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Two projects in the Hindu Kush Himalayas have been named UN World Restoration Flagships in recognition of their importance as examples of large-scale and long-term ecosystem restoration.
The win for the region was announced ahead of the 6th session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), which will take place from 26 February to 1 March by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO)
The Pakistan Government’s Living Indus project and Worldwide Fund for Nature and Government of Nepal’s Terai Arc Landscape initiative are among just seven nature projects worldwide to be chosen as beacons of nature restoration by the Task Forces for Science and Best Practices of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
The Living Indus Initiative was approved by Pakistan’s parliament in the wake of the devastating 2022 floods and officially launched at the UN Climate Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh (COP27). It is led by the Ministry of Climate Change, Government of Pakistan, with support from FAO and other UN agencies. The initiative aims to restore 25 million hectares of the Indus River Basin by 2030, roughly 30 per cent of Pakistan’s surface area. Most importantly, this initiative designates the Indus as a living entity with rights – a measure taken to protect rivers systems elsewhere in the world.
The Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) stretches across 5.10 million hectares in India and Nepal and is a critical transboundary conservation landscape for the region’s megafauna – tigers, rhinos, and elephants. The Initiative focuses on restoring critical habitats and corridors by working with government and civil society groups – citizen scientists, forest guards, social mobilizers, and community based anti-poaching units. It is led by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) with support from the Government of Nepal. The tiger population in the landscape shared by India and Nepal has increased to 1,174 – more than double the number when the programme was launched in 2001. The restoration of 66,800 hectares of Nepal’s forests over two decades has also improved the livelihoods of about 500,000 households in Nepal – and the aim is to restore 350,000 hectares by 2030.
Bandana Shakya, Coordinator for the Action Area on Restoring and Regenerating Landscapes at ICIMOD: “While such impactful efforts are underway, we need scaling up and investment to trigger restoration on a transformative scale. We need more incentives, funding, and collaborative efforts across all the HKH countries.”
The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030) aims to prevent, halt, and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every ocean.
The world faces extraordinary headwinds. On top of the existential challenges of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, in 2022 and 2023, conflict has erupted in Europe, in the Middle East, and beyond.
To really power transformations on the scale the world now needs will require all hands on deck.
But, by failing to truly level up the gender divide, we are instead confronting these interlocking challenges with less than half of humanity’s skills, knowledge and talent.
It is more urgent than ever that we shift the dial on gender inequality across societies – and particularly within science, a sector that persistently continues to lag behind other sectors when it comes to gender.
It's important we redouble our efforts to turn the tide on the lamentably small numbers of women in science, where currently, just one-third of researchers are women, and where women make up only a quarter of science, engineering, and ICT jobs globally.
But crucially, this year’s theme for the United Nations International Day for Girls and Women in Science, which falls today, encourages all of us to focus not only on those absolute numbers, but to zero in on the numbers and impact of women in positions of genuine power.
The day’s theme this year is “Women and Girls in Science Leadership, a New Era for Sustainability”.
The leadership component is important, for two reasons – firstly, for the decisions women tend to make when occupying those roles; and secondly, for how crucial these leaders are in helping younger women see science as a valid career option.
On the first point, there is a growing body of evidence that shows that female leaders are more likely to support climate action and sustainability. “The Climate Action Gender Gap” - published before COP26 – showed how vital female leadership is to managing climate change.
The report highlights three key ways:
As leaders, women are often more open than men to the kinds of innovations or changes needed to drive climate action – but they remain underrepresented in these decision-making positions.
As investors, women have a strong preference for investments that prioritize the environment, social or governance issues.
As influencers, women are more likely than men to change their purchasing habits – and by extension, an organization’s procurement practices – towards greener and lower carbon options.
On the second point, women in leadership positions of course serve as role models – breaking down gender stereotypes, contributing to greater gender equality in society and encouraging more girls to pursue further education in science, technology, engineering, and maths – something that is particularly important in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region that ICIMOD serves.
