Framework for Assessment of Eco-Safe Rural Roads in Panchase Geographic Region in Central–Western Nepal Hills

Abstract

Rural roads are important for the communities in the hilly areas of Nepal as they introduce livelihood opportunities at the local level, and provide better access to the healthcare, education, and resources. Yet, most of the rural roads in Nepal are unplanned and non-engineered, and these roads are often closed for many months during and after the monsoon. Such roads require huge investments, especially post-monsoon, to clear debris and to keep them operational. In parallel, there is evidence that such roads lead to a large number of slope failures and accelerated sedimentation, which degrade the environment and ecosystem services. To remedy such roadside slope failures, eco-engineering practices were tested and demonstrated in partnership with three communities in the Panchase Region of the Nepal’s Central–Western hills. Eco-engineering is a hybrid approach, combining civil engineering works for drainage and slope stability, with the plantation of deep-rooted vegetation. It is one activity contributing to nature-based solutions (NbS) for the sustainable and long-term operation of the rural roads in the Panchase geographic region. This paper describes the inter-disciplinary and community-based research, monitoring, and evaluation methods applied, including the establishment of onsite demonstration plots and rhizotrons in which key performance indicator (KPI) analysis of plant species was performed. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of eco-engineering for reducing risk, while creating ecological co-benefits along rural roads (or eco-safe roads) in hilly areas. Based on this research, an “eco-safe rural road assessment framework” was developed, outlining the systematic process to be followed for the design of eco-safe rural roads for more sustainable road construction and maintenance. The eco-engineering practices which are being promoted by this framework were accepted by communities and could be further implemented by local government bodies and upscaled in other similar hilly areas around the country.

Moving toward sustainability and circularity in hill road construction: a study of barriers, practices and performance

“…(2012), Shen et al. (2007), Devkota et al. (2019), Pham and Kim (2019) and Inti and Tandon (2021), seven items for the environmental dimension from Shi et al.…”

“…The first section of the questionnaire contains three scales measuring the constructs of the conceptual model. Resources, managerial and regulatory barriers to the implementation of sustainability practices in HRC projects were measured with a 21-item scale adapted from various sources, namely Pitt et al Devkota et al (2019). For all those constructs, the respondents were required to indicate their level of agreement with a total of 21 items on a 5-point scale ranging from "strongly disagree" (1) to "strongly agree" (5).…”

“…The level of implementation of sustainability practices (i.e., sustainable construction materials, sustainable construction design, modern construction methods, environmental provision and reporting) was measured with a 24-item scale adapted from multiple sources such asTan et al (20211),Armstrong and Davis (2013),Huang et al, (2013),Hearn and Shakya (2018),McGuire and Morrall (2020), andAranda et al (2021). Finally, the sustainable performance of the organization was assessed with a three-dimensional scale comprising six items for the economic dimension adapted fromShi et al (2012),Shen et al (2007),Devkota et al (2019),Pham and Kim (2019), andInti and Tandon (2021), seven items for the environmental dimension fromShi et al (2012),Pham andKim (2019), andTandon (2021), and eight items for the social dimension were adapted formShen et al (2011…”

A framework for understanding water-related multi-hazards in a sustainable development context

“…Water-related hazards are most often driven by intense and/or prolonged rainfall whilst moderated by site-specific basin characteristics (Devkota et al, 2014; Kirschbaum et al, 2012). The critical analysis also found that there were many publications focused on the distribution of landslide events and the thematic grouping of different types of mass movements in which flooding did not feature (Chen et al, 2016; Galli et al, 2008).…”

Effects of Film Mulching on Plant Growth and Nutrients in Artificial Soil: A Case Study on High Altitude Slopes

“…In the process of human engineering activities, a large number of slopes are usually excavated [1][2][3]. The formation of cut slopes causes great disturbance to the ecosystem, such as the removal of natural soil, the destruction of natural vegetation and the degradation of biodiversity in mountainous areas [4][5][6]. Such disturbance is increased by additive effects in high altitude areas with a long sunshine duration, an extremely low temperature, constantly changing weather conditions, and concentrated rainfall.…”