Our Team

Dr. Basanta Raj Adhikari is a Director at the Centre for Disaster Studies and an assistant professor at the Department of Civil Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University. His main research interests are in the tectonics of the Himalayas, climate change, hill-slope movement and human interaction, landslide Early Warning systems, Multi-hazard risk assessment, community-based disaster risk reduction and nature-based solutions. He has published more than 50 scientific research papers and book chapters and received various recognitions for his work in the field of earth science and disaster risk reduction. His detailed information can be found on his personal web page: http://bradhikari.com.np

Dr. Raju Thapa is a practitioner lawyer with wide range of academic degrees and experiences on different areas like disaster management, conflict management, political science, sociology and human rights. He has a vast experience in these areas working with various national and international agencies. He has served as a research fellow in Tribhuvan University, CINAS. He is also an Alumnus of Queensland University of Technology in inclusive disaster management and an awardee of Australia Awards in 2018.

Mr. Keshab Datta Bhatta holds a Master’s degree in Educational Planning and Management from T.U. Nepal. With nearly 26 years of progressive professional management and technical experience, his expertise spans various sectors. Mr. Bhatta background includes 10 years of teaching, 8 years in the Nepal Red Cross Society, and 8 years and 6 months with CARE International, Nepal. His focus has been on building community resilience through development initiatives, disaster preparedness, and Climate Change Adaptation. He has extensive experience in rapid response procedures, Build Back Better (BBB) programs, and multi-sectorial humanitarian response projects funded by donors such as ECHO, FCDO, LDSC, DFAT, USAID, UNICEF, Save the Children, and Rota Foundation. As a multi-skilled professional, Mr. Bhatta excels in managing diverse programs including education, shelter, WASH, cash assistance, livelihood, and early recovery. He is well-versed in disaster risk management, including community-based, school-based, and urban DRR. Additionally, he is
proficient in cash programming and capacity building for organizations like the Nepal Red Cross, local government, and civil society. Mr. Bhatta is also an experienced facilitator, offering expertise in various areas such as Generic ToT, Inclusive Disaster Risk Management, School Safety Planning, Community Mobilization, Reflect, Leadership, Inclusive Early Warning Systems, Shock-Responsive Social Protection Systems (SRSP), Anticipatory Action (AA), Forecast-based Action (FbA), Social Inclusion, Community Action for Disaster Response (CADRE), Local Disaster Response Team (LDRT), District Disaster Response Team (DDRT), Sphere Standards, Core Humanitarian Standards, Rapid Response Team (RRT) training, First Aid, Gender in Emergency, Disaster Needs Assessment, and more.

A Youth Activist, Researcher and an Entrepreneur, Mr. Suraj Gautam is a Civil Engineer and a DRR Professional with a healthy experience in leading DRR related projects, Trans boundary research, conducting risk assessments, using frontier technologies like Drones for DRR planning and urban development. His key research interests include the study of Geo-Hazards, Climate Change, Flood/Landslides Risk Mapping, Modelling, and Early Warning System. Currently, he is serving as an Executive Director at the Institute of Himalayan Risk Reduction. He is also enrolled in a Young Scientist Program of Integrated Research on Disaster Risk (IRDR). He also served as a Fellow at the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor's Research Fellowship 2020/21 Program.

Mr. Harshaman Maharjan has completed Masters in Mathematics from Tribhuvan University. He has been working on disaster risk reduction and management from 2060 B.S. He has been working as Program cum program coordinator in NRCS Kirtipur Sub Chapter. He has completed several trainings and has been active in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management since 2060 B.S. He has been facilitating DPNet as Deputy General Secretary.

Amika Rajthala has been active in Nepalese media since 1996 AD. Within the time span of journalism career, she has been involved in daily, weekly, monthly and online outlets of news media. She had started her career as a journalist from Nepal Samachar Patra Daily and worked as a Editor and Publisher of Hasana Magazine, women focused Nepalese monthly magazine for 12 years. With the experience of 28 years journalism career she is leading Disaster Journalism Network, DJN and  she is former president of Working Women Journalists, WWJ which has 54 district chapters.

Her academic background is PGD (Post Graduation Diploma) in Women Studies and Masters in Sociology. As a women and gender expert, apart from journalism she initiated and coordinated for Research Book entitled, "Women in Newsroom: A study on status and Barriers", 2020 Published from Working Women Journalists, WWJ and Profile book, 'Working Women Journalists' (English) and 'Kriyashil Patrakar Mahila' (Nepali), 2019, Published from Working Women Journalists (WWJ).

She has been Editor of book entitled,'Preranadaee Mahilaharu'[Inspirational women](2073, 2075 and 2079 B.S. Different volumes), and Editor of  book Sangharshasheel Yoddhaharu, second volume. These books have been Published by Motidevi Smriti Kendra, Kathmandu, Nepal. She is Editor and coordinator of a book entitled, "Pratham Tatha Agraj Nepali Mahila"  [First and foremost Women of Nepal]. Women's profile collection book is from earlier to 1961 A.D. It was supported by National Women Commission, Nepal and published too. She had worked as a biography writer for many books, among them "Sambidhansabhaka Mahila Sadashyaharu" (Women member of Constituent Assembly) was published by women caucus, Constituent Assembly, and Nepal law society.

Nowadays, she is a freelance journalist leading for  Insight  Publication Pvt.Ltd, which has published 11 books.

Ram Krishna Ray is a public health professional with over five years of experience in program coordination, implementation, monitoring, and stakeholder engagement, with specialization in epidemiology particularly in emergency response, tuberculosis control, maternal and neonatal health. He has worked extensively with government health systems, donor-funded projects (Global Fund, UNDP, Save the Children, One Heart World-Wide, ADRA), and NGOs across multiple districts of Nepal. He is currently serving as the Executive Director of Bagmati Welfare Society (BWSN), where he provides strategic leadership in program management, governance, partnerships, and donor coordination. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Health and is actively engaged in provincial and national networks related to social protection, disaster preparedness, and public health governance.

