General Information
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Mission: Mountain Legacy is a non-governmental organization based in Nepal and dedicated to the cultural and natural conservation of remote mountainous regions. |
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Mountain Hazards, Mountain Tourisme-Conference Wrap-upFrom Nov. 7-Dec. 7 2006, Mountain Legacy and Himalayan Journal of Sciences hosted an e-conference on Mountain Hazards, Mountain Tourism. A document summarizing the presentations is posted at www.mountainlegacy.net/econf/wrapup.html |
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Among the salient points made at the e-conference:
- Although climate change is increasing the likelihood of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), we now have the scientific tools to monitor and quantify such hazards.
- Unfortunately, those tools are not being used on a regular basis.
- This increases the hazard of media sensationalism, increasing the risk of serious economic damage as well as lost scientific credibility.
- More attention must be paid to the human component of mountain hazards. Ethnic cleansing programs such as the current disaster in Bhutan cause suffering and economic damage on a scale that beggars most natural events.
- Contrary to published reports, the hazard mitigation project at Tsho Rolpa in Rolwaling was left in an incomplete state and without provision for scientific monitoring; the lake still poses a great risk.
Alton Byers awarded Hillary Medal
On March 23, 2007, Dr. Alton C. Byers, Director of Research and Education at The Mountain Institute, was presented with the Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal at a ceremony hosted by Prof. Beau B. Beza of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and Architects Without Frontiers (Australia).
Prof. Teiji Watanabe of Hokkaido University comments:
The contributions of Alton Byers as a conservationist and development worker are impressive. He has succeeded in applying his research experiences to the design and implementation of conservation and community development programmes. He is not just a strong mountain researcher nor an outstanding conservationist, but a researcher who has been leading conservation programs that have consistently proved effective. Also, he has greatly influenced various organizations and individuals involved in mountain conservation. His long-term exposure to remote mountain societies in various parts of the world are exceptional.
We congratulate Dr. Byers and wish him success in his new collaboration with the American Alpine Club. [More...]
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Projects:
- The Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal is awarded "for remarkable service in the conservation of culture and nature in remote mountainous regions." Nominations are now being accepted for the third Hillary Medal. [More...]
- The first Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal was presented to Michael Schmitz (left) and Helen Cawley at Tengboche Monastery on May 29, 2003. [More...]
- Mountain Legacy is organizing a unique mountain research center in Rolwaling Valley, Nepal. [More...]
- Mountain Legacy is compiling a directory of volunteer opportunities in remote mountainous regions. [More...]
For more information, contact Seth Sicroff: sicroff@gmail.com
World Expeditions is proud to be a major sponsor of the Sir Edmund Hillary Mountain Legacy Medal. The 2008 Hillary Medal will be presented to the winner on a unique World Expeditions 55th Everest Anniversary Trek in the Himalaya, in May 2008. World Expeditions applauds the good work this Medal represents in supporting and assisting the welfare of mountain people and continuing Sir Edmund Hillary's humanitarian projects.
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