MENRIS has been developing an interoperable metadata standard and metadata to facilitate the sharing and exchange of geo-information databases in the region. To date, a comprehensive metadata of vector data holdings has been created and integrated within the Mountain GIS Portal. MENRIS has initiated a metadata format for image datasets which will be integrated within the GIS portal to enable sharing and access through the Internet. Further efforts are focused on creating a geodatabase using ESRI technology that will enable seamless integration of geographic and other related information. 

MENRIS has established a regional hydrological database centre (RHDC) at ICIMOD under the framework of the HKH-FRIEND network (Hindu Kush-Himalayan Flow Regimes from International Experimental and Network Data). The objective is to provide hydrological information for research purposes for the different research groups in the HKH-FRIEND network (Lowflow, Snow and Glaciers, Floods, Rainfall Run-off Modelling, and Water Quality). MENRIS is coordinating the database group and has embarked on creating a hydrological data portal to serve as a mechanism for the exchange of the hydrological information. The data portal can be accessed at www.hkh-friend.net; efforts are underway to collect hydrological information for the region using a partnership approach.