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An Open Data and Citizen Science Approach to Building Resilience to Natural Hazards in a Data-Scarce Remote Mountainous Part of Nepal

Author

Listed:
  • Binod Prasad Parajuli

    (Climate and Resilience, Practical Action Consulting South Asia, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal)

  • Prakash Khadka

    (Risk and Resilience, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria)

  • Preshika Baskota

    (Climate and Resilience, Practical Action Consulting South Asia, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal)

  • Puja Shakya

    (Climate and Resilience, Practical Action Consulting South Asia, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal)

  • Wei Liu

    (Risk and Resilience, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, A-2361 Laxenburg, Austria)

  • Uttam Pudasaini

    (Geomatics, Naxa Private Limited, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal)

  • Roniksh B.C.

    (Geomatics, Naxa Private Limited, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
    Department of Environmental Science, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu 44605, Nepal)

  • Jonathan D. Paul

    (Department of Earth Sciences, School of Life Sciences and the Environment, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK)

  • Wouter Buytaert

    (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK)

  • Sumit Vij

    (Public Administration and Policy Group, Wageningen University & Research, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands
    Earth & Climate Cluster, Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Earth & Life Sciences, Vrije University Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

Abstract

The citizen science approach has gained momentum in recent years. It can enable both experts and citizen scientists to co-create new knowledge. Better understanding of local environmental, social, and geographical contexts can help in designing appropriate plans for sustainable development. However, a lack of geospatial data, especially in the context of developing countries, often precludes context-specific development planning. This study therefore tests an innovative approach of volunteer citizen science and an open mapping platform to build resilience to natural hazards in the remote mountainous parts of western Nepal. In this study, citizen scientists and mapping experts jointly mapped two districts of Nepal (Bajhang and Bajura) using the OpenStreetMap (OSM) platform. Remote mapping based on satellite imagery, capacity building, and mobilization of citizen scientists was performed to collect the data. These data were then uploaded to OSM and later retrieved in ArcGIS to produce a usable map that could be exploited as a reference resource for evidence-based decision-making. The collected data are freely accessible to community members as well as government and humanitarian actors, and can be used for development planning and risk reduction. By piloting in two communities of western Nepal, we found that using open data platforms for collecting and analyzing location-based data has a mutual benefit for researchers and communities. Such data could be vital in understanding the local landscape, environmental risk, and distribution of resources. Furthermore, they enable both researchers and local people to transfer technical knowledge, collect location-specific data, and use them for better decision-making.

Suggested Citation

  • Binod Prasad Parajuli & Prakash Khadka & Preshika Baskota & Puja Shakya & Wei Liu & Uttam Pudasaini & Roniksh B.C. & Jonathan D. Paul & Wouter Buytaert & Sumit Vij, 2020. "An Open Data and Citizen Science Approach to Building Resilience to Natural Hazards in a Data-Scarce Remote Mountainous Part of Nepal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9448-:d:444513
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rossi, Federica & Rosli, Ainurul & Yip, Nick, 2017. "Academic engagement as knowledge co-production and implications for impact: Evidence from Knowledge Transfer Partnerships," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 1-9.
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    3. Gorddard, Russell & Colloff, Matthew J. & Wise, Russell M. & Ware, Dan & Dunlop, Michael, 2016. "Values, rules and knowledge: Adaptation as change in the decision context," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 60-69.
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    1. Antonello Cammarano & Vincenzo Varriale & Francesca Michelino & Mauro Caputo, 2022. "Open and Crowd-Based Platforms: Impact on Organizational and Market Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-26, February.

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