Journal of Development Innovations

Geological Mapping with Emphasis on Sedimentary Structures Around Rukumkot and Naigad Area in Rukum (East), Western Nepal

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Lesser Himalaya constitutes a critical tectono-sedimentary domain within the Himalayan orogenic system, preserving a prolonged record of sedimentation, basin evolution, and deformation related to India–Eurasia convergence. Detailed analyses of lithostratigraphy and sedimentary structures within this region are essential for reconstructing depositional environments and understanding the coupling between sedimentation and tectonism through geological time.Despite extensive regional stratigraphic and structural investigations in western Nepal, formation-scale documentation of sedimentary structures and their paleoenvironmental significance remains limited in the Rukumkot–Naigad area.This study aims to address this gap by undertaking detailed geological mapping and systematic sedimentological analysis to characterize lithostratigraphic units, sedimentary structures, and depositional environments within the Lesser Himalayan succession of the Rukumkot–Naigad region, western Nepal.Geological mapping at a scale of 1:25,000 was integrated with comprehensive field based lithological descriptions and analysis of primary sedimentary structures across seven Lesser Himalayan formations and one Higher Himalayan unit. Observed structures including stromatolites, ripple marks, mud cracks, flute casts, intraclast breccia, and cross-bedding indicate depositional environments ranging from deep to shallow marine and marginal fluvial settings, consistent with foreland basin sedimentation subsequently modified by progressive Himalayan thrusting and folding. Overall, this study refines the stratigraphic framework of the Rukumkot–Naigad area and advances understanding of Lesser Himalayan basin evolution.

Petrographic Study, Mode of Occurrence and Tectonic Setting of the Palung Granite, Lesser Himalaya, Central Nepal

Arjun Bhattarai, Kabi Raj Paudyal, Lalu Prasad Paudel, Harel Thomas — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Palung granite located in Central Nepal exhibits significant mineralogical, textural, and structural variations. Detailed field mapping, petrographic analysis, and modal mineralogy and their composition helped to identify five distinct zones in this pluton, reflecting progressive magmatic differentiation and tectonic overprinting. The more deformed southern part compared to the northern part shows gneissic texture. Geochemical data plotted on the tectonic discrimination diagrams show a consistent and coherent pattern. The K₂O-SiO₂plot shows the potassium enrichment typical of evolved felsic magmas, suggesting significant crustal involvement during magma generation. The sample cluster trends in the Al₂O₃-SiO₂ diagram show felsic to intermediate crustal sources rather than the purely mantle-derived magmas. The fractionated felsic granites are observed in the FeOᵗ/(FeOᵗ + MgO) versus SiO₂ diagram. Likewise, F/FM versus M/AFM and F/CF versus C/ACF helped to identify that the Palung granite mainly originated in the continental collision (CCG). The granite samples plotted in the A/CNK versus A/NK diagram show that most of the samples are weakly to moderately peraluminous, with A/CNK values commonly exceeding 1.0, belonging to metasedimentary or felsic crustal source materials. Petrological and chemical evidence, and field study suggest that the Palung granite crystallized at moderate to shallow crustal levels, likely within the upper to mid-crustal depth.

A Study on Occupational Health and Safety Practices in the Construction of Multistoried Buildings in Nepal: A Case Study of Kathmandu, Nepal

Prakash Chandra Acharya , Kabi Raj Paudyal — Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study demonstrates that most construction sites in the Kathmandu City have not fully implemented safety plans. Hazardous areas often lack warning signs, and the use of personal protective equipment by workers is inconsistent. Roles and responsibilities related to occupational health and safety are unclear at almost all sites, with only a few having designated safety officers. A major concern is the communication gap between employers, supervisors, and workers, which hampers effective safety practices. Fall arrest systems are poorly managed, with many sites lacking toe-boards in hazardous zones. Electrical and fire safety trainings for employees are also inadequate. Control measures for noise, dust, and chemical hazards are insufficient, and ergonomic risks are widely overlooked. No site has established proper emergency preparedness or response programs, and health management plans are generally absent. Most sites lack medical facilities, and there is limited attention to protecting nearby communities from construction-related noise and dust. Overall, regulatory compliance is inconsistent. The study underscores the urgent need for stronger safety planning, effective regulation enforcement, and improved safety training and communication. Developing comprehensive, evidence-based, and context-specific guidelines is essential to improving occupational health and safety at construction sites.