a tent provided by the organizer, you would need to
pack your own tent which should be able to withstand fairly cold weather and
windy conditions. When trekking,
you carry only those items that you may need for 5-6 hours of trekking (e.g.,
camera, film rolls, toilet paper, journal, reading material, water and special
food items, first aid kit, etc.) – this all should not weigh more than 6 – 8
lbs. ( 3-4 kg). When not trekking,
we will have our chartered bus. Again,
you will not be carrying baggage yourself.
In view of the above, a backpack
would be most convenient (consider the type that has zip-away or hideaway
straps). A small bag for your
passport, air ticket, cash, traveler's cheques and other valuables, with
plastic bags to keep them dry and organized, is strongly advised.
Before you leave, reinforce your backpack to prevent having to do repairs
on the road. Treat it with
waterproofing material such as Scotch guard for water repellency.
Bring along a repair kit containing safety pins, a sewing kit, and rope
or string for emergencies or use as a clothesline.
It is also a good idea to bring along few large garbage bags.
You can easily slip your pack into one of the garbage bags, protecting it
from moisture. Overall, if you
think in terms of what one would take on a one or two week camping trip to
Jasper National Park in Alberta or Algonquin Park in Ontario, you are probably
on the right track.
1.
Shots:
To travel in Nepal or any other tropical country, you need certain vaccinations.
Travel clinics
(Phone: 877
267 8747) can advise you as to which vaccinations are recommended
and at what intervals before travel they should be taken.
2.
Meningococcal
meningitis: This shot
requires one injection about 4/6 weeks before departure.
3.
Typhoid
fever:
Two injections are required about 4 weeks apart.
If you are in a hurry they can be taken as soon as 2 weeks apart, but
this is not recommended.
4.
Hepatitis
A: One injection shortly before traveling.
5.
Malaria:
Malaria tablets could be obtained by prescription.
They are essential. Instructions
for use are provided with the tablets. (Other
precautions, such as use of mosquito netting or insect repellent are also
advisable.) However, the Himalayan
region we will be traveling in is a relatively low-risk area for malaria.
6.
Avoiding
dirty needles:
A kit of sterile needles and other medical supplies designed to minimize
risk of infection for travelers in Third World countries would be helpful.
Each participant is also advised to have the following information
available: blood type, any health
problems, any allergies or reactions to any drugs, name of your family doctor in
Canada, medical insurance number, etc.
7.
First
aid kit:
A basic first aid kit should include:
Band-aids, gauze pads, cotton bandage, sterile dressing, adhesive tape,
antiseptic and burn creams, a low reading thermometer, scissors and tweezers.
8.
Medical
kit:
You may never need it, but you are advised to take along medication for
headaches, a general course of antibiotics, a solution to cure severe gastro
problems, moleskins (for blisters), UV and block out (sunburn) cream, lip seal
and heat rub for aching limbs. (Refer to: Medicine for Mountaineering,
ed. James Wilkerson. Publisher: Mountaineers, Washington, DC.)
9.
Sickness
prevention: While trekking,
it is very important that certain precautions be taken at all times.
These are:
a.
DON’T
DRINK WATER from the
streams, however “clear” the water may appear.
You must use your water purifier all the time, without fail.
Bottled water is generally available along the trekking routes but one
back-up plan to access pure water is strongly recommended.
b.
WASH
YOUR HANDS thoroughly before
each meal, and wash you body every day to counter prickly heat or skin infection
(during treks, bathing might not be possible).
c.
DON'T
PUT YOUR FOOD (bread,
cookies, etc.) on any surface before eating.
Some general notes
on health when traveling in Nepal: