The Himalayan Review 38 (2007) 1-12

Harka Gurung’s Contribution in Nepal Geographical Society

and Its Publications
Padma Chandra Poudel, Ph.D.
[email protected]

Background
Nepal Geographical Society (NGS) established in 1961, is the oldest organization of
Nepalese Geographers. It is devoted to promote geographic research, education and
disseminate contemporary geographic ideas to the society through research, discussion,
lecture, conferences, exhibitions and publication of books and journals. In the ad-hoc
executive committee of seven members formed in 1962 under the Presidentship of Mr.
Ram Krishna Shrestha, Harka Gurung served as member after his return from UK. Gurung
was elected as secretary in the executive committee of NGS formed for the term of two
years (1966-1968). In the succeeding executive committees of 1968-1970 and 1970-
1972, Gurung served as secretary. As president, Harka Gurung served the society from
1986-1990. He was a life member of the society. Now, NGS is 39 years old and 17th
executive committee of nine members is at work. Gurung lead the society only one term as
president and two terms as secretary. However, Dr. Gurung’s role, guidance, aspiration
and articles published in different theme and type during different responsibility of job and
status in governmental and non-governmental organizations have been appreciable in the
society from its birth.

The Himalayan Review

Nepal Geographical Society began the publication of its journal “The Himalayan Review”
from 1968, when Harka Gurung was the secretary. Since then the society is regularly
publishing its journal The Himalayan Review. From the initial issue, Gurung served as
member of the editorial board, continuously up to the volume V. Afterwards, he was advising
editor of vol. VI of 1973/74, and again editor of the vol. XX-XXIII (1989-92). Being an
annual publication of NGS the executive committee of the society appoints the editorial
board/committee. However, there is no consistency in the post and number of persons in
the board. Occasionally the editorial board includes name/s of executive, advising,
corresponding and special editors. The numbers of persons in the board ranges from three
to nine members.

The Himalayan Review publishes original scholarly articles focused on topics of interest
of geographers in general and Nepalese issue in particular. Articles by broad field of

© Nepal Geographical Society

2 Harka Gurung’s Contribution in Nepal Geographical Society and Its Publications

geography, the maximum (9.4 %) are in agriculture, geomorphology, urban followed by

geographic methods (7.7 %), tourism (6.8%), climatology (6.0 %), and 5.1 per cent each
in environment, geography general, population and settlement. The minimum (1.7 %) are in
remote sensing/GIS, social, political, nutrition (Subedi and Poudel, 2002). While writing a
perspective of The Himalayan Review in 1980 Dr. Gurung categorically pointed out that
“there are no articles on other important economic themes such as pastoralism, internal
trade, tourism, medical geography or human ecology and geology, glaciology and plant
geography (Gurung, 1980:48). By spatial focus of research work the maximum (39.3 %)
are in Nepal in general followed by hill (34.2 %), other countries (9.4 %), mountain (7.7
%), geography general (6 5) and Tarai (3.4 %) respectively (Subedi and Poudel, 2002:3).
Of the total (159) articles published up to 2005 the maximum (82.4 %) are research and
17.6 per cent review articles. In this journal only 11.5 per cent research articles are contributed
by foreign writers whereas, all the review articles are the contribution of native writers
(Table 1).

Out of 25 issues, contribution of the foreign writers is embodied only in 13 issues. By

number of the articles the II-III volume is the leading and vol. XXXIII is the smallest. Span
of pages in the journal ranges in between 28 (in 1985) to largest 132 (in 1996).Volume 33
is devoted to content of index (1968-2002) therefore; it contains only one article that
appraises characteristics of the journal. Though, the number and size varies from volume I
to VII the journal has continuously given space for the advertisement. Onward vol. VII
advertisement appears occasionally. Because of low price in comparison to the printing
cost and insufficient financial source, inclusion of advertisement had been compulsion for
NGS to continue the journal. The journal priced Rs. 10 for the initial volume but the price
of II-III volume was reduced half (Rs. 10 to 5). This price continued for ten years (1978).
In 1979 price increased by four times (Rs 5 to20). After 5 years, in 1983, it was revised to
double increase (Rs. 20 – 40). Nearly one and half decade (1983-1997) this price remained
unchanged. The journal priced Rs. 100 for the vol. XXIX (1998). The latest price of the
journal is Rs. 125.

