MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

BETWEEN

SURVEY DEPARTMENT,
MINISTRY OF LAND REFORM AND MANAGEMENT, GOVERNMENT OF NEPAL
AND

Ev-K2-CNR COMMITTEE

for the establishment of a collaboration agreement between the two organisations (hereafter referred to as Partners) to undertake activities of mutual interest in the fields of Geodesy.

2012

Preamble
The SURVEY DEPARTMENT, Ministry of Land Reform and Management, Government of Nepal Minbhavan, Kathmandu, Nepal, represented by its Director General Krishna Raj B.C. AND Ev-K2CNR COMMITTEE Via San Bernardino, 145 24126 Bergamo, Italy, represented by its President Agostino Da Polenza found it mutually beneficial to have a formal understanding for the establishment of collaboration agreement between the two Partners to undertake activities of mutual interest in the fields of Geodesy, also in view of a specific program to be developed for the measurement of the elevation of Mt. Everest.

CONSIDERING THAT
The Survey Department, Ministry of Land Reform and Management, Government of Nepal (hereafter referred to as Survey Department (SD)) undertakes national surveying and mapping activities in the country. The Department has a broad multi-disciplinary resource base and produces a wide range of geoinformation including cadastral products using technologies such as ground survey, aerial photography, and other services in order to support multi-sectorial development activities. The structure of the organisation is composed of Geodetic Survey Branch, Topographical Survey Branch, Cadastral Survey Branch, National Geographic Information Infrastructure Programme and 83 Survey offices in 75 districts of Nepal. The Ev-K2-CNR Committee (hereafter referred to as Ev-K2-CNR) started in 1987 a geological and geodetic research campaign in the Himalayan (Everest) and Karakorum (K2) mountains, under the guidance of Prof. Ardito Desio in collaboration with CNR, the Italian National Research Council. Since 1989, Ev-K2-CNR, an independent non-profit association dedicated to scientific and technological research, promotes and develops research activity in the Hindu Kush Karakorum Himalaya (HKKH) mountain region, coordinating, in particular, the research and technological activities carried out at the International Pyramid Laboratory Observatory (hereafter referred to as Pyramid) in Nepal, in the Everest Region. The Pyramid was constructed in 1990 at 5.050 m (16,568 ft.) a.s.l., in the Khumbu Valley, Sagarmatha National Park, at the base of Everest on the Nepalese side. Since then, the Pyramid, managed by Ev-K2-CNR together with the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), has become a unique resource for the international scientific community.

IT IS HEREBY AGREED THAT

1. This is a non-exclusive contract between the Partners and reserves the right of each organisation to work independently or with other organisations. The contents of this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will not affect the existing agreements between EvK2-CNR and their main partner institution in Nepal, the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and other partners or that of Survey Department with its other partners.

2. The intent of this MoU is to enhance the capacity of the two organisations partners in Nepal to efficiently and effectively implement research in the fields of Geodesy. 3. The expected outcome of this MoU is to develop an effective mechanism to collaborate in the implementation of surveying activities aiming at the determination of leveling, GPS and gravity profiles, necessary to improve the accuracy of the local Geoid of Nepal. This activity will also promote advanced studies for the determination of gravity anomalies, plate tectonics movements and the measurement of the elevation of the Mt. Everest. 4. Survey Departments responsibility shall be: collaborating with Ev-K2-CNR to promote technical and tutorial activities in the above-mentioned fields of Gravity, geometric leveling and GPS surveying; collaborating with Ev-K2-CNR in the promotion of new Geodetic research activities in Nepal; promoting research projects within their current areas of interest and expertise. Activities will be carried out in synergy with Ev-K2-CNR while the results of all research will be shared with Ev-K2-CNR. persuading the Government of Nepal to waive or reduce the tax and excise duties to be levied on the import of this project's machines or equipments.

5.

Ev-K2-CNRs responsibility shall be: helping, in collaboration with the Survey Department, at improving the surveying capabilities of the Nepalese surveyors with particular attention to leveling, gravity, GPS and Geoid data processing; increasing the expertise of Nepalese researchers, specifically of Survey Department Staff, by stimulating their active involvement in research activities, field work and data analysis; assisting the Survey Department in giving more visibility, within the scientific community, to the scientific activities carried out by the Department itself. Both Partners responsibility shall be: publishing results of their research in peer-reviewed scientific journals, managementrelated journals, in popular periodicals or other media, for the benefit of the entire scientific and conservation-related community. Publications in scientific journals and other peer-reviewed periodicals will include co-authors from the MoU Partners who have actively contributed to the research by collecting data in the field, in research design, or in data analysis; preparing joint proposals, reports, press releases, etc. on research and results, as required for fund raising, communication and dissemination purposes. Research results and relevant reports prepared within the framework of this agreement may be disseminated to third parties by either signatory Partner of this MoU with the express consent of the other signatory Partner; providing and sharing existing or new data related to research identified or collected within the framework of this agreement, in a timely manner where relevant and appropriate; acknowledging the source organisation each time their data is used; 3

6.

communicating on a regular basis to strengthen co-ordination between the Partners (at least every six months); being responsible for covering all costs of their respective activities but agree to coordinate fundraising efforts for joint activities when possible and appropriate. highlighting benefits for Nepalese scientists, specifically of Survey Department Staff, throughout the duration of this project which may include: involvement and training of Survey Department Staff ; raising awareness; constant interaction with local communities.

7. The copyright of the data collected and produced as part of the projects performed within the framework of this MOU will belong to the SD, as a national mapping agency of Nepal. These data will be shared with Ev-K2-CNR to be used for further research purposes and publications. They may be released to third parties only upon explicit written agreement between the two signatory partners to this MOU. 8. Any scientific or popular publication must include due acknowledgments to both Partners, the funding agencies and the national and international institutions and researchers involved. The Survey Department and Ev-K2-CNR shall reciprocally verify the accuracy and completeness of the acknowledgments before publication. 9. Each partner shall designate a focal point of contact for taking measures to assist in the further development of the activities as below: Giorgio Poretti Ev-K2-CNR Committee Kalyan Gopal Shrestha Survey Department

For the purpose of this MoU, usual communications will be made through e-mail/Internet and meetings between the points of contacts shall be held, as deemed necessary. 10. Neither organisation shall make any commitments or take any positions on behalf of the other without that organisations specific written consent. 11. The present MoU shall enter into force from the date of signature for a period of 5 years, unless sooner terminated if requested by either partner, with justified cause, with 30 days prior written notice. The renewal must be agreed upon in writing by both the Partners. 12. Following this agreement, the Partners will jointly define programs and/or operative protocols, approved by the competent bodies and signed by the legal representatives of both Partners. These programs and/or operative protocols will identify the aims of each initiative, the type of activities to be carried out, the duration, the research methods, and any eventual, necessary financial resources provided by the Partners or by any other donors identified by the Partners, the allocation of funds and statement modalities. 13. This MoU may be modified only by written amendment approved by the two Partners. Any dispute arising between the Partners concerning the interpretation and application of the present MoU shall be settled amicably through negotiation between the Partners.

Agostino Da Polenza President Ev-K2-CNR Committee Date:

Krishna Raj B.C. Director General Survey Department, Ministry of Land Reform and Management, Government of Nepal Date: