The International Project “Natural Hazard Risk Management for transport infrastructure in Kyrgyzstan: Focus protection forest” has being implemented in 2014-2015 funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management. The main objective of this project was to contribute to a sustainable natural hazard management along transportation corridors in Kyrgyzstan. The Austria-Central Asia Centre for Geographic Information Science (ACA*GIScience) at the Kyrgyz State University of Construction, Transport and Architecture (KSUCTA) and the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University (KNAU) have contributed to the realization of this project coordinated by Dr. Antonia Zeidler from the Institute for Natural Hazards, Federal Research and Training Centre for Forests, Natural Hazards and Landscape (BFW). The project is supported by the MInistry of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic and other Kyrgyz and Austrian research instituions, NGO and companies have assisted project activities.
The avalanche hazard potential along the Bishkek-Osh road was identified and an avalanche geodatabase was designed and developed using topographic and avalanche maps, infrastructural, geological and geographical layers and statistical datasets. The estimation of the current protection effect of forests in the potential avalanche release areas, track and run-out zones are investigated. Field work has helped with assessing the potential for improved maintenance of the forest and identifying areas with the capacity for sustainable reforestation.
The International Workshop “Avalanche mitigation methods and technologies” will be held on 2 June, 2015 at KNAU to present the project findings as well as current avalanche mitigation methods and technologies. Representatives of International Organizations and Kyrgyz authorities, research institutions and universities will attend this event to discuss urgent issues connected with disaster risk reduction in Kyrgyzstan.
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