An academic from Aston University, Birmingham, has been actively supporting hill communities that have been highly exposed to multiple hazards in the Northwest Indian Himalayas and Nepal. In the last 10 years, a series of devastating disaster incidents caused multiple natural hazards severely impacting hill communities in the region. In response, the UK and Indian governments, alongside local communities, have been working to build disaster-resilient systems to support Himalayan sustainability.
Dr Komal Raj Aryal, a crisis and disaster management expert at Aston Business School, has been conducting field research and working closely with local communities to aid in reducing multiple risks associated with natural hazards and providing expertise to plan effectively for potential crises.
Dr Aryal said: “It was a great pleasure to work with the most marginalised hills communities, particularly the Pahadi communities in Northwest Indian Himalayas and Nepal. It was a privilege to apply the knowledge I have gained over the past 25 years, first studying and later working for various academic institutions in the United Kingdom and currently at Aston Business School to support communities that have been highly exposed to multiple hazards, particularly the earthquakes, landslides, floods and wildfire.
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“In the next four years, in partnership with Central University of Himachal Pradesh, I hope to coordinate multiple local disaster scenarios-based exercises on crisis and disaster risk management using innovative user-friendly tools and technologies to prepare various future disaster incidents directly contribute to long-term response and recovery efforts in remote villages.”
His work is part of a four-year partnership between three UK universities – Aston University, University of Cambridge and Lancaster University – and three academic institutions including Central University of Himachal Pradesh in India. The research focuses on earthquake risk reduction, providing effective response and resilience building at local levels across Himachal Pradesh India and Western regions of Nepal.
Since arriving in India in mid-January 2025, Dr Aryal has been engaged in field research in areas highly prone to earthquakes, landslides, floods and forest fires. In partnership with the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, he has been collaborating with state and district disaster management authorities and local communities, assessing the earthquake's impact and analysing local disaster response strategies. His work also focuses on localised crisis and disaster awareness in the region.
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Professor Sat Prakash Bansal, Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, said: “I am so proud of knowing Dr Komal and his research team’s innovative tools and techniques to reduce risk at local levels and his tireless efforts in supporting hill communities of Himachal Pradesh and Nepal.
“Their research is not only impactful for local disaster responses but also invaluable in shaping future risk and response governance strategies globally through the post-Sendai Framework of Action for Disaster Risk Reduction.”
*Info: Aston University