CURRICULUM VITAE

OF

CHANDRA PRASAD GIRI

____________________________________________________________

1.Personal Data

1.Name: GIRI, Chandra, P.

2.Address: Chandra Prasad Giri

Program Specialist

UNEP Environment Assessment Programme for Asia and the Pacific

P.O. Box 4, Klongluang, Pathumthani 12120, Thailand.

Tel: (66-2) 524-6236,

Fax: (66-2) 524-5396,

E-mail: cpgiri@ait.ac.th

3.Date of Birth: 13 May, 1961

4.Nationality at Birth: Nepalese

5.Sex: Male

6.Marital Status: Married with two children

2.Education: (degree(s), major area of study, date completed, and name and location of the institute)

Ph. D., Remote Sensing, GIS, Conservation Areas Planning and Management. (1998), Space Technology Applications & Research, School of Environment Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

Dissertation Title:Formulation of Conservation Areas Planning and Management Strategies in Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal Using GIS Based Decision Support System

M. Sc., Remote Sensing, GIS and Natural Resources Management. (1993), Interdisciplinary Natural Resources Planning and Management, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

Thesis Topic: Mangrove Forest Cover Mapping in Phangnga Bay, Thailand; Using VIR and SAR Data in Conjunction with GIS.

B. Sc. (Forestry), Forest, Biodiversity and Remote Sensing. (1987), Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan University, Pokhara, Nepal.

Thesis Topic: Industrial Plantation in Eastern Development Region of Nepal.

B. Sc., Physics, Chemistry & Math. (1985), Mahendra Morang College, Tribhuvan University, Biratnagar, Nepal.

3.Summary of Professional Skills and/or Expertise

A. Field of Expertise: Remote Sensing and GIS Applications, Forest

and Biodiversity Conservation.

B. Trainings:

1998: Training on the “ERDAS Imagine 8.3.1”, 27-31 July , ESRI Thailand and UNEP Environment Assessment Programme for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand.

1997: Training on the use of "Internet for the State of the Environment Reporting" 23-31 August, Global Resources Information Database - Arendal, Norway.

1997: Training on "Forest Scenario Modelling for Ecosystem Management at Landscape Level", 26 June to 3 July, Wageningen, The Netherlands.

1996: Training on " Biodiversity Conservation for Sustainable Human Development", 12-24 May, Continuing Education Centre, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

1993: Training on NOAA AVHRR Workshop, 6-10 September, Remote Sensing Laboratory, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

1992: Training on "Human Resources Requirements for Natural Resources Information"22-28 August, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

1992: Training on ARC/INFO, 5-8 May, Remote Sensing Laboratory, AIT, Bangkok, Thailand.

1992: AUTOCAD training, level 1, 20-26 November, AUTOCAD Training Centre, Regional Computer Centre, AIT.

1991: Training on "Trainer's Training" 2-8 October, Jointly organized by FINNIDA and Training Wing, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Nepal.

C. Computer Skills:

1.Word Processing/Graphics: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Office, Word Perfect, Power Point, Freehand

2.Data Base: Excel, Stratograph

3.Remote Sensing: ERDAS Imagine, IDRISI

4.GIS: ARC/INFO, ARCVIEW, SPANS, GIST, IDRISI, AML Programming

5.Workstations: Sun Workstation, VAX 6510

6.WWW: HTML Programming

4.Summary of Relevant Work Experience:

July 1994 - Present : Program Specialist, UNEP Environment Assessment Programme for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand.