At ICIMOD, we are committed to achieving gender equality and contributing to advancing women and girls in science leadership by integrating gender equality into our strategic operations and interventions.
We are empowering women and girls to take more leadership roles within our organisation. Of our 171 staff, 75 are women. I am the first female Deputy Director General in our 40-year history; 40% of the organization’s senior management team are women; and we have women leading workstreams across the organization, including on resilient economies and landscapes; river basins; cryosphere; landscapes restoration; foresight for adaptation; human settlements; human-animal conflict; and circular economies; as well as heading the Himalayan Universities Consortium, Communications; and our cross-cutting theme of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion.
The competence and productivity of these colleagues’ contribution to the actualisation of ICIMOD’s mission and vision is hard to overstate.
I am proud too of the vital and very visible contributions illustrious women from within ICIMOD played in not only creating but also promoting last year’s flagship report, Water, Ice, Society, Ecosystems in the Hindu Kush Himalaya.
As well as being Lead Authors of the report, Miriam Jackson, our senior cryosphere specialist and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change author, Sunita Chaudhary, our ecosystem services specialist, and Amina Maharjan, our senior livelihoods and migration specialist, played central roles in the report’s media launch, with their voices garnering equal coverage as their male colleagues’ in the substantial global media attention that the report’s publication produced. My hope is that aspiring scientists and academics all over our region and the world would have heard the expertise of these brilliant women researchers and leaderes, and felt validated and inspired.
At the Board Level, meanwhile, we are certainly walking the walk on female leadership: our Programme Advisory Committee board is chaired by the remarkable Teresa Fogelberg, our finance committee is chaired by Renate Christ, who from 2004 until her retirement in 2015 was Secretary of the IPCC. Long-standing Independent Board Member Carolina Adler, meanwhile, is a globally admired scientist – executive director of the Mountain Research Institute and Lead Author of the IPCC’s Cross-Chapter Paper on Mountains. And last year, Anita Arjundas, Executive Director of India’s Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment joined our governance body.
Beyond ICIMOD, on the global stage, huge strides have been made. The World Meteorological Organization newly has a female Secretary-General, Prof Celeste Saulo. UNESCO’s Director-General, Ms Audrey Azoulay too, a woman. And at ICIMOD we’ve just welcomed Anne Larigauderie, the hugely charismatic Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) alongside the two co-chairs of IPBES’s upcoming nexus assessment, Professor Paula Harrison from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and Professor Pamela McElwee from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey.
But much remains to be done.
To increase the number of women scientists, we need to hugely increase the flow of talent to science careers as well as promoting women into science leadership positions. These female leaders will play their part in attracting more girls to these realms, and we need to work much much harder to get more girls into science, highlighting the huge range of opportunities that exist in scientific careers.
We are working hard on these outreach approaches.
Through the SERVIR-HKH initiative, ICIMOD launched the concept of ‘Women in GIT’ to emphasise the role of women in Earth observation (EO) and Geoinformation Technology (GIT). The aim is to empower women to take leadership roles in this field and reduce the gender gap in EO/GIT sector across the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. In 2023, 642 women across the HKH region joined our WoGIT training sessions, successfully building their capacity in a wide range of topics including the fundamental principles of geographic information systems (GIS), basic remote sensing (RS) concepts, GIS data use and visualisation, geoprocessing and analytical query, RS image interpretation and mapping, and map production using open-source tools. The training also provided an overview of SERVIR-HKH’s services in land cover analysis and disaster preparedness. ICIMOD’s publication, ‘Closing the STEM gender gap: Training women in Earth observation and geospatial information technology’, addresses milestones, impacts, and efforts to help build a skilled, gender-balanced workforce that can keep up with the rapid innovation in EO and GIT.
