Latest news with #Pariyar
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Eyes In The Sky: Using Drones To Safeguard Our Forests
Press Release – University of Canterbury Using drone-mounted light detection and ranging (LiDAR) & multispectral sensors, and high-resolution satellite imagery from trial sites across Marlborough & North Canterbury, he is developing a new model to detect & quantify the spatial extent, … UC researchers are using drones and satellite remote sensing to track the health of eucalyptus trees from above and protect the future of New Zealand's plantation forests. Originally from Nepal, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) PhD candidate Shiva Pariyar is breaking new ground with remote sensing research that could help reduce economic and environmental losses caused by pest damage in non-native eucalyptus species. 'In New Zealand, plantation forestry is dominated by Pinus radiata (pine), which needs chemical treatment to make the timber durable,' Pariyar explains. 'To avoid the environmental risks of chemicals leaching into the soil and water, New Zealand Dryland Forest Innovation (NZDFI) has introduced naturally durable eucalyptus species as a more sustainable alternative.' However, these eucalyptus trees, imported from Australia, are vulnerable to paropsine beetles, also known as leaf-chewing beetles, and other pests. 'Leaves are the most important part of the tree. Damage or defoliation significantly reduces the tree's ability to photosynthesise, affecting their growth and forest productivity.' One of his supervisors, Associate Professor Steve Pawson, says New Zealand cultivates over 15,000 hectares of eucalyptus, with the impact of paropsine beetles varying widely depending on the severity of the attack and the type of eucalypt production system. 'Potential yield loss is estimated at $10 million per year, with control costs currently estimated at $1 to $2.6 million,' he says. Using drone-mounted light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and multispectral sensors, and high-resolution satellite imagery from trial sites across Marlborough and North Canterbury, he is developing a new model to detect and quantify the spatial extent, intensity, frequency and timing of eucalyptus defoliation both at the individual tree-level and across entire landscapes. 'Human eyes can't always pick up subtle changes in canopy greenness or stress levels, but the technology we use can. Ground-based measurements are costly, time-consuming, labour intensive and often impractical in remote or dangerous environments. 'Without timely and accurate information, forest managers are unable to respond to insect outbreaks effectively that may cause long-term ecological and economic damage. My research outcome supports forest managers and policy makers to take both proactive and reactive measures to improve forest health and vitality of eucalyptus plantation.' His research supports the expansion of targeted plantations of 100,000 hectares of naturally durable eucalyptus in New Zealand by 2050. 'If the trial is successful,' says Pariyar, 'this model could be used not just here but globally—wherever eucalyptus is planted as a sustainable alternative to chemically treated pine. 'I wanted to build on my skills in the field of remote sensing and technology. And luckily, I found this opportunity at UC to explore and expand my theoretical knowledge and practical understanding including recent technologies. 'UC has given me all the facilities that I need, including learning how to operate drones. Now I can prepare flight plans, fly drones and analyse data for future use.' Pariyar is currently participating in the Research Student Showcase, an annual event for postgraduate students that offers valuable training workshops, great prizes, and the opportunity to present their research to a broader audience. His project is supported by the UC Doctoral Scholarship, NZDFI, and the School of Forestry, with supervision from Dr Vega Xu, Associate Professor Steve Pawson, Professor Justin Morgenroth, and Dr Ning Ye at UC's School of Forestry.