Contributions by Harka Gurung

Besides, executive committee and editorial board Dr. Gurung presented himself as an
outstanding and dynamic contributor of both research and review article in the journal of
NGS. This journal publishes both research and review articles. A total of 159 articles have
been published representing 131 research and 28 review articles up to volume 35-36. Out
of 131 research articles only 11 are written in joint authorship. In total Dr. Gurung contributed
ten research articles and six review articles in The Himalayan Review. Of the total of his
research articles nine are of single and only one of joint authorship. Out of his ten articles six
are related to physical geography, two populations and one each on tourism and general
aspects (Table 2).
 Padma Chandra Poudel 3

Table 1. Nature of Articles Published in The Himalayan Review

Volume Research Articles Review Articles Total
Total Foreign Native Total Foreign Native
Writers Writers Writers Writers
I 6 1 5 5 - 5 11
II-III 12 - 12 3 1 2 15
IV 8 1 7 1 - 1 9
V 4 - 4 - - - 4
VI 6 1 5 - - - 6
VII 4 1 3 1 - 1 5
VIII 4 1 3 1 - 1 5
IX 4 2 2 2 - 2 6
X 4 1 3 2 - 2 6
XI 4 - 4 1 - 1 5
XII 5 1 4 2 - 2 7
XIII 4 2 2 1 - 1 5
XIV 4 - 4 2 - 2 6
XV 4 1 3 1 - 1 5
XVI 3 - 3 - - - 3
XVII-XIX 3 - 3 - - - 3
XX-XXIII 6 1 5 - - - 6
XXIV-XXVIII 10 - 10 - - - 10
XXIX 10 - 10 - - - 10
XXX 7 1 6 1 - 1 8
XXXI 5 - 5 1 - 1 6
XXXII 4 - 4 2 - 2 6
XXXIII 1 - 1 - - - 1
XXXIV 4 1 3 2 - 2 6
XXXV-XXXVI 5 - 5 - - - 5
Total 131 15 116 28 1 27 159

The first article of Gurung in The Himalayan Review is entitled as Geographic Foundation
of Nepal. This is the opening article of this journal. Dividing the discussion into five different
sub-topics (natural division, climate, vegetation, cultural process, population and settlement
and circulation pattern) Gurung has concisely introduced geographical facts of Nepal,
in a descriptive way, without using tables, maps and diagrams. In this article discussion of
physical and socio-cultural aspects follows separate sub-headings, but drainage and
transportation system are discussed in the single heading circulation pattern. To disseminate
geographic knowledge about the kingdom, it is regarded as pioneering article by Nepalese
geographers.
4 Harka Gurung’s Contribution in Nepal Geographical Society and Its Publications

Table 2. Contributions of Harka Gurung in “The Himalayan Review”

S.N Title of the Articles Volume Year Page Covered
Research Articles
1. Geographic foundation of Nepal I 1968 1-10
2. Geomorphology of Pokhara Valley II-III 1969-70 29-57
3. Pokhara Valley II-III 1969-70 16-27
4. Landscape Pattern of Nepal IV 1971 1-10
5. Distribution and Mobility of Graduates
in Nepal V 1972 36-60
6. The Himalayan review: A Perspective XII 1980 44-52
7. Population Change in Nepal (1971-1981) XIII 1981 1-18
8. Landscape Processes in Chure Range, 1-39
Central Nepal XVII-XIX 1986-88 (Jt. Author)
9. Developing Lumbini as Pilgrimage
Centre of Peace XXIX 1998 97-111
10. Pattern of Elevation range in Nepal XXXIV 2003 11-16
Review Articles
11. Karan, P.P. & Jenkins, W. M. 1960. Nepal:
A Physical and Cultural Geography.
USA: University of Kentucky, Lexington. I 1968 78-80
12. Hagen,T. 1961. Nepal: The Kingdom in
the Himalayas. France: Kummerly and
Frey, Berne. I 1968 80-82
13. Snellgrove, D.L.1961. Himalayan
Pilgrimage: A Study of Tibetan
Religion. Oxford: Bruno Cassirer. I 1968 82-83
14. Bista, D.B. 1967. Peoples of Nepal.
Kathmandu: HMG., Department of Publicity I 1968 83-85
15. HMG/DOP. 1966. Nepal in Maps.
Kathmandu: His Majesty’s Governmant of
Nepal (HMG), Department of Publicity. I 1968 85-86
16. Siurikawa,Y. 1971. Himalayas. New York:
Harry, N. Abrams Inc. VII 1975 43-44
Gurung’s Book Reviewed
17. Gurung, H. 1969. Annapurna to Dhaulagiri:
A Decade of Mountaineering in Nepal
Himalaya (1950-1960) Kathmandu: HMG.,
Ministry of Information, reviewed by J.O.M.R. II-III 1969-70 40-42
18. Gurung, H. 1980.Vignettes of Nepal.
Kathmandu: Sajha Prakashan, reviewed
by Chakramahr Bajracharya. XII 1980 87-90
Note: Jt. means joint author.
 Padma Chandra Poudel 5

Geomorphology of Pokhara Valley and Pokhara Valley are the second and third article of
Harka Gurung published in The Himalayan Review. Among these the succeeding article is
supplement to 21st IGU, Nepal Tour, participated by 46 geographers from 12 countries.
Nepal Tour was organized by NGS as post-congress field study meeting of the International
Geographical Congress held in Delhi (1st-8th, December, 1968). It was the first geographical
congress in Asia, which was attended by about 1300 geographers from 71 countries of the
world (Vajracharya, 1969:70). The paper Geomorphology of Pokhara Valley was derived
from Gurung’s doctoral dissertation on “Pokhara Valley: A Field Study in Regional
Geography” submitted to University of Edinburgh in 1965 (Gurung, 1968-70:29). This
article discusses geographical landscape of Pokhara Valley in perspective of highland and
Pokhara Plain. While discussing the landscape of Pokhara Valley Gurung writes “the region
south of Annapurna Himal presents one of the sharpest contrasts in landscape. Dissected
rugged hills are typical in the mountainous terrain and the individuality of 48 mile2 plain is
accentuated by three-quarters of highland relief. Nature of immediate highlands, their
morphometric analysis and the process of plain formation is discussed with theoretical
base. In this article Gurung clearly disagrees the basis of lacustrine formation idea of Hagen
and extra regional alluvial or glacio-fluvial deposition concept of Glennie and Ziegler and
presents strong theoretical basis for the formation of Pokhara plain. He considers climatic
changes and gravel deposits as a legacy of a peri-glacial past. These discussions are
supported with three maps and three photographs. Gurung’s academic in-depth and
theoretical strength in analyzing geomorphological processes is clearly reflected in this article.

The article entitled “Pokhara Valley” is the third contribution of Gurung’s in The Himalayan
Review. In this article discussion follows systematic approach of analysis – location, structure,
geomorphology, hydrology, climate, vegetation, soils, in physical aspects and population,
health and education, cultural, settlement, circulation, agriculture, livestock, industry and
land-use in human aspects followed by conclusion and recent development. Relating physical
and socio-cultural aspects Gurung writes “though humid and malarial conditions conspired
to make the lowest elevation (bensi) less favourable for permanent occupation, the
subsequent movement of population to the ‘bensi’ level was forced by the decrease of
man/land ratio in the hills with increased population, and the trend has been accelerated
recently by the extensive programme of malaria eradication. Technological innovations and
central function of Pokhara Town has further enhanced the importance of the plain for
hospitality. The completion of 128 kilometer Sunauli-Pokhara (Siddhartha) highway, and
200 kilometer Pokhara-Kathmandu (Prithwi) Highway, initiates far reaching transformations
in the economy of the region” (Gurung, 1969-70:22-23).

Landscape pattern of Nepal is the next article of Gurung published in the journal of Nepal
Geographical Society. This study introduces landscape pattern of Nepal in seven sub-
units, untitled, and numbered only in Roman numerals. Discussion in the article began with
landscape pattern of Churia Range followed by Pahar Zone, Trans Himalayan (Bhot)
6 Harka Gurung’s Contribution in Nepal Geographical Society and Its Publications

Valleys and Main Himalaya. In latter part of the article, analysing landscape pattern on the
basis of drainage system Gurung presents his academic argument based on plate tectonic
theory in explaining the formation of young fold mountain, Churia Range, and how its
formation is linked with the great Himalaya and Siwalik. He argues that mountain landscape
is not only barrier but also opportunity and writes “the mountain ranges do act as natural
barriers among the various regions of the country but the rivers traversing down the mountain
to the plain not only shape the landscape but also articulate circulation of man, materials
and ideas. It is not without significance that the Nepalese defy the imposing mountains that
divide them and sanctify the fertile rivers that unite them” (Gurung, 1971:10).

