The SERVIR-Hindu Kush Himalaya (SERVIR-HKH) Initiative works to enhance the ability of national governments, local institutions and partners, and other key stakeholders to apply Earth observation and geospatial technologies and analysis on key thematic areas. A joint development initiative of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), SERVIR’s efforts are directed towards making countries better able to achieve self-reliance with more resilient outcomes by integrating the best available information in development decision-making processes. SERVIR-HKH has specific priorities supported by USAID-Afghanistan to support the Government of Afghanistan’s efforts in capacity development, data accessibility and availability, and enhancing provision of user-tailored data and tools for decision making in a sustainable manner. In partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), SERVIR-HKH has been working on a number of applications related to agriculture, water resources, and natural resource management. About the workshop This two-day dissemination workshop will present finalized systems – the National Land Cover Monitoring System (NLCMS), the Rangeland Monitoring System, and the Watershed Characterization System – to key partners and stakeholders. National Land Cover Monitoring System Assessment of land cover and understanding of its dynamics can support sustainable natural resources management, environmental protection, and food security. In Afghanistan, national-level land cover mapping was carried out during 1972, 1993, and 2010 using satellite data from different sensors and used different legends. To address needs of consistent land cover data for monitoring and change analysis using a harmonized classification scheme, ICIMOD together with MAIL and the National Statistic and Information Authority (NSIA) co-developed the National Land Cover Monitoring System (NLCMS) for Afghanistan. The system is customized from the Regional Land Cover Monitoring System (RLCMS), which is a collaborative effort between SERVIR-HKH at ICIMOD and SERVIR-Mekong at the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), with the United States Forest Services (USFS) and SilvaCarbon as co-development partners. The RLCMS uses state-of-the-art remote-sensing science and technology hosted on a cloud-based architecture such as the Google Earth Engine, and a standard set of input data sources to generate high-quality land cover maps regularly at the regional and national levels. The first version of annual land cover maps from 2000 to 2019 for Afghanistan will be presented during the workshop. The adopted methodology used for the classification and validation processes will also be presented. Rangeland Monitoring System The dynamics of rangelands need to be understood for sustainable management of complex pastoral systems. Institutions and professionals responsible for managing rangelands in the region need tools that produce timely and consistent information to design grazing strategies and management plans. Properly managed rangelands can enhance food security and alleviate poverty in pastoral communities of Afghanistan. Combining information from satellite sensors and geospatial methods offers an optimal path for developing a practical system for cost-effective rangeland assessments and monitoring. The Rangeland Monitoring System has been developed using satellite remote-sensing data to classify rangeland areas, assess rangelands productivity and seasonality across ecological zones, and evaluate rangelands degradation based on 20-year historical data. Watershed Characterization System To properly manage water resources and natural resources, understanding physical and environmental condition of watersheds is critical. It is an important agricultural and water management process. The primary goals of a watershed characterization system is to provide topographical, hydrological, geological, climatic, land cover, population, and soil-related spatial and statistical information for basins and macro-level watersheds. The system provides data and tools for statistical information and interactive geospatial visualizations such as river flows, drainage densities, climate situations, and agriculture production, which will support natural resource management and related monitoring