Another example of ICIMOD’s work developing the leadership skills of girls and women in science is the Green Resilient Agricultural Productive Ecosystem, Field of Action 2 (GRAPE FA 2) initiative. ICIMOD’s particular focus in this project is on ‘action research’, which emphasises participatory research conducted with, for, and by people. To raise awareness of the importance of women’s involvement in agricultural science research, in March 2023, ICIMOD organised a panel discussion entitled ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for climate-resilient agriculture’ at Mid-West University, Nepal. In addition, we have conducted five student-led action research initiatives led by young female students, while three women researchers recently examined Climate-Resilient Agriculture solutions addressing the gender perspective, supported by Embrace Equity Research Grant.
We prioritise inclusivity in our overarching GESI-inclusive springshed management approach. In 2023, together with the Department of Water, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Bhutan, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature Bangkok, we organised a training session on ‘Springshed management as a nature-based solution for water security and climate adaptation in Bhutan’. Through this event, we aimed to build the capacity of around 150 citizen scientists, of whom 50% were women. These individuals lead mobile-based data collection on spring solutions. This initiative, blending physical and social science, exemplifies our commitment to empowering women’s leadership in science.
ICIMOD's Medium-Term Action Plan V (2023-2026) is committed to building capacity through both digital innovation, and engagement with women and youth. By promoting and supporting women and girls in science leadership, we are not only breaking the gender bias but also creating a more resilient and dynamic scientific community, which leads to a more sustainable and equitable future.
This is an all-hands-on-deck situation on the clock of the world – and we must urgently equip women and girls with the inspiration, encourage, and support to play their fullest part.
Dr Nakul Chettri, Senior Biodiversity Specialist, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has been selected as one of the scoping experts for the Second Global Assessment of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the independent body on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
The appointment was announced as ICIMOD hosts 130 leading global experts on biodiversity for the Third Lead Authors workshop for the IPBES nexus assessment.
IPBES’s Second Global Assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services is slated to be considered by its plenary in 2028. It is the role of Scoping Experts to determine the assessment’s focus, presented to the plenary in 2024.
Commenting on the appointment, Izabella Koziell, Deputy Director General of ICIMOD, said,
We are delighted that our distinguished colleague Dr Nakul Chettri is among just the handful of experts worldwide to be appointed to this prestigious global role, an apt recognition of his deep knowledge of biodiversity in the Hindu Kush Himalaya, one of the most biodiverse places on the planet.
Chettri, an Indian national, oversees the biodiversity portfolio of ICIMOD across the Hindu Kush Himalaya.
He has more than 20 years of experience in biodiversity conservation, landscape management, ecosystem services, climate change impact assessment, biodiversity informatics, and planning, demonstration, upscaling and promotion of Transboundary Landscapes.
He is ICIMOD’s focal person for the Convention on Biological Diversity, Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services among others and contributed in number of global and regional assessment reports including the Global Biodiversity Assessment of IPBES and key regional assessments including ICIMOD flagship publications HIMAP and HI-WISE.
Before joining ICIMOD, Chettri served as a Fellow at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment in its Eastern Himalayan Programme.
He has published over 70 peer review journal articles in international journals, 50+ books, 30+ book chapters and more than 30+ popular articles, and has a PhD and MSc in Zoology from North Bengal University, India.
The meeting, chaired by Izabella Koziell, Deputy Director General, ICIMOD, set out to identify areas of mutual interest and complementarity.
During the visit, the partnership between ICIMOD and the Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
This collaboration cements the partnership between the Honghe Center for Mountain Futures and ICIMOD. KIB has been one of the lead Chinese institutions cooperating with ICIMOD for the implementation of transboundary landscape programmes across the HKH in the past decades, and has been also actively involved in contributing to and shaping ICIMOD Strategy 2023: Moving Mountains, and the fifth Medium Term Action Plan (MTAP-V).
During the visit to the LML, Dr Surendra Joshi, Senior Resilient Livelihoods Specialist from ICIMOD introduced salient features of Living Mountain Lab, ICIMOD’s demonstration site, while Dr Shen Ting, Deputy Director of the Honghe Centre for Mountain Futures, KIB highlighted the key areas of collaboration between the two institutions through Mountain Futures, a global initiative that aims to promote the well-being of people in the mountains, restore and protect ecosystems, and learn and share green development solutions.