Nature of Job:

Proposal preparation, review, approval and implementation of various projects related to environment and natural resource conservation using RS and GIS;
Design and implement the need of state-of-the-art of remote sensing and GIS technology and formulate environmental strategies based on informed decision making;
Develop methodological guidelines for RS and GIS applications for various purposes;
Develop RS and GIS projects by involving sub-regional partners (ICIMOD, ASEAN, Mekong Secretariat, SACEP, SPREP) and member countries in the Asia and the Pacific region;
Undertake national/regional land cover assessment and monitoring of various countries in the Asian region using multi-sensor and multi-temporal satellite data in conjunction with GIS;
Undertake regional aggregation and analysis of land use/land cover status in the Asian region incorporating biophysical and socio-economic information;
Design and implement Global Resources Information Database (GRID) activities in GRID-Bangkok regarding forests and biodiversity;
Responsible in the design of methodological guidelines for the analysis of high resolution satellite data for localized detailed land use/land cover change monitoring;
Coordinate among government and sub-regional partners pertaining to data

acquisition, geographical database establishment and resource base analysis;

Conduct training sessions on the use of remote sensing and GIS for the use of natural resources conservation and environmental modeling. Provide technical support to the member countries as needed;
Produce project reports, proposals and scientific articles; and
Assist in getting funds for various RS and GIS-related projects from various multi-lateral and bi-lateral organizations including ADB, UNDP, CIDA, etc.

Major Accomplishments:

13. Land cover assessment and monitoring of 12 countries ( digital datasets and project reports) using NOAA AVHRR data;

14. Land use/land cover change analysis of South-East Asia (digital data and project reports) using Landsat and SPOT data;

15. Creation and maintenance of GRID (Global Resources Information Database) database including data distribution to the user community;

16. Remote sensing and GIS database preparation for Greater Mekong Subregion at the scale of 1:1M and 1:250,000;

17. Capacity building by providing hardware and software to member countries. Special agreement with ESRI and ERDAS Inc. for special price of their image processing and GIS software to UNEP and it’s partners. Trained more than 100 people in Remote Sensing and GIS. Preparation and methodological guidelines for RS and GIS applications; and

18. Project design and implementation together with UNHCR, UNESCO and UNDP in various countries in the region;

September, 1998 – Present: Associated Faculty. Space Technology Applications and Research program, School of Environment Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand

Nature of Job/Accomplishments:

Involve partly in teaching “Challenges in Space Technology, “Introduction to Remote Sensing”, and “Advanced GIS” courses for Masters and Doctoral students;
Supervise Masters (2) and Doctoral (1) students in their research work; and
Provide training in RS and GIS.

March 1994 - June 1994: Research Associate, UNEP Environment Assessment Programme for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand.

Nature of Job:

Undertake national/regional land cover assessment and monitoring at various countries in the Asian region using RS and GIS;
Responsible in the methodological design and the analysis of Remote sensing satellite data for localized detailed land use/land cover change monitoring;
Collect and analyze bio-physical and socio-economic data utilizing the capability of GIS for natural resource assessment and management in relation to above activities;
Design and implement Global Resources Information Database (GRID) activities in GRID-Bangkok;
Coordinate among government and sub-regional agencies pertaining to data acquisition, geographical database establishment and resource base analysis;
Conduct training sessions on the use of Remote Sensing and GIS for the use of forestry and biodiversity conservation;

Major Accomplishments:

Land cover assessment and monitoring of 4 countries (digital data and reports);
Trained about 50 professional coming from governments and universities of Asia and the Pacific;
Production of GIS database of Asia and the Pacific at the scale of 1:1M;
Published scientific papers in refereed journals;
Training materials prepared and distributed for RS and GIS applications; and
Network established with sub-regional and national partners.

August 1993 - February 1994: Research Associate, Remote Sensing Laboratory, INRDM Program, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand,.

Nature of Job:

Responsible for executing a project entitled "Tropical Mangrove Vegetation Mapping Using Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS Technology" using ERS-1, JERS-1, SPOT and MOSS satellite data; and
A member of a Research project called "Monitoring of Shrimp Ponds in Chantaburi, Thailand" Using RS (SPOT and Landsat) and GIS funded by FAO.

