“Sharing of Soil Bioengineering Experiences Seminar”

Held in Kathmandu, Nepal, Hotel Himalaya (Rato Baithak)

February 25, 2009

Organized by Mr. Kalyan Thapa, Terra Erosion Control Ltd’s Asia representative, the seminar was aimed at sharing experiences between Nepalese practices, environmental policies and Western Canadian applications. Attendees included various sectors of Nepalese governmental agencies, consultants and foreign organizations.

The session included the following subjects and speakers:

• “Environmental Considerations in Infrastructure Development Projects in Nepal: Legal Requirements and Practices” by Ramesh Prasad Sapkota, Environmental Specialist and Naba Raj Neupane, Environmental Geologist from the Department of Environmental Science, Amrit Campus under Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Presenters: Mr. Ramesh Prasad Sapkota and Naba Raj Neupane

Field Visits

Dharan-Dhankute-Hile Highway Project:

As part of the research on Nepali soil bio-engineering applications, President of Terra Erosion Control Ltd, Pierre Raymond, along with Asian representative, Kalyan Thapa, visited two major projects carried out by the Department of Roads. The Dharan-Dhankute-Hile (63Km) Road starts in the foot hills of the Churia hills, the first hill range in front of the plain of Nepal (Southern parts bordering India). As a result of the August 1988 earthquake, several landslides damaged and ruptured road sections of the highway. Under British funding, various sections of the road were rebuilt and landslides were stabilized over eight years (1986 to 1994). A combination of civil and soil bio-engineering techniques such as rock gabion retaining walls, wire bolsters, brush layers, coir matting, grass slip planting and seeding and planting of nursery grown seedlings were experimented with to arrest erosion and landslides.

Krishnabhir Landslide Rehabilitation:

The other site visit was the Krishnabhir landslide rehabilitation located 83Kms west of the capital city of Kathmandu on the Prithivi Highway. The landslide occurred on August 11, 2000 and ruptured a section of the highway moving large amounts of debris over the existing road and down to the river. Between 2001 and 2003 the landslide debris was stabilized by mitigating water flow using a combination of civil and bio-engineering techniques. Check dams and rock armoured channels were constructed within the main gullies.  Culverts, inclined at 15 degrees, were installed underneath the reconstructed highway over the drained and remaining debris. A retaining wall was constructed at the toe of the slide adjacent to the river. Various structures such as wire bolsters, rofa boards (German technology), wire mesh, mulch, seeding and seedlings were also used.  Site maintenance including vegetation and civil engineering structures were also discussed during the site visit. 

Mugling-Marayanghat Road:

Road embankment protection using soil bio-engineering measures.

Bamboo Farm Visit:

As part of the research on potential live material utilization for vegetated riprap applications, a visit was made to Mr. K B Gurung's bamboo farm at Damauli, in the mid western region of Nepal. Mr. Gurung has grown and utilitized bamboo species for various applications over the last 20 years. Two potential species were selected for lower and upper portions of the riprap structure. Large scale propagation methods were also discussed.