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Eyes In The Sky: Using Drones To Safeguard Our Forests
Press Release – University of Canterbury Using drone-mounted light detection and ranging (LiDAR) & multispectral sensors, and high-resolution satellite imagery from trial sites across Marlborough & North Canterbury, he is developing a new model to detect & quantify the spatial extent, … UC researchers are using drones and satellite remote sensing to track the health of eucalyptus trees from above and protect the future of New Zealand's plantation forests. Originally from Nepal, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) PhD candidate Shiva Pariyar is breaking new ground with remote sensing research that could help reduce economic and environmental losses caused by pest damage in non-native eucalyptus species. 'In New Zealand, plantation forestry is dominated by Pinus radiata (pine), which needs chemical treatment to make the timber durable,' Pariyar explains. 'To avoid the environmental risks of chemicals leaching into the soil and water, New Zealand Dryland Forest Innovation (NZDFI) has introduced naturally durable eucalyptus species as a more sustainable alternative.' However, these eucalyptus trees, imported from Australia, are vulnerable to paropsine beetles, also known as leaf-chewing beetles, and other pests. 'Leaves are the most important part of the tree. Damage or defoliation significantly reduces the tree's ability to photosynthesise, affecting their growth and forest productivity.' One of his supervisors, Associate Professor Steve Pawson, says New Zealand cultivates over 15,000 hectares of eucalyptus, with the impact of paropsine beetles varying widely depending on the severity of the attack and the type of eucalypt production system. 'Potential yield loss is estimated at $10 million per year, with control costs currently estimated at $1 to $2.6 million,' he says. Using drone-mounted light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and multispectral sensors, and high-resolution satellite imagery from trial sites across Marlborough and North Canterbury, he is developing a new model to detect and quantify the spatial extent, intensity, frequency and timing of eucalyptus defoliation both at the individual tree-level and across entire landscapes. 'Human eyes can't always pick up subtle changes in canopy greenness or stress levels, but the technology we use can. Ground-based measurements are costly, time-consuming, labour intensive and often impractical in remote or dangerous environments. 'Without timely and accurate information, forest managers are unable to respond to insect outbreaks effectively that may cause long-term ecological and economic damage. My research outcome supports forest managers and policy makers to take both proactive and reactive measures to improve forest health and vitality of eucalyptus plantation.' His research supports the expansion of targeted plantations of 100,000 hectares of naturally durable eucalyptus in New Zealand by 2050. 'If the trial is successful,' says Pariyar, 'this model could be used not just here but globally—wherever eucalyptus is planted as a sustainable alternative to chemically treated pine. 'I wanted to build on my skills in the field of remote sensing and technology. And luckily, I found this opportunity at UC to explore and expand my theoretical knowledge and practical understanding including recent technologies. 'UC has given me all the facilities that I need, including learning how to operate drones. Now I can prepare flight plans, fly drones and analyse data for future use.' Pariyar is currently participating in the Research Student Showcase, an annual event for postgraduate students that offers valuable training workshops, great prizes, and the opportunity to present their research to a broader audience. His project is supported by the UC Doctoral Scholarship, NZDFI, and the School of Forestry, with supervision from Dr Vega Xu, Associate Professor Steve Pawson, Professor Justin Morgenroth, and Dr Ning Ye at UC's School of Forestry.
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Eyes In The Sky: Using Drones To Safeguard Our Forests
UC researchers are using drones and satellite remote sensing to track the health of eucalyptus trees from above and protect the future of New Zealand's plantation forests. Originally from Nepal, Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) PhD candidate Shiva Pariyar is breaking new ground with remote sensing research that could help reduce economic and environmental losses caused by pest damage in non-native eucalyptus species. 'In New Zealand, plantation forestry is dominated by Pinus radiata (pine), which needs chemical treatment to make the timber durable,' Pariyar explains. 'To avoid the environmental risks of chemicals leaching into the soil and water, New Zealand Dryland Forest Innovation (NZDFI) has introduced naturally durable eucalyptus species as a more sustainable alternative.' However, these eucalyptus trees, imported from Australia, are vulnerable to paropsine beetles, also known as leaf-chewing beetles, and other pests. 'Leaves are the most important part of the tree. Damage or defoliation significantly reduces the tree's ability to photosynthesise, affecting their growth and forest productivity.' One of his supervisors, Associate Professor Steve Pawson, says New Zealand cultivates over 15,000 hectares of eucalyptus, with the impact of paropsine beetles varying widely depending on the severity of the attack and the type of eucalypt production system. 'Potential yield loss is estimated at $10 million per year, with control costs currently estimated at $1 to $2.6 million,' he says. Using drone-mounted light detection and ranging (LiDAR) and multispectral sensors, and high-resolution satellite imagery from trial sites across Marlborough and North Canterbury, he is developing a new model to detect and quantify the spatial extent, intensity, frequency and timing of eucalyptus defoliation both at the individual tree-level and across entire landscapes. 'Human eyes can't always pick up subtle changes in canopy greenness or stress levels, but the technology we use can. Ground-based measurements are costly, time-consuming, labour intensive and often impractical in remote or dangerous environments. 'Without timely and accurate information, forest managers are unable to respond to insect outbreaks effectively that may cause long-term ecological and economic damage. My research outcome supports forest managers and policy makers to take both proactive and reactive measures to improve forest health and vitality of eucalyptus plantation.' His research supports the expansion of targeted plantations of 100,000 hectares of naturally durable eucalyptus in New Zealand by 2050. 'If the trial is successful,' says Pariyar, 'this model could be used not just here but globally—wherever eucalyptus is planted as a sustainable alternative to chemically treated pine. 'I wanted to build on my skills in the field of remote sensing and technology. And luckily, I found this opportunity at UC to explore and expand my theoretical knowledge and practical understanding including recent technologies. 'UC has given me all the facilities that I need, including learning how to operate drones. Now I can prepare flight plans, fly drones and analyse data for future use.' Pariyar is currently participating in the Research Student Showcase, an annual event for postgraduate students that offers valuable training workshops, great prizes, and the opportunity to present their research to a broader audience. His project is supported by the UC Doctoral Scholarship, NZDFI, and the School of Forestry, with supervision from Dr Vega Xu, Associate Professor Steve Pawson, Professor Justin Morgenroth, and Dr Ning Ye at UC's School of Forestry.