In the succeeding article Gurung has changed the theme of writings from physical (continuous
from 1st to 4th) to social geography “Distribution and Mobility of Graduates in Nepal”. In
absence of regular inventory and up to date list of graduates, the study assumes that ten per
cent graduates failed to register in the voter list of 1971 National Panchayat election.
Therefore, it estimates the number of graduates to be around 10,887 and discusses
distribution by geographical region and subject. Mobility of the graduates is analysed by
metropolitan hinterland, flow, employment in different offices and development institutions
like education and health. Reflecting the distribution and mobility of graduates Gurung writes
“over 60 per cent of graduates are reported in Kathmandu Valley. Of the total, the capital
region claims that 77 per cent engineers followed by 73 per cent general science, 72 per
cent commerce, 67 per cent law, 81 per cent education, 59 per cent medicals, 54 per cent
liberal arts, 45 per cent agriculture, and 33 per cent veterinary graduates. Out of the total
39 Ph. D’s only two are working outside the capital region”. The study is supported by nine
tables and 12 maps. Table nine is extended to the span of four pages and maps exceed
double page size of the journal.

In 1980 Gurung reviewed The Himalayan Review published during first decade (1968-
1979) entitling the article as “The Himalayan Review: A Perspective”. It attempts to review
the progress and content of The Himalayan Review, during its first decade of publication.
In this critically reviewing the journal Gurung has written “the journal was appropriately
titled. Its regular publication must be considered a noteworthy effort in the light of mortality
and morbidity of most professional journals in Nepal”. Analysing shape and size, contributors,
content by theme and area, classification by aspect, Gurung write a suggestive note. He
wished The Himalayan Review be perfect in physical quality and balance in published
research articles both in theme, coverage of different regions of the country. The section on
book review should be considerably expanded. In his own words “the size and format
should be kept uniform and the journal has over represented Kathmandu Valley while other
larger regions have been neglected. This situation needs to be rectified by publishing more
articles of other areas”. Subedi and Poudel (2002) reviewing the journal in 2002 appreciating
Gurung idea write “after two decades since this article was published, it appears that the
statement of Gurung still holds’. In this article Gurung initiates Nepalese geographers to
 Padma Chandra Poudel 7

contribute in missing themes such as water resources, environmental stress, land use change,
population dynamics and air transportation (Gurung, 1980).

Population change in Nepal (1971-1981) is the seventh article of Dr. Harka Gurung
embodied in The Himalayan Review. This study considers change in district boundary as
the important factor for population change in Nepal. On the basis of census data of 1971-
1981, the study analyses absolute and percentile change by district and development regions.
The east-west aspect is examined on the basis of three major river basins and north south
by ecological regions and geographical component with the support of three maps, one
figure and six tables. Analyzing population change of Nepal by geographical regions Gurung
points out that “population increase was most pronounced in the eastern and western parts
of Terai region followed by Inner Terai districts and some hill districts, with extensive low
valleys. Population increases in most of the hill districts have moderate where as mountain
region have marginal increase”. (Gurung,1981:14).

The 8th article of Gurung’s published in the journal is “Landscape Change in Churia Range:
Central Nepal” in joint authorship. It is the lengthiest article of The Himalayan Review
published from 1968-2005. Out of the total eighty pages of volume XVII-XXIX this article
covers 48.8 percent of the journal. It has analysed geomorphic processes, prevalent land
forms and land-use of four sample localities covering an area of 387 mile2. Under physical
aspects geology, climate, vegetation, drainage network, drainage basin morphometry, erosion
processes, and depositional forms are discussed. Similarly, settlement, resource use and
perception and land use are discussed under human aspects. Four figures, seven maps, five
photographs and ten tables have supported the analysis of the study. On the basis of the
study the writers suggest that in the mountainous country Nepal there is need for a more in-
depth study based on at least one year investigation with sufficient financial support and
necessary scientific equipments.

