About the training Our SERVIR-HKH initiative has been collaborating with Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD) on institutional capacity building on Earth observation applications for forest carbon tracking. We are organising a follow-up training for seven participants, who attended the training on synthetic aperture radar data for forest carbon measurement and monitoring, on 8–12 August 2022 at the ICIMOD headquarters in Kathmandu, Nepal. The training will cover a review of the earlier training, an update on the progress and challenges of three projects assigned in the earlier training and the way forward, understanding of field data and above-ground biomass (AGB) estimation, time series analysis, and examination of multiple parameters to improve AGB estimation and carbon mapping. After the five-day training, two selected participants will continue an on-the-job training with subject matter experts at ICIMOD for three weeks (15 August–2 September 2022) to further enhance their ability to work independently on mapping forest carbon stock and national land cover. Objectives The training aims to provide participants with in-depth practical knowledge on estimating AGB and forest carbon using Earth observation data. Expected outcomes Enhanced knowledge and skills on models for AGB and forest carbon estimation Map of forest carbon stock for the Sundarbans Validation of the 2019 national land cover map of Bangladesh Expected participants The course will bring the seven participants who participated in the earlier training on synthetic aperture radar data for forest carbon measurement and monitoring held at the BFD campus in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Background Forest biomass estimation is essential for assessing carbon sequestration and carbon balance in forest ecosystems. Therefore, accurate forest biomass estimation is crucial for studying the carbon cycle of terrestrial ecosystems over large areas. Usually, forest biomass is estimated and monitored by conventional field measurements or remote-sensing methods. Biomass calculations based on actual field measurements for a small forest stand are considered accurate. However, field-based measurements for computing forest biomass at the national scale are not feasible, as they are costly, labour intensive, and time consuming. Remote sensing-based methods, particularly the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) microwave imaging system with cloud-penetrating and all-day data acquisition capabilities, provide viable alternatives to effectively measure and monitor forest biomass and forest carbon on a national scale. Further, there are opportunities to integrate optical and SAR data, which help in improving forest biomass estimation. Resource persons Rajesh Bahadur Thapa Senior Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Specialist/Theme Leader/Science and Data Lead – SERVIR-HKH, ICIMOD Kabir Uddin GIS and Remote Sensing Specialist/Group Lead, ICIMOD Sajana Maharjan Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Analyst, ICIMOD Venue and logistics The training will be held at ICIMOD headquarters in Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal. ICIMOD will cover the costs and logistics of the training. Tentative agenda DAY 1 – MONDAY, 8 AUGUST 2022 Time Topic 09:15–09:30 Registration 09:30–09:45 Opening session – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Welcome remarks – Birendra Bajracharya, Chief of Party–SERVIR-HKH, ICIMOD Introduction of participants – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD 09:45–10:15 Group photo followed by tea break 10:15–12:30 Training pre-assessment – Poonam Tripathi, ICIMOD Review of previous training – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa and Sajana Maharjan, ICIMOD 12:30–13:30 Lunch break 13:30–15:00 Introduction to land cover data and carbon stock calculations – Kabir Uddin, ICIMOD 15:00–15:30 Group presentations – Participants present on progress and challenges during their assigned group work at the earlier training 15:30–16:00 Tea break 16:00–16:55 Presentation continued DAY 2 – TUESDAY, 9 AUGUST 2022 Time Topic 09:15–12:30 Morning session Reflections on the previous day (30 min) – Sajana Maharjan, ICIMOD Understanding field plot design and biomass measurement – Md Tauhidor Rahaman, BFD 10:15–10:45 Tea break 10:45–12:30 Field data review and biomass calculation using field measurement – Md Tauhidor Rahaman, BFD, and Sajana Maharjan, ICIMOD 12:30–13:30 Lunch break 13:30–16:55 Afternoon session 14:00–15:15 AGB prediction with SAR data – Sajana Maharjan, ICIMOD 15:15–15:45 Tea break 15:45–16:55 AGB prediction with SAR data – session continued DAY 3 – WEDNESDAY, 10 AUGUST 2022 Time Topic 09:15–12:30 Morning session 09:15–10:15 Reflections on the previous day (30 min) – Sajana Maharjan, ICIMOD Improving AGB estimation with time series analysis – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa and Sajana Maharjan, ICIMOD 10:15–10:45 Tea break 10:45–12:30 Hands-on exercises – session continued 12:30–13:30 Lunch break 13:30–16:55 Visit to the ICIMOD Knowledge Park at Godavari DAY 4 – THURSDAY, 11 AUGUST 2022 Time Topic 09:15–12:30 Morning session 09:15–10:15 Examining multiple parameters for improving AGB estimation – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa and Sajana Maharjan, ICIMOD 10:15–10:45 Tea break 10:45–12:30 Hands-on exercises – session continued 12:30–13:30 Lunch break 13:30–16:55 Afternoon session 13:30–15:15 Hands-on exercises – session continued 15:15–15:45 Tea break 15:45–16:55 Hands-on exercises – session continued DAY 5 – FRIDAY, 12 AUGUST 2022 Time Topic 09:15–12:30 Morning session 09:15–10:15 Hands-on exercises –Sajana Maharjan, ICIMOD Forest carbon mapping 10:15–10:45 Tea break 10:45–12:00 Way forward – Kabir Uddin and Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD 12:00–12:30 Closing session Reflection from participants Remarks – Birendra Bajracharya, ICIMOD Remarks – Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, ICIMOD On-the-job training (15 August–2 September 2022) Two participants from the training will continue from 15 August till 2 September 2022 for on-the-job training and will be involved in measurement of forest carbon stock in Bangladesh and development of Bangladesh’s national land cover map.