Yurika Sherpa
Aug 25,2024
In the heart of Nepal, where the landscape is as challenging as it is beautiful, communities face the constant threat of landslides and floods. These natural hazards disrupt lives, destroy livelihoods, and test the resilience of those living in vulnerable regions. But what if these communities could be more than just victims of nature's fury? What if they could play an active role in safeguarding their future? This is the vision behind the VICTORY project, a collaborative effort by the Institute of Himalayan Risk Reduction (IHRR) and Smartphones4Water-Nepal (S4W-Nepal). With support from the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC), the VICTORY project is empowering local communities in Bhimeshwor and Barbardiya Municipalities to take control of their disaster preparedness through the power of citizen science.
Engaging the Community: A Ground-Up Approach
From April 15 to May 3, 2024, the VICTORY project team embarked on a mission to bring this vision to life. Over the course of these weeks, they traveled to the hills of Bhimeshwor Municipality, where rainfall-triggered landslides are a constant worry, and to the plains of Barbardiya Municipality, where floods have become an all-too-familiar threat. In each ward, the team gathered community members for sensitization meetings. These were not your typical top-down sessions where experts talk and the audience listens. Instead, they were interactive, hands-on gatherings where local knowledge was valued as much as scientific data.
In Bhimeshwor, 191 participants from 9 wards came together to map out the most landslide-prone areas in their communities. They worked alongside the project team to identify 50 strategic spots for rain gauge installations, which would help monitor rainfall patterns and provide early warnings of potential landslides. But the real heart of the project was the nomination of citizen scientists—local residents who would be trained to collect and report data during the monsoon season. These individuals, chosen by their own community, are now the front line in disaster risk reduction.
Meanwhile, in Barbardiya Municipality, 233 participants from 11 wards engaged in a similar process, this time focusing on flood risks. Together, they pinpointed 56 locations for rain gauges and 50 for bamboo staff installations to monitor river levels. The community's input was critical in ensuring that these monitoring tools were placed where they would be most effective. And just like in Bhimeshwor, citizen scientists were nominated to take on the responsibility of data collection, making them key players in their community's safety.
The Impact: From Awareness to Action
The VICTORY project is not just about installing rain gauges or nominating citizen scientists; it's about transforming the way communities approach disaster risk. Through these activities, local residents have become more than just observers—they've become active participants in safeguarding their own lives and properties. One of the most powerful outcomes of the project has been the sense of ownership it has instilled in these communities. Citizen scientists, equipped with simple tools and a mobile app, now have the ability to contribute vital data that can inform early warning systems and help prevent disasters before they strike. This grassroots approach is not only building resilience but also fostering a new kind of relationship between the community and the environment.
The VICTORY project is a testament to what can be achieved when communities are empowered to take charge of their own safety. Through citizen science, the people of Bhimeshwor and Barbardiya are no longer just at the mercy of landslides and floods—they are active participants in reducing their risks. As the project continues, it promises to inspire more communities across Nepal to take a stand against environmental hazards, not just as victims but as informed, resilient, and proactive citizens.