activities. Objectives Provide an orientation on the use of the web-based information systems Present the methodology for the NLCMS and present the annual land cover maps of Afghanistan (2000–2018) for stakeholder review Demonstrate the web-based NLCMS and its data visualization capabilities Present the Rangeland Monitoring System and the Watershed Characterization System and associated study results in Afghanistan Identify areas for additional support and means for continuity of rangeland and watershed characterization activities in Afghanistan Expected Outcomes The workshop is expected to bring together representatives from key partner institutions working in the area of natural resources, land cover, and related fields. The workshop will include presentations on the methodologies, data, and orientation of the applications. Contributions and feedback from the participants will be useful for planning future enhancement of the systems and strengthening partnerships. Pre-launch of the annual land cover maps of Afghanistan (2000–2018) for stakeholder review 19 OCTOBER 2020 | MAIL, NRM Directorate, Kabul, Afghanistan Objectives • Present the methodology for the NLCMS and present the annual land cover maps of Afghanistan (2000–2018) for stakeholder review • Demonstrate the web-based NLCMS and its data visualization capabilities Agenda All time stamps are in Afghanistan Time (AFT) DAY 1 – MONDAY, 19 OCTOBER 2020 Time Topic 08:30–08:45 Reception/registration 08:45–08:50 Recitation of the Holy Quran – Qari Sahib 08:50–09:00 Introduction of participants 09:00–09:20 Welcome remarks – Eklabya Sharma, Deputy Director General ICIMOD Opening remarks – Ghulam Rasul, Regional Programme Manager, MENRIS, ICIMOD Opening remarks – Birendra Bajracharya, Chief of Party, SERVIR-HKH, ICIMOD Welcome and opening remarks – M Rafi Qazizada, General Director, NRM Directorate 09:20–09:25 Introduction to the workshop and workshop objectives – Mir Matin, Theme Leader, Geospatial Solutions, ICIMOD 09:25–10:00 Presentation of the NLCMS approach, methodology, and results – Mir Matin, Theme Leader, Geospatial Solutions, ICIMOD 10:00–10:30 Demonstration of the NLCMS – Kabir Uddin, RS and Geospatial Specialist, ICIMOD, and Sayed Burhan Atal, GIS Analyst, ICIMOD 10:30 –10:45 Tea break 10:45 –12:00 Discussion and feedback 12:00–12:15 Closing remarks – M Rafi Qazizada, MAIL/NRM Closing remarks – Representative from participants Closing remarks – Birendra Bajracharya, ICIMOD 12:15–13:00 Lunch Watershed characterization and rangeland monitoring systems in Afghanistan 20 October 2020 | MAIL/NRM Directorate, Kabul, Afghanistan Objectives • Present the Rangeland Monitoring System and the Watershed Characterization System and associated study results in Afghanistan • Identify areas for additional support and means for continuity of rangeland and watershed characterization activities in Afghanistan Agenda All time stamps are in Afghanistan Time (AFT) Time Topic 09:30–09:40 Welcome and opening remarks – Birendra Bajracharya, ICIMOD Opening remarks – M Rafi Qazizada, MAIL/NRM 09:40–10:00 Presentation on watershed characterization – Mohammad Sharif Jalalzai, GIS & RS Expert, ICIMOD, and Waheedullah Yousafi, Technical Coordinator, SERVIR-HKH Afghanistan, ICIMOD 10:00–10:30 Demonstration of the Watershed Characterization System – Kiran Shakya, Geospatial Application Development Specialist, ICIMOD, and Mohammad Sharif Jalalzai, ICIMOD 10:30–11:00 Open discussion on watershed characterization and Q&A 11:00–11:20 Tea break 11:20–11:40 Presentation on Rangeland Monitoring System – Faisal M Qamer, RS Specialist, ICIMOD 11:40–12:10 Demonstration of the Rangeland Monitoring System – Varun Tiwari, RS and Geospatial Analyst, ICIMOD, and Mohammad Sharif Jalalzai, ICIMOD 12:10–12:50 Open discussion on rangeland monitoring and Q&A 12:50–13:00 Closing remarks – M Rafi Qazizada, NRM Closing remarks – Waheedullah Yousafi, ICIMOD 13:00–13:30 Lunch Resources Presentation of the NLCMS approach, methodology, and results – Mir Matin, Theme Leader, Geospatial Solutions, ICIMOD Presentation on watershed characterization – Mohammad Sharif Jalalzai, GIS & RS Expert, ICIMOD, and Waheedullah Yousafi, Technical Coordinator, SERVIR-HKH Afghanistan, ICIMOD Presentation on Rangeland Monitoring System – Faisal M Qamer, RS Specialist, ICIMOD