After a decade Gurung’s again has contributed an article in “The Himalayan Review”
focusing on pilgrimage tourism and concerned development planning. This article is entitled
as “Developing Lumbini as Pilgrimage Centre of Peace”. It is a revised version of the
keynote addressed given at World Buddhist Summit, held at Lumbini during 30th Nov.2nd
Dec.1998. In the preceding section the article deals with the setting, historical and
archeological overview of Lumbini, and in the succeeding section review of development
efforts, donor contribution and aspects towards fulfillment have been discussed. Gurung
attempts to draw attention to the importance of Lumbini and writes” over two millennia
age, the plain around Lumbini harbored a rich civilization. There should be many more sites
lying underground beyond our ken. Monuments and materials have become victims of
political turbulence and natural ravages. The ideas and philosophy profounded by Buddha,
son of that soil is now central to belief of a major portion of the mankind. However, developing
Lumbini as a place of pilgrimage and peace is indeed a challenge. The fulfillment of this
8 Harka Gurung’s Contribution in Nepal Geographical Society and Its Publications

novel endeavor should consider some practical measures like review, necessary modification,
judicious phasing of development activities and follow-up of the archaeological work. But
commitment, co-operation and mobilization are the pre-conditions” (Gurung, 1998:110).
Four tables and a map included in the article have notably supported to draw the attention
of the readers.

Pattern of elevation range in Nepal in the last article of Harka Gurung published in The
Himalayan Review. In this research article pattern of elevation levels are described in two
perspectives longitudinal (north-south) and latitudinal (east-west) and two hierarchies’
regional level and district level. The study analyses elevation ranges of all 75 districts of
Nepal, dividing elevation into seven different ranges at an interval of 500 meter with minimum
and maximum level below 500m and over 6,000m. Four tables in the text and two tables
as annex and one map have made the article more analytical and interesting.

Review Articles

There exists co-incidence that the research article and review article contributed by Dr.
Harka Gurung in The Himalayan Review follows almost the same type of sequence by
nature of subject. He contributed half a dozen review articles, of which five are embodied
in the first volume of the journal. Most of the books he reviewed are related to physical
aspects of geography of Nepal written by the foreign writers (Table 2).

‘Nepal: A Physical and Cultural Geography’ written by Karan and Jenkins is the first book
reviewed by Gurung. He might have given this priority to review this book because it was
the first comprehensive geography of Nepal based on reconnaissance and land-use aerial
survey of the country. Critically reviewing the book Gurung has pointed out that the book
contains numerous statements that are either over-generalizations or factual errors or ill
founded mainly in the analysis of northern boundary and climate of the country. He writes
land form characteristics have not been fully dealt with. Folding maps are wrongly grided.
It does not represent administrative units and fails to describe cultural matrix, ethnographic
and linguistic zone reliably. This book provides a good chapter on population. These
expressions of Gurung’s amply reflect his commanding knowledge on different geographical
aspects of Nepal. Though the review includes several weakness of the writers but in the
succeeding section of the article Gurung appreciates the book as “If there are inadequacies
in the book, these are obvious in a pioneer work on a complex area. The high standard of
cartography and a bibliography over 235 items are the main assets of the book” (Gurung,
1968:80).

The second review is on the book ‘Nepal’ which was written by Toni Hagen, on the basis
of extensive travel as geologist that presents the best introduction to Nepal. Gurung
comments Hagen on physical aspects like orogenesis, climate and vegetational characteristics.
 Padma Chandra Poudel 9

He further appreciates the author about economic development and highly selective
photographs that covers diverse aspects of the country. This indicates Gurung’s in-depth
knowledge in physical aspects of the country and interest using photography as a tool of
geographers. He writes “the book is well-conceived and remains the best introduction to
Nepal” (Gurung, 1968:80).

The next book review contributed by Harka Gurung in “The Himalayan Review” is
Himalayan Pilgrimage authored by Snellgrove (1961). The book is the out come of the
author’s extensive travel through the trans-Himalayan region of Nepal over 17,000 feet in
altitude and interest in Tibetan Buddhism. Reviewer appreciates the author for the
classification and analysis of shrine, Gompas and place names. Gurung writes that Snellgrove
fails in specifying particular settlement located at higher altitudes though the author cogently
stresses the unity of diverse cultures in Nepal (Gurung, 1968).