Duties and responsibilities:

Project proposal preparation, approval and management;
Independent research/analysis of Remote Sensing data ( both visual and digital image analysis) in conjunction with GIS;
Conduct field trips;
Write project reports; and
Assist in other regular jobs in the Remote Sensing Laboratory, which includes training of various courses such as Digital Image Analysis, Microwave Remote Sensing, and Geographic Information Systems.

Major Accomplishments:

Mangrove forest mapping was performed successfully using optical and radar remote sensing data. Methodology was developed for the purpose ( 3 reports published);
Assessment and monitoring of shrimp ponds in Chantaburi, Thailand was performed (project report published); and
Trained 13 people in Remote Sensing and GIS.

1993 : Research Scientist, Radar Research Group, University of Innsbruck, Austria.

Nature of Job:

· A Fellowship Program to conduct advanced analysis of RADAR data for two weeks.

1991-1992: District Forest Officer, District Forest Office (Forest Department, His Majesty’s Government of Nepal), Sindhuli, Nepal.

Nature of Job:

Planning and implementation of community forestry development programs such as mapping, establishment of nurseries, plantation, handover of forest to the user groups etc.;
Mapping , demarcation , protection and management of National Forest; and
Administration, direct supervision and control of more than 100 junior staffs and handling of budget.

1991: Community Forestry Officer, District Forest Office (Forest Department, His Majesty’s Government of Nepal), Sindhuli, Nepal,.

Nature of Job:

· To assist District Forest Officer in planning and implementation of community forestry development activities in the district.

1990: Scientific Officer, National Tree Seed Project, (Forest Department, His Majesty’s Government of Nepal), Kathmandu, Nepal,.

Nature of Job:

Tree seed collection, testing, distribution and providing technical assistance to the institutions and individuals who are involved in reforestation activities; and
Mapping of tree seed growing areas and establishment of permanent seed orchard

1989: Forestry Consultant, .Integrated Development System (IDS), Kathmandu, Nepal.

Nature of Job:

· Cost-Benefit Analysis of Community Forestry Program of Nepal

1987: Math & Science Teacher, Kali Secondary School, Morang, Nepal.

1984: Math & Science Teacher, Dhulabari Secondary School, Dhulabari, Nepal

V. Publications: (selected 4).

5.First Author: Land Use/Land Cover Change in South and South-East Asia. UNEP Environment Assessment Programme for Asia and the Pacific, 1998 Bangkok, Thailand.

6.First Author - Land Cover Assessment and Monitoring of 12 countries (Vol. 1 to 13), UNEP Environment Assessment Programme for Asia and the Pacific, 1996-998, Bangkok, Thailand.

7. First Author - Land Cover Assessment and Monitoring of Bangladesh using AVHRR HRPT Data, a paper published in the “International Journal of Remote Sensing” 20 September 1996, Vol. 17, No. 14.

8.Co-Author - Tropical Mangrove Vegetation Mapping Using Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS Technology, (Main Report, and Executive Summary) Asian Institute of Technology, National Research Council of Thailand, Royal Forest Department and UNEP-GRID Bangkok, (1994) Thailand.

VI. Language and Degree of Proficiency:

Nepali: Excellent (mother tongue)

English: Fluent

Hindi: Fluent

Thai: Minimal

French: Minimal

Bengali: Minimal

VII. Other Releavant Facts

A.Current Research and Project Activity:

2.Principal Investigator: Formulating Conservation Areas Planning and Management Strategies in Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal funded by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Asian Institute of Technology (AIT);

3.Leader: (Forest, Biodiversity, Environmental Data, and Information). Environmental Management Strategy of Greater Mekong Sub-region, funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB), Manila;

4.Principal Investigator: Multi-temporal Land Cover Assessment and Monitoring of Selected Countries in Asia and the Pacific funded by UNEP;

5.Principal Investigator: Regional Aggregation, Compilation and Maintenance of Forest and Biodiversity Information System funded by UNEP;

6.Principal Investigator:Assessment and Monitoring of Environmental Degradation in and around the Refugee Camps of Eastern Nepal funded by United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), Geneva;

7.Principal Investigator: Forest Cover Assessment of Laos, Cambodia and Thailand using VEGETATION Data funded by European Union (EU);

8.Co-researcher : Global Resource Information Database

9.Co-researcher : Capacity Building and Servicing

B.Some Professional Activities:

1998: Associated Faculty, Space Technology Applications and Research Program, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

1998: Expert Image Interpreter, “Global Land Cover Validation Workshop”, 7-11 September organized by University of California Santa Barbara and International Geoshpere Biosphere Programm, EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, USA.

