Environmental radiation – an important concern in the Himalayas (Nepal)

Nepal, being a Himalayan country, could provide a unique site for studying high altitude radioactivity and radio-ecological processes. We propose a two-pronged approach for better understanding the exposure of its people to environmental radiation, whilst at the same time evaluating environmental and geological processes using fallout radionuclides as radioactive tracers. In other words, fallout radionuclides could be a helpful tool in investigating the environmental processes in the mountain and river ecosystems of Nepal, including climate change-driven processes. Nepal’s geo-strategic location, bordering both China and India, should be further encouragement to build a strong foundation for radio-(eco)logical research that would help it to tackle any radiological or nuclear disasters in the foreseeable future. Nepal would also offer an interesting venue for a laboratory of environmental radioactivity and radioecology research both from a regional and international perspective. We therefore believe that Nepal should welcome the idea of establishing scientific collaboration internationally, becoming a focus for high-altitude radioecology research.