Nepal Geological Society (NGS)

Nepal Geological Society (NGS) founded in 1980 is a professional scientific organization of Geoscientists. It was formally registered at the office of Chief District Officer in Kathmandu, Nepal on 15 April 1980 (2 Baishakh 2037 BS). It has about 1000 members, out of which nearly one third are international members from the Asia- Pacific, Europe, Australia and North America.. The Executive Committee carries out the day to day management and other affairs of the society. NGS has been able to effectively establish an international network of geoscientists engaged in the research of the Himalaya, Karakorum, Hindukush and Tibet. It is also the National Group Member of InternationalAssociation for Engineering Geology and the Environment (IAEG). As a member of Nepal National Committee on International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR) the society led the IDNDR activities in Nepal throughout the decade (1990 – 2000) by organizing seminars, workshops and training as well as making relevant publications. It has prepared for the first time the Comprehensive Database on Natural Disaster Management Capabilities in Nepal in 1997. The Society received the 1998 UnitedNations Sasakawa Disaster Prevention Award Certificate of Merit in appreciation for its distinguished contribution to disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness.

On October 14,1979 (Kartik 28, 2036 B.S.) a group of 39 Nepalese geologists and mining engineers gathered in the auditorium of the Department of Mines and Geology, Kathmandu to discuss about the establishment of a geological society in Nepal. Finally they emerged with the unanimous decision to establish the Nepal Geological Society (NGS). The Society was formally registered with the then His Majesty’s Government of Nepal on April 15,1980 (Baisakh 2, 2037 B.S.).

The Society has its office in Kathmandu, Nepal with an office located in the premises of the Department of Mines and Geology, Lainchaur. Presently, the Society has over 850 members encompassing almost all the geoscientists of Nepal as well as many geoscientists of other countries who are actively engaged or interested in the geological research of Himalaya-Tibet region. In this regard the Nepal Geological Society is more than just a national society. It has over one third of its members from this region and overseas. The society is also gradually fulfilling a role of a regional geoscientific organization. It is hoped that the Society may be able to help to develop a better networking of the scientists of this region and overseas and foster an atmosphere for a more effective regional and international scientific cooperation in the field of researches in the Himalayan earth sciences.  

Main objectives of the society

·         To develop and promote the research and application of geological sciences to the national development,

·         To foster high professional standard among its members, and

·         To promote and protect the professional interests of earth scientists of the country.

·         To be active in protection and conservation of environment and in reduction of natural disaster

Main activities 

·         Publication of the Journal of the Nepal Geological Society (Regular and Special Issues), News Bulletin of the Nepal Geological Society and other relevant materials,

·         Organization of national and international seminars, workshops and symposia on geoscience and related fields,

·         Establishment and development of effective cooperation with other national as well as international professional and scientific societies,

·         Encouragement of geoscientific research in the Nepal Himalaya,

·         Provision of expert services and advice to the government and other agencies in the related fields such as on natural resources development, environmental issues, mitigation and management of natural hazards etc.,

·         Organization of special lectures by national and international geoscientists and other professionals.

Management

General Body Meeting of the society is held every year during the month of August. It is the apex body of the Society. An Executive Committee is elected by all the members for a three years term by secret ballot for the day to day management of the Society affairs. An election committee, constituted for the purpose, conducts the election. The newly elected Executive Committee assumes duty from 1st of September of the election year. The Executive Committee is supported by other sub-committees.