Kalpana Rawal Bogati is a development professional with a Master’s degree in Rural Development. She serves as the Chairperson of VDSEF Nepal and is a member of the NGO Federation of Nepal, currently holding the role of Deputy In-Charge for Karnali Province, contributing to community development and civil society coordination.

Shiba Ram Gautam is a disaster management and humanitarian specialist, currently serving as Deputy Director at Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) in Kathmandu. With more than 24 years of experience, he has played key roles in disaster risk reduction, emergency response, first aid, and organizational capacity building at both national and district levels. Mr. Gautam has led major disaster response operations, including during the 2008 Koshi flood and the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, demonstrating exceptional leadership and coordination skills.

He is recognized for his ability to build strategic partnerships, negotiate with diverse stakeholders, and drive consensus in complex environments. His expertise spans program design, policy development, and stakeholder engagement, working closely with government agencies, donors, and international organizations. Mr. Gautam holds a Master’s degree in Sociology and a Bachelor’s in Business Studies, and has completed advanced international and national trainings in disaster management, first aid, and leadership. His dedication to inclusive, evidence-based approaches has made a significant impact on disaster preparedness and resilience in Nepal.

Ishwar Datt Upadhyay is currently working with the National Environment and Equity Development Society Nepal (NEEDS Nepal) as a Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Resilient Action thematic lead. Mr. Upadhyay brings over 15 years of intensive experience in community-based disaster risk reduction (DRR). He has extensive experience working with development partners such as Oxfam, UNICEF, IFRC, and Mercy Corps. He holds a master’s degree in Rural Development and is passionate about finding innovative approaches to address the urgent needs of disaster-vulnerable communities. He has sound knowledge of developing DRR-related plans, guidelines, and policies at local and district levels. Additionally, he has facilitated various trainings at the community, municipal, and district levels.

Mr. Sher Bahadur Basnet has completed Bachelors in Political Science. He has worked as Program Director of FAYA Nepal, Province Coordinator in Education Watch Group, Central Committee Secretary in National Allaince for Human Rights and Social Justice and Central Committee Member in DPNet Nepal. 

With nearly three decades of experience in civil engineering and extensive involvement in NGO management, social mobilization, and community empowerment, Hira Singh Thapa, founder of SOSEC Nepal, is a tireless advocate for marginalized groups' rights in Karnali Province, Nepal.  He has been deeply committed to addressing societal challenges, actively campaigning against harmful practices like child marriage and Chhaupadi, while championing children's and women's rights. His leadership roles within SOSEC Nepal highlight his ability to effectively manage teams and drive impactful initiatives, ensuring that decisions are implemented and objectives achieved. Furthermore, his involvement in diverse committees and networks underscores his commitment to broader social causes, while his technical skills and training in areas ranging from project management to gender balance reflect versatility and dedication to continuous learning. Through his exemplary contributions and achievements, Mr. Hira Singh Thapa has made significant steps in promoting social justice, community development, and sustainable practices in  the Rural areas of Karnali Province. His efforts have earned him prestigious awards, including the NCRC award and the N-Peace award 2018 from South Asia region.

Mr. Hari Bandhu Aryal is from PutaliBazar Municipality Ward No 11 Syangja .He has been involved in the Disaster Management sector in Nepal continuously for 17 years .He is currently from the organization named International Nepal Fellowship (Nepal) Centre Office Pokhara and working as a DRR & CCA Technical Coordinator. His academic education level Masters in Sociology and Masters in Population Education from Tribhuvan University. He has published different disaster relevant articles in national and local level newspapers.

He is an experienced practitioner specializing in Natural Resource Management, Watershed Management, and River System Management. Proven track record in Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), and Livelihood projects with both national and international exposure. He has expertise in mobilizing local communities, engaging with local governments, and delivering high-quality results. Proficient in Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), needs assessment, problem-solving, institutional development, administrative management, emergency management, health, and sanitation education. 

Mr. Kamal Kumar Bishwakarma has been working on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management since 2065 B.S. He has been involving in different training facilitations on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change. He is working as Vice President of NGO Federation of Nepal, Bagmati Province Committee and as a member of Capacity Building Department, NGO Federation Central Committee. He has completed several trainings and has been active in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management since 2065 B.S. He has been facilitating DPNet as Bagmati Province Coordinator.

Mr. Dharma Raj Ghimire currently holds the position of Programme Manager/Executive Director at the Center for Development and Disaster Management (CDM Nepal). With 17 years of experience, he has actively contributed to various interventions such as disaster management, livelihood promotion, water and sanitation, emergency response, and community resilience projects. Additionally, he serves as the Lumbini Province Coordinator, playing a facilitating role for DPNet Nepal.

Ms. Sita Sharma is an experienced professional who serves rural, disadvantaged women in Nepal become empowered and aware of their civil rights. She is a Coordinator of DPNet Nepal Provincial Committe from Koshi. In her employment at Nari Bikash Sangh, she works to empower and develop women in the region, promoting gender equality, economic opportunities, and social inclusion.

Shyam Babu Kattel is a disaster risk reduction and community resilience practitioner from Nepal, currently serving as National President of the National Network of Community Disaster Management Committees of Nepal (N-CDMC). He also works closely with the Ministry of Home Affairs (NDRRMA), supporting disaster-affected communities. With experience in climate change adaptation, preparedness planning, forest management, and capacity development, he has played a key role in strengthening community-led disaster management at local, provincial, and national levels.