Our Mapper of the Month for October 2025 is Rubi Shrestha from Nepal. Rubi started mapping in late 2023 and is part of the Nepal Geomatics Engineering Society (NGES) and Kathmandu University (KU) YouthMappers community. She is our top contributor for the UN Mappers x FAO Agricultural Waterways Mapping in Southern Mauritania Project 4 - she completed 204 tasks covering 1,168 km2 area, and mapped 323 km of waterways.
We asked Rubi about her mapping journey, her motivation to actively contribute to generating open data as well as her experience in mapping with UN Mappers. Read our interview below:
Tell us a bit about yourself.
My name is Rubi Shrestha, and I am currently a Geomatics Engineering third year student at Kathmandu University, Nepal. I started my mapping journey in November 2023, and since then, I have been actively involved in various open mapping and geospatial projects. I am passionate about GIS, remote sensing, and their applications in sustainable development. As an active member of the NGES and KU YouthMappers community, I have participated in several impactful mapping initiatives and was proudly recognized as the Mapper of the Month for June by KU YouthMappers. I love learning new technologies, collaborating with like-minded individuals, and contributing to projects that bring positive global change through open data.
How did you know about UN Mappers?
I first learned about UN Mappers through the NGES community and my involvement with KU YouthMappers. During my early mapping journey, I became aware of how UN Mappers collaborates with global organizations to support humanitarian and environmental projects. The idea that open mapping directly contributes to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals inspired me to take part. I was especially drawn to how UN Mappers empowers volunteers to make a tangible difference through mapping activities that support better decision-making in agriculture, infrastructure, and disaster management.
You participated in the UN Mappers x FAO agricultural waterways mapping as part of our collaboration with NGES. How was your experience in mapping and contributing to this project? Are there any new learnings or experience you found interesting?
Participating in the UN Mappers x FAO agricultural waterways mapping project was a highly rewarding experience. It deepened my understanding of how accurate mapping of waterways plays a vital role in improving agricultural planning, irrigation, and environmental sustainability. Throughout the project, I enhanced my technical mapping skills in OpenStreetMap and gained insights into classifying waterways and ensuring data consistency. It was inspiring to collaborate with experienced global mappers and learn from their expertise. This project also showed me how collective mapping efforts contribute to real-world agricultural and environmental data used by organizations like FAO. The experience strengthened my motivation to keep improving and contributing to open mapping initiatives for sustainable development.
When do you map?
I usually map during weekends and in my free time after classes. I also take part in mapathons and organized mapping events hosted by KU YouthMappers and NGES whenever possible.
In which countries do you map the most?
I mainly map in Nepal, focusing on areas that need better geographic representation. I also contribute to international mapping projects led by UN Mappers and YouthMappers, particularly in regions of Africa and Asia where agricultural and humanitarian mapping support is most needed.
Why do you enjoy mapping? What are your motivations?
I enjoy mapping because it gives me the opportunity to contribute to global causes while enhancing my technical skills. Every feature I map feels like a small step toward making the world more visible and accessible. My motivation comes from knowing that open data supports vital work in areas such as disaster response, resource management, and sustainable development. Mapping also allows me to connect with a global community of passionate mappers, exchange knowledge, and continually learn new geospatial tools. As someone who started in November 2023, I’ve already seen how each contribution—no matter how small—can create meaningful impact, and that keeps me inspired to continue mapping. "Map used to guide me, now I help to create them."
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Would you like to collaborate with us?
We are happy to host mapping activities with the community! Feel free to contact us for collaboration proposals and invitations through social media or by email: un.mappers@un.org