Environment and Society Himalayan Study Abroad Program: Summer 2009
Program Organizers
Collaborating Partners
Department of Economics, University of New Mexico
Nepal Study Center, University of New Mexico
Kathmandu University, Nepal
Department of Anthropology, UNM
Summer 2009 faculty participants
Jennifer Thacher, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, jthacher@unm.edu
Alok K. Bohara, professor, Department of Economics, Bohara@unm.edu
and Others
Courses at UNM
Course requirements
• Economics 203/Community and Regional Planning 203 (Spring 2009: January 15- May 15)
• 2-week field Study in Nepal (May 17-June3)
Even though the primary course for this program is Economics 203 (Environment and Society), which is cross-listed as Community and Regional Planning 203, this program is open to students from other classes and disciplines who are interested in an interdisciplinary educational experience. Economics 203 has no pre-requisites. Limited seats could be made available for graduate students. Economics 203 will be offered in Spring 2009.
Space for the Nepal trip is limited, and although enrollment in Economics 203 is not required, preference will be given to students who are enrolled in the course.
Course content
Students will learn a basic understanding of environmental and natural resource issues and their impact on the society and the culture. These issues are addressed in the classroom lectures by comparing two river systems under two different geographic landscapes and cultural settings: the Rio Grande in New Mexico and the Bagmati River in Nepal. The program culminates in a field experience in Nepal to learn about the Bagmati River in Kathmandu valley.
This course will entail the classroom discussion surrounding the two river systems and their respective roles in the two communities. Numerous field trips in New Mexico bring issues surrounding the Rio Grande to life. Guest lectures and tours focus on pollution, biology, economics, health, and the cultural significance of the two rivers.
Independent Study Option
Upon return from Kathmandu , interested students will have an option to work out a plan with their professors to earn a 3-credit independent study on topics of their interest and field experience. Students choosing this option are strongly advised to make a prior-arrangement with their professors before leaving for Kathmandu .
Two-week Field Trip
in Kathmandu
Environment and Society’s program features environmental and cultural classes, guest lectures, visits to the origin and the exit points of the Bagmati River in the valley, cultural and religious sites in Kathmandu, and nature hikes.
Students will also help build an eco-friendly project possibly at a learning center on a hill in Dhulikhel, a historical town in a valley about 30 KM east of Kathmandu. There could be other alternate ideas and sites based on the interest and the availability of resources. Some possible innovative ideas are: cloud harvesting/fog catching, Bagmati ecosystem monitoring project, rain water catchment, solar and wind power, drinking water.
The two-week program in Kathmandu will provide students with the following experiences about the Bagamati river basin through guest lectures, field visits, community projects, and nature hikes:
• Environment and conservation
• Arts, culture, myths, and legends
• Sustainable development (e.g., micro credit program)
• Environment and health (e.g., ecosystem monitoring, water quality testing, water borne illness)
• Sustainable technologies to promote environmental conservation (e.g., briquet making from recycled materials; smokeless stove;compost toilet; rain, solar, wind, and cloud harvesting)
• Community participation and grass-roots organizations
Students are encouraged to observe, compare, and contrast the economics, culture, and biology of two rivers – the Rio Grande and Bagmati. Students are encouraged to keep a journal of everyday events .
Aerial View of the Bagmati River
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Bagmati's Journey
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Application Process, Eligibility and Language Requirement
Language Requirement
No Knowledge of Nepali required.
Eligibility
Eligible participants should be full-time students enrolled at a NM college or university, preferably enrolled in the course: Econ 203 –Environment and Society. Others are encouraged to contact professors Jennifer Thacher <jthacher@unm.edu> or Alok K. Bohara < bohara@unm.edu>
Application Process and Deadlines
Application deadline March 3, 2009
Initial deposit of $1000 due March 3, 2009
Balance due by April 3, 2009
Fees and Travel Scholarships
Cost
$1,000-1,500 per student
Included in the fee: Room and board in Kathmandu (room, breakfast, and lunch), local transportation, field trips, nature hiking, guest lectures from Kathmandu University
Not Included in the fee : Tuition, airfare, passport fee, dinners, mandatory travel insurance ($36), personal expenses, and the outside of the field trip excursions (e.g., trekking destinations, safari trips, and camping). Travel Grant Opportunities
Regents International Study Grants
Deadline: October 15th for spring semester programs March 1st for spring break, summer and fall programs
International Studies Institute Scholarships
Deadline: First week of March
Useful Reading Materials and Links |
A. Ecosystem of Bagmati River Basin
SundariJal:Origin of the River Bagmati and water reservoir
Shivapuri Preserve (Northern Rim): Shivapuri Village; National Parks
Chobhar (gorge, temples): Jal Binayak Temple;
Budhhist Monastery; GaneshTemple;
Manjushree Cave and the legend of Kathmandu Valley
Taudaha Lake: Wetland/bird watching; The World Wetlands Day Celebration 2006 & 2nd Taudaha Jamboree
B. Life and Culture along the Bagmati River
1. Life and Death in Pashupatinath: Elders Find a Home on the Banks of Kathmandu’s Bagmati By Dave Baldridge,
Executive Director, American Association for International Aging. A 59-year-old Cherokee, Dave Baldridge hopes “to give back something to the Nepali elders who changed my world view of aging in poverty.” A long-time board member of the American Society on Aging, Baldridge , executive director of the American Association for International Aging, also consults for the CDC’s Native Diabetes Wellness Program in Albuquerque, NM.
2. Kathmandu University Department of Music
3. Bagmati civilization:
Kathmandu Durbar Square; Patan Durbar Square; Bhaktapur Durbar Square; Kirtipur Durbar Square
C. Science and Management of Bagmati River Basin
1. Evolution of Chemistry along the Bagmati Drainage Network in Kathmandu Valley
2. Bargamti from SundariJal to Chobhar and beyond: Do Rivers self-purify?
3. Environmental management of the Bagmati River Basin
4. Spatial–temporal variation and comparative assessment of water qualities of urban river system: a case study of the river Bagmati (Nepal)
5. Municipal solid waste management in Nepal: practices and challenges
D. Public Health and Environment
1. Environment and Public Health Otrganization (water quality, community effort, and poublic health)
2. Nick Simons Institute (health workers)
E. Economic Development for Cultural and Environmental Sustainability
1. Social Profit Network: Kathmanu 2020 campaign
2. People to People Micro Finance (Kiva affiliated Project in Kathmandu valley)
E. Organizational Efforts
1. Friends of Bagmati
2. Environment Camps for Conservation Awareness (ECCA)
3. Environment and Public Health Organization
4. Kathmandu Participatory River Monitoring
5. The Bagmati Civilization Integrated Development Committee (Formed January, 2008)
6. NGO Forum for Urban Water and Sanitation
7. Kathmandu University Dpartment of Music
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