Abstract
An engineering and environmental geological map of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal has been elaborated within a project of German-Nepalese cooperation. In the Kathmandu Valley, the major geo-environmental problems arise from haphazard exploitation of geologic resources, local landslide zones, severe problems of garbage disposal, river flooding and a dramatic river pollution. The map was prepared by the use of GIS techniques. It contains all basic geological and environmental data, as geotechnical risk zones (landslide-prone areas or those of poor foundation conditions), areas for preferable extraction of construction material and those not to be allowed to be exploited, areas of immediate need of reforestation in order to prevent landslide or badland development, groundwater protection zones, and suitable garbage disposal sites.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bajracharya S.R. and Verma V.K., 1989: Morphometric analysis of the Kathmandu Valley. Journal of Nepal Geological Society 6: 11-20.
Dongol G.M.S. 1985: Geology of Kathmandu fluviatile lacustrine sediments in the light of new vertebrate fossil occurrences. Journal of Nepal Geological Society 2: 47-51.
Duvadi A.K., Nepali D., Singh S., Singh V.K., Piya B. and Manandhar S.P., 1998: Environmental geological map of Kathmandu, 1:50,000. Unpubl. map, Dept. of Mines and Geology, Kathmandu.
Gautam R. and Rao G.K., 1991: Groundwater resources evaluation of the Kathmandu Valley. Journal of Nepal Geological Society 7: 39-48.
Hanisch L., Langer M., Shresta O.M., Koirala A., Kerntke M. & Jäger S., 1997: The geo-environmental map for the development of the Kathmandu Valley (Nepal). In: Marinos P.G., Koukis G.C, Tsiambaos G.C. and Stournaras G.C. (eds), Engineering Geology and the Environment. Balkema, Rotterdam, pp. 1253-1256.
HMG/DHM, 1996: Water quality data of rivers of Kathmandu Valley 1992–1995. Unpubl. Report, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Kathmandu.
HMG/UNDP/HABITAT, 1993: Seismic hazard mapping and risk assessment for Nepal (Liquefaction susceptibility map of the Kathmandu Valley). Kathmandu.
Kharel B.D., Singh V.K., Aust H. and Jäger S., 1998: Potential areas for waste disposal, Kathmandu Valley. Unpubl. Report and map, HMG/Dept. of Mines and Geology, Kathmandu.
Koirala A., Shrestha O.M. and Karmacharya R., 1994: Engineering geology of southern part of the Kathmandu valley. Bull. Dept. Geology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, pp. 3, 57-64.
Sharma C.K., 1981: Geotectonics of the Kathmandu Block. Journal of Nepal Geological Society 1: 44-49.
Stöcklin J. and Bhattarai K.D., 1978: Geology of central Kathmandu and central Mahabharat Range, Nepal. HMG/UNDP/ MEDP project report, Kathmandu.
Yoshida M. and Igarashi Y., 1984: Neogene to Quaternary lacustrine sediments in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Journal of Nepal Geological Society 4: 73-100.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shrestha, O.M., Koirala, A., Hanisch, J. et al. A geo-environmental map for the sustainable development of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. GeoJournal 49, 165–172 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007076813975
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007076813975