Comprehensive mosaic of the diverse elements that make-up the Nepalese society reflected
in the book entitled “Peoples of Nepal” written by Bista in 1967 is the next review of
Harka Gurung in The Himalayan Review (Table 2). Dividing the country into three parts
by geographic characteristics, the book discusses the various tribal, caste and local groups
within a broad frame-work. Reviewer has put his very low voice on comments of the
book. Gurung praising Bista writes ‘the author has done a praiseworthy job of collecting
to much material and introducing people and society of Nepal and succeeds in drawing a
bold relief of the main features’.

Gurung has reviewed the book Nepal in Maps, published by Department of publicity,
HMG, in 1966 (Table 2) that contains 26 maps dealing with physical, cultural and economic
aspects of the country. Twenty five tables in the book show comparative progress of Nepal.
Carefully reviewing the book Gurung expresses his view that the book might be taken as an
authoritative reference work which it is not because most of the maps bear no scale, boundary
shown in the map are not authoritative, physical map is misleading by its tone value, land-
use map is over simplified, place names are misspelled, rivers alignment are not proper,
rainfall, population, economic, transport maps does not tally to the data. Therefore, these
obvious errors must be carefully edited to regard its authoritative reference.

A photographic book entitled Himalayas authored by Yoshikazu Shirakawa (Table 2) that

contains 119 photographs (91 colours and weigh 5.4 kg) and four maps was reviewed by
Gurung in volume VII of The Himalayan Review. The photographs of the book include
Nepal Himalayas (54), Punjab Himalaya (18), Sikkim Himalayas (31), and Hindu Kush
Range (16), taken during author’s trek to the Himalayas. Gurung reviewing the book writes
“apart from minor errors in place names and date the book succeeds well in conveying the
magnitude and mood of the Himalayas. To the average readers the price of the book US$
100 is as stupendous as the mountain themselves.
10 Harka Gurung’s Contribution in Nepal Geographical Society and Its Publications

Gurung’s Books Reviewed

Numbers of books contributed by Dr. Harka Gurung have been published. However, only
two books have been reviewed in The Himalayan Review. The first book Vignettes of
Nepal (Gurung, 1980) published by Sajha Prakashan was reviewed by Chakramehr
Bajracharya in 1980. The reviewer writes “this book has filled rarity of perceptive travel
account in Nepali geographic literature”. The book is extended in the span of 435 pages
and twenty chapters with 11 colour and 14 black and white photo plates, bibliography,
glossary and index. Regarding the book Bajracharya prefer to write “the book is not merely
a travel account as travel accounts go, but a perceptive exercise in diverse geographical,
social, economic and developmental manifestations of Nepal whose chapters are organized
geographically from west to the east”. He writes the book introduces to the readers a wide
range of environmental conditions, type of vegetation, land-use, exotic scenic attraction
between tropical plain and the alpine height of Nepal.

Gurung’s book on “Annapurna to Dhaulagiri: A Decade of Mountaineering in Nepal Himalaya

(1950-1960) was reviewed by J.O.M.R. in volume II-III of The Himalayan Review
(Table 2). Regarding the book the reviewer writes “this little book is basically a concise
history of mountaineering in Nepal and is especially welcome at this time, co-inciding as it
does with the publication of HMG’s regulations for mountaineering in Nepal and the opening
of the mountains after a lapse of three years to foreign expeditions. The book is well produced
and printed, with few miss-prints and poor printing of black and white photographs. Reviewer
has made correction of wrong date of expedition team leader and route in the sprit of
segmentation rather than criticism. Reviewer appreciates and writes “the book is a tribute
to Dr. Harka Gurung that on the one hand his book should encourage such careful
consideration, and on the other that this same examination should reveal so few errors and
minor in accuracies”.

Gurung in Other Publications of Nepal Geographical Society

In 2002 NGS published a book entitled “Pokhara Valley: A Geographical Survey” written
by Dr. Harka Gurung based on his Ph. D. thesis submitted to university of Edinburgh,
Scotland in 1965. This research was undertaken as a Colombo Plan scholar of HMG
under the supervision of Dr. Arthur Geddes. The book is published in the span of 97 pages
the book includes 7 chapters, 16 tables, 10 photos plates ( 8 colour and 2 black white), 36
maps and diagrams. It is soft covered and costs NRS 300.

