Situating the science of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) in Nepal for policy and planning

Abstract

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) emphasises the necessity for “more science” in advancing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR); however, this initiative often falters in developing countries. This paper utilises a situated knowledge framework from feminist science studies to analyse the knowledge institutionalisation pathways of two Scientific Administrative Organisations (SAOs) in Nepal: the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM) and the Department of Mines and Geology (DMG). These organisations are pivotal in generating knowledge advisories for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM). Our findings indicate that knowledge production processes within these institutions are profoundly shaped by their contextual realities. Notably, the understanding of what constitutes “science” for DRR is influenced by the vision and mission statements of the SAOs, which are further informed by national mandates. The study also reveals entrenched knowledge hierarchies and power dynamics that elevate hazard research to “core science,” while relegating social science-based risk assessments to a secondary role. By examining these SAOs, we highlight how SAOs operational context complicates the straightforward demand for “more science”. To address these challenges, we argue for greater visibility of the operational context of these SAOs and emphasise the need to reassess their positioning within the DRR landscape to meet the evolving expectations for risk-based scientific advisories.