1998: Resource Person: Remote Sensing and GIS, Training on “Environmental Disaster in Asia and the Pacific” 5-26 August organized by Royal Forest Department, Thailand and UNDP, Bangkok, Royal Forest Department, Thailand.

1998: Resource Person: GIS, Environmental Impact Assessment and Review, 7-31 July organized by Continuing Education Center, Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.

1997: Resource Person: Training on "Forest Resources Management, Nov-Dec,

1997" organized by FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and the Continuing Education Center, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

1997: Resource Person of the 3rd. Regional Wood Energy Planning, 1997 organized by FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

1997: Participated as an UNEP representative in "Expert Consultation Meeting on the VEGETATION Monitoring" 21-22 April, Joint Research Centre, Ispra, Italy.

1997: Participated as a member of the panel discussion on the 4th. Global Research Network System (GRNS) Symposium”, 23- 28 January, Yokohama, Japan.

1996: Participated on behalf of UNEP on the second session of the Intergovernmental Consultative Committee (ICC) on the Regional Remote Sensing Program for Sustainable Development, 3-15 June, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

1996: Participant and Co-organizer of “FRA-2000” Forest Resources -2000 meeting, 13-17 March, US Forest Service, Washington DC, USA.

1996: Paper presented at the “3rd. Global Research Network System (GRNS) Symposium”, 23- 28 January, Earth Observation Center, Tokyo, Japan.

1996: Resource Person of the 2nd.. Regional Wood Energy Planning, 1996 organized by FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

1995: Paper presented at the “16th. Asian Conference on Remote Sensing”; 20-24 November, 1995, Korat, Thailand.

1995: Paper presented at the “International Symposium on Vegetation Monitoring”;29-31 August, 1995, Chiba, Japan.

1995: Resource paper presented at the “Expert Consultation on Forest Resources Monitoring Systems” 27 February - 3 March 1995, FAO/RAPA, Bangkok, Thailand.

1995: Participant at the “Ninth Annual Symposium on Geographic Information Systems, GIS-95, 27-30 March, 1995.Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

1994: Paper presented at the seminar on "Monitoring of Tropical Mangrove Vegetaion Using Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS" , 13 May 1994, Murray Garden Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand.

1994: Participant at the “International Seminar on Remote Sensing Data and Geographic Information Systems for Urban Development" 26 October-01 November, Oriental Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand.

1993: Paper presented at the seminar on "Forest Cover Monitoring with the Use of RADAR Data in Tropical Countries" 29 October-3 November 1993, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

1993: Paper presented at the seminar on "Remote Sensing for Coastal Zone and Coral Reef Applications" 26 October-1 November 1993, Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

1993: Participated at the "Asia-Pacific Symposium on Mangrove Ecosystem" 1-3 September, The Hong-Kong University of Science and Technology, Hongkong.

1993: Participant, Workshop on Spatial Information for Social Forestry, Chiangmai,

Thailand; June 24-26 1993.

1993: Paper presented at the seminar on "Monitoring of Mangrove Vegetation using Remote Sensing" 17-20 February, National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), Bangkok, Thailand.

1993: Participant, "ERS-1 Seminar for Decision Maker's", Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand.