This book covers various physical aspects such as structure, relief, drainage, climate, bio-
geography and soils. Similarly various cultural and economic aspects such as cultural area,
settlement, population, growth of Pokhara town and land-use of Pokhara Valley has been
systematically analysed and synthesized. Major portion of the book was published in two
 Padma Chandra Poudel 11

articles of The Himalayan Reviewvol II-III. Half of the text of the book is already included
in these articles. The photographs maps, and detail tables have made the book more
interesting and proved Gurung’s versatile nature and capacity of geographical inquiry,
interpretation, theoretical explanation and factual presentation. Therefore, it deserves
importance though the writings was prepared and submitted for academic degree before
36 year of the publication in the book form. Gurung has shown unforgettable affection to
the Nepal Geographical Society providing the opportunity of publishing the book without
any investment and efforts. Therefore, Prof. Malla president of NGS has written in the
foreword of the book “his assurance of a certain percentage of the sales proceeds to NGS
is highly appreciated”.

Mountain environment and landscape change (Table 2) is the latest article of Harka Gurung
published by NGS. This article is the key note address delivered by Gurung in a national
gathering of Nepalese geographers organized by NGS in Pokahara during 4-5 Jan. 2004.
Dividing the speech into four sub-topics- what is mountain?, terminological traverse,
conceptual clarification and landscape change Gurung not only sets the theme of the
conference but also exemplifies the spatio-temporal dimensions that geographers should
focus upon considering Nepal’s environmental and social diversity. Using repeated
photographs of Taranche, Lamjung (his birth place) for 40 years span (1962-2002) he
clearly demonstrate how the changing landscape in central hill of Nepal is the out come of
the interplay between natural and cultural processes in which the former remains dominant
even if the latter seems more apparent (Gurung, 2005:17).

To Conclude

Dr. Harka Gurung has become immortal by his academic contribution to the nation, Nepal
Geographical Society, its journal and other publications. His contribution of research and
review articles in diverse and multitfarious fields of geographic studies clearly provides
academic awareness and direction to the Nepalese geographers and their publications.
However, the study and analysis of physical aspects of geography have been his main
interest of thrust in the publication of NGS. Dr. Gurung’s earliest (1968) and the latest
(2003) research articles embodied in the publication of NGS are both focused on physical
geography. Even in review articles he has given more focus on physical geography.
Comparatively though little in number, his writings on socio-cultural aspects of geography
also covers diverse fields. These works of Dr. Gurung’s and straight forward writing and
viewing mountains and natural diversity as resources are equally noteworthy for making
academic awareness of both professional researchers and vocational in general and
geographers in particular. Therefore, Gurung’s contribution in the publication of NGS have
been perennial source of inspiration to students, researchers and others who are interested
in geography and social and developmental issues of Nepal.
12 Harka Gurung’s Contribution in Nepal Geographical Society and Its Publications

The demise of Dr. Gurung in a Helicopter accident on 23rd September 2006 (7th Aswin,
2063) at Ghunsa (Taplejung Distrtict, Eastern Nepal) has been irrecoverable loss to the
Nepal Geographical Society, Nepalese Geographers and the nation.

References
Bista, D.B., 1967. Peoples of Nepal. Kathmandu: HMG., Department of Publicity
Gurung Harka 1968. Geographic foundation of Nepal. The Himalayan Review. Vol.I:1-10.
—–1969. Annapurna to Dhaulagiri:A Decade of Mountaineeering in Nepal Himalaya
(1950-1960) Kathmandu: HMG.,Ministry of Information.
—–1969-70. Pokhara Valley. The Himalayan Review. Vol. II-III: 16-23.
—–1969-70. Geomorphology of Pokhara Valley. The Himalayan Review. Vol. II-III: 29-57.
—–1971. Landscape pattern of Nepal. The Himalayan Review. Vol. IV: 1-10.
—–1972. Distribution and mobility of graduates in Nepal The Himalayan Review. Vol. II-
III: 29-57.
—–1980.Vignettes of Nepal. Kathmandu: Sajha Prakashan.

—–1980. The Himalayan Review: A perspective. The Himalayan Review. Vol. XII: 44-52.
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