The Star
25-04-2025
- General
- The Star
A sisterhood forged from pain and loss
Unbreakable bond: Tamang (right) and Pariyar interacting in their classroom in Lalitpur, Nepal. The girls have just finished the national high school exams and are planning their future. — AP The devastating 2015 Nepal earthquake that killed thousands changed the lives of many in the Himalayan nation. But it was the beginning of a friendship for two girls who each lost a leg in the tremor. Nirmala Pariyar and Khendo Tamang were seven and eight years old when they met at the hospital in Kathmandu after they were brought there for treatment. Both were injured during the April 25, 2015, earthquake, which damaged more than one million houses and buildings in Nepal. They shared the same hospital bed and supported each other. They went on to attend the same boarding school. 'Our friendship is still strong and she has been my biggest support even during the times when I am away from family,' said Pariyar. Khendo Tamang, left, and Nirmala Pariyar try out their prosthetic legs for the first time at a rehabilitation center in Kathmandu, Nepal. 'When I sometimes miss my family and cry, she is always there for me. 'She has been not just a friend but like my own sister.' Pariyar was pinned under a fallen metal gate and concrete wall after the quake. She was pulled out when people passing by saw her hair, and was transported to the hospital. 'I was unconscious but I was told that one of my legs was barely attached to my body. They put the leg in a cardboard box and took me to hospital,' she said. She regained consciousness at the hospital a week after the earthquake. A few days later she met Tamang, who was brought in from her village east of the capital, Kathmandu. It has taken months of surgery and rehabilitation to get them walking and performing everyday tasks. Both girls have been fitted with prosthetic legs, and often have to visit the disability rehabilitation centre to get readjustments. Both girls, now in their teenage years, have just finished the national high school exams and are planning their future. Pariyar is considering majoring in science in junior college because that promises better prospects – but in her heart she wants to be a singer. Ten years after the devastating earthquake, most of the buildings and houses that were damaged have been rebuilt. Schools and public buildings have been built to better safety standards. Earthquakes are common in Nepal, which is covered mostly by mountain terrain and home to most of the highest peaks in the world. — AP
San Francisco Chronicle
25-04-2025
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
2 girls survived Nepal's 2015 earthquake. Each lost a leg, but found friendship in the hospital
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — The devastating 2015 Nepal earthquake that killed thousands changed the lives of many in the Himalayan nation. But it was the beginning of a friendship for two girls who each lost a leg in the tremor. Nirmala Pariyar and Khendo Tamang were 7 and 8 years old when they met at the hospital in Kathmandu after they were brought there for treatment. Both were injured during the April 25, 2015, earthquake, which damaged more than 1 million houses and buildings in Nepal. They shared the same hospital bed and supported each other. They went on to attend the same boarding school. 'Our friendship is still strong and she has been my biggest support even during the times when I am away from family,' Pariyar told The Associated Press. 'When I sometime miss my family and cry she is always there for me," she added. 'She has been not just a friend but like my own sister to me." Pariyar was pinned under a fallen metal gate and concrete wall after the quake. She was pulled out when people passing by saw her hair, and was transported to the hospital. 'I was unconscious but I was told that one of my legs was barely attached to my body. They put the leg in a cardboard box and took me to hospital,' she said. She regained consciousness at the hospital a week after the earthquake. A few days later she met Tamang, who was brought in from her village east of the capital, Kathmandu. It has taken months of surgery and rehabilitation to get them walking and performing everyday tasks. Both girls have been fitted with prosthetic legs, and often have to visit the disability rehabilitation center to get readjustments. Both girls, now in their teenage years, have just finished the national high school exams and are planning their future. Pariyar is considering majoring in science in junior college because that promises better prospects — but in her heart she wants to be a singer. Ten years after the devastating earthquake, most of the buildings and houses that were damaged have been rebuilt. Schools and public buildings have been built to better safety standards.