C. Membership of Professional Associations:

Member, Nepal Foresters Association
Member, Nepal GIS Society
Member, Tropical Forest Association
Member, Asian Association of Remote Sensing Society (AARS)
Member, Land Cover Working Group of AARS
Member, IUFRO Forest Inventory Working Group
Executive Committee Member ( Jan - Dec, 1997), Nepalese Society, Bangkok.
Member, International Users’ Committee, VEGETATION Preparatory Programme
Member, Land Cover Validation Working Group of IGBP

D. Reward:

King Mahendra Bidhya Bhushan (nominated) - 1998
Austrian Scholarship, Master of Science (Asian Institute of Technology) - 1992/93
Austrian Association for Co-operation and Development Scholarship for Research visit for two weeks in the University of Innsbruck, Austria - 1993
Government Scholarship in Bachelor of Forestry
Awardees, Best Student Award in Bachelor of Science
Government Scholarship in Intermediate of Science

E. References:

Will be provided upon request.

E. Country visited and/or Contact Established:

Malaysia, Philippines, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao P.D.R., Cambodia, Vietnam, China and Japan;
Canada and USA, and
Norway, Belgium, Denmark Austria, Netherlands, France, and Italy.

F. Other Publications

Formulating Conservation Areas Planning and Management Strategies in Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal (Draft Ready).
Main - Author - Forest Cover Dynamics Investigation of the "Hot Spot" Area in Oudomxay Province, Lao P.D.R. UNEP Environment Assessment Programme - Asia and Pacific, 1997 Bangkok, Thailand.
Main-Author - Modeling Deforestation in the Loei Province of Northern Thailand. UNEP Environment Assessment Programme - Asia and Pacific, 1997 Bangkok, Thailand.
Main - Author - Land Use/Land Cover Assessment of Identified "Hot Spot" Area in Mekong Delta, Vietnam. , UNEP Environment Assessment Programme- Asia and Pacific, 1997 Bangkok, Thailand.
Team Leader - Asia/Pacific Mosaic, UNEP Environment Assessment Programme - Asia and Pacific, 1997 Bangkok, Thailand.
Main-Author - Land Cover Assessment and Monitoring (Thailand & Malaysia) Vol. 9-10, UNEP Environment Assessment Programme- Asia and Pacific, 1997 Bangkok, Thailand.
Main-Author - Land Cover Assessment and Monitoring (Main Report, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Lao P.D.R., Myanmar, Nepal, Vietnam) Vol. 1-7, UNEP Environment Assessment Programme- Asia and Pacific, 1995 Bangkok, Thailand.
Author - Developing Land Cover Classification Systems in Asia for NOAA AVHRR Applications; a paper presented at the 16th. Asian Conference on Remote Sensing, 20-24 November 1996, Nakhon Ratchachima, Thailand.
Author - Land Cover Assessment and Monitoring of Bangladesh using AVHRR HRPT Data, a paper published in the “International Journal of Remote Sensing” 20 September 1996, Vol. 17, No. 14.
Author - Mangrove Forest Cover Mapping using Remote Sensing Data in Conjunction with GIS in the Asian and Pacific Remote Sensing Journal Vol. 8, No. 1, July 1995, ESCAP, Bangkok, Thailand.
Author - Land Cover Assessment and Monitoring at UNEP/EAP-AP: A RS and GIS Approach; a paper published in the proceedings of “International Symposium on Vegetation Monitoring” 28-31 August 1995, Tokyo, Japan
Co-Author - Tropical Mangrove Vegetation Mapping Using Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS Technology, (Main Report) Asian Institute of Technology, National Research Council of Thailand, Royal Forest Department and UNEP-GRID Bangkok, (1994) Thailand.
Co-author - Tropical Mangrove Vegetation Mapping Using Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS Technology, (Executive Summary) Asian Institute of Technology, National Research Council of Thailand, Royal Forest Department and UNEP-GRID Bangkok, (1994) Thailand.

XIV. Other:

I CERTIFY THAT ALL INFORMATION STATED IN THIS RESUME IS TRUE AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE. I AUTHORIZE THE UNITED NATIONS TO VERIFY THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS RESUME.

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