mapping
SAMRAT ACHARYA
From the early days of undergraduate studies,Samrat has been actively involved with the OpenStreetMap (OSM) Foundation. His first contribution was mapping the Chepang Village community in Makawanpur District, one of the indigenous groups in Nepal. This project was supported by a grant from the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT) to the Geomatics Engineering Society (GES), a student club at the Department of Geomatics Engineering, Kathmandu University.
He regularly contributed to OSM as a volunteer, driven by a strong sense of humanitarian purpose. During his OSM journey, he also actively participated in another HOT-funded project focused on rooftop farming in Banepa Municipality, Nepal. He was one of the top contributors in this project and was recognized for his efforts.
Early in his mapping journey, he was involved in several other projects, including mapping Province 2 of Nepal (funded by international agencies) and mapping roads in Pakistan and Afghanistan—his first international mapping experience.
As an executive member of GES, he organized and led various mapathons as both an organizer and a trainer. He has also organized mapathons under OSM Guru, Asia Pacific Hub, HOT, START Network, KIRDARC, and OSM Nepal. One such project focused on mapping roads in the remote areas of Jumla, Mugu, and Kalikot.
He continues to be actively involved in the OSM community, contributing to projects, validating tasks, and conducting training sessions as an OSM Guru. To date, he has participated in multiple emergency response mapping projects for HOT, with over 2 million edits and 1,250 active mapping days.
Given his sustained dedication, extensive contributions across diverse projects, leadership in organizing and training mapathons, and consistent commitment to humanitarian mapping initiatives, I believe Samrat Acharya is an exceptionally deserving candidate for this award. His profound and continuous impact on the OpenStreetMap community, particularly in Nepal and beyond, makes him an outstanding nominee.