We invite our partners and alumni to the virtual launch of our book – Earth Observation Science and Applications for Risk Reduction and Enhanced Resilience in Hindu Kush Himalaya Region: A Decade of Experience from SERVIR. Co-published jointly with Springer, this open-access book is a consolidation of lessons learnt and experiences gathered from our efforts to utilize Earth observation (EO) science and applications to address environmental challenges in the HKH region. It includes a complete package of knowledge on service life cycles including multi-disciplinary topics and practically tested applications for the HKH. The book comprises 19 chapters drawing from a decade’s worth of experience gleaned over the course of our implementation of SERVIR-HKH – a joint initiative of NASA, USAID, and ICIMOD – to build capacity on using EO and geospatial technology for effective decision making in the region. The editors – our colleagues Birendra Bajracharya, Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, and Mir A. Matin – worked closely with 68 contributing authors and 44 reviewers to chronicle SERVIR’s experiences in developing data-driven solutions to aid informed decision making regarding environmental challenges in the HKH region. We hope that the EO and geospatial communities in the region and beyond will gain useful insights and benefit from our experience with focused and targeted interventions and user-centred approaches to develop impactful solutions. Our book will serve as a good reference document for professionals and practitioners working in remote sensing, geographic information systems, regional and spatial sciences, climate change, ecosystems, and environmental analysis. Furthermore, we are hopeful that policy makers, academics, and other informed audiences working in sustainable development and evaluation – both within the SERVIR network and beyond – will greatly benefit from what we have shared here on our applications, case studies, and documentation across cross-cutting topics. Moderator/Speakers Moderator Rajesh Bahadur Thapa Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Specialist, ICIMOD Speakers Basanta R. Shrestha Director of Strategic Cooperation, ICIMOD Birendra Bajracharya Chief of Party, SERVIR-HKH Initiative, ICIMOD Daniel E. Irwin SERVIR Global Program Manager, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Mir A. Matin Theme Leader, Geospatial Solutions, ICIMOD Pema Gyamtsho Director General, ICIMOD Pete Epanchin Senior Climate Adaptation and Resilience Advisor, USAID/Washington Agenda 25 August 2021 Moderator: Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Specialist, ICIMOD Time Activity Speaker/facilitator 16:30–16:35 Introduction Rajesh Bahadur Thapa, Remote Sensing and Geoinformation Specialist, ICIMOD 16:35–16:45 Key highlights and messages from the book Birendra Bajracharya, Chief of Party, SERVIR-HKH Initiative, ICIMOD 16:45–16:55 Keynote address: SERVIR – connecting space to village Daniel E. Irwin, SERVIR Global Program Manager, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center 16:55–17:00 Remarks Basanta R. Shrestha, Director of Strategic Cooperation, ICIMOD 17:00–17:05 Remarks Pete Epanchin, Senior Climate Adaptation and Resilience Advisor, USAID/Washington 17:05–17:10 Virtual book launch Pema Gyamtsho, Director General, ICIMOD 17:10–17:15 Remarks Pema Gyamtsho, Director General, ICIMOD 17:15–17:30 Vote of thanks Mir A. Matin, Theme Leader, Geospatial Solutions, ICIMOD Earth observation science and applications for risk reduction and enhanced resilience in Hindu Kush Himalaya region: A decade of experience from SERVIR This open access book is a consolidation of lessons learnt and experiences gathered from our efforts to utilise Earth observation (EO) science and applications to address environmental challenges in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region. Read more Download