Under this partnership, the two institutions have agreed to collaborate in the following areas:
Functioning as the designated administrative body under the auspices of the Chinese government, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) formally established the China Committee for the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (CNICIMOD) on October 20, 2006. This committee, comprising a secretariat and five regional offices, operates in strict adherence to the principles and objectives set forth by ICIMOD.
ICIMOD also has a privilege of being the founding institutional member of the China-led Alliance of International Science Organizations (ANSO). ANSO, a non-profit, non-governmental international scientific organization from China, was founded in 2018 by the CAS in collaboration with 36 other esteemed international science and education institutions worldwide. This underscores the pivotal role of ICIMOD-CAS partnership in fostering collaboration and advancing scientific endeavours on a global scale through ANSO.
KIB, CAS has been actively engaged in research and collaborative efforts with ICIMOD since its inception. The collaboration has witnessed a continuum of contributions, starting from the representation of esteemed researchers such as Professor Pei Shengji and Xu Jianchu on behalf of the Chinese government and CAS. This commitment has evolved into full-time engagement with ICIMOD, resulting in extensive and impactful scientific achievements in areas such as climate change adaptation, biodiversity assessment, and conservation.
The Living Mountain Lab, formerly known as the ICIMOD Knowledge Park at Godavari, has refined its applied role to complement and execute ICIMOD's theoretical and field-based research. It stands as a pivotal hub, spotlighting sustainable agricultural technologies and distinctive ecological circular farming practices within the HKH region.
Committed to developing straightforward, impactful, and cost-effective solutions, this demonstration-based facility aims to propel sustainable development for mountain communities, addressing challenges posed by climate and environmental shifts. Annually, the lab draws in nearly ten thousand farmers, students, technicians, and government officials from Nepal and other nations for educational purposes.
The collaboration between ICIMOD and the Yunnan Provincial Government has seen a continued strengthening of the partnership between KIB and ICIMOD. The advantages from the Chinese side are notable, as they bring expertise in accelerating research on the ecological management of plateau mountain regions, fostering innovative development of distinctive germplasm resources, and promoting sustainable growth in mountain agriculture. The collaboration aspires to establish a research consortium focused on advancing eco-friendly mountain agriculture in the unique plateaus of South Asia and Southeast Asia. This initiative includes the creation of specialized agricultural demonstration parks tailored to plateau conditions and the development of international cooperation platforms.
Through extensive sharing and promotion of the successful practices in Yunnan's plateau-specific agriculture and those of our regional member countries in the HKH, this collaboration aims to substantially contribute to amplifying ICIMOD's influence in the region and the broader field of mountain agriculture.
In the last six months, the Living Mountain Lab has effectively drawn the interest of numerous new and old partners from China who are keen to engage in discussions regarding specific collaboration approaches. Notable among them are esteemed national research institutions like the KIB and the Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
The Living Mountain Lab serves as a regional Hub to co-innovate and foster exchange of innovations in the region, building on knowledge and evidence on climate change impacts as well as well as larger socio-economic and environmental impacts on human health, food production systems, and biodiversity in the HKH.
The solutions tested and demonstrated in the LML include not only technologies but also innovations in process, functions, and business models that are essential to help reduce the current and long-term impacts of climate and socio-economic changes.
The formalization of this partnership represents a crucial milestone in the enduring and collaborative journey between the two parties.
Since 2018, we have conducted 12 training programmes for young and early-career women in geospatial information technology (GIT), reaching over 1,490 women across the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). The 2023 iteration of our flagship ‘Empowering women in geospatial information technology’ training successfully built the capacities of over 642 women from across the HKH region.
While significant progress has been made in Earth observation (EO) and GIT, opening doors for novel ideas in the spatial sciences, decision-making, natural resource management, and landscape mapping, women remain underrepresented in these fields despite their crucial role in environmental management and decision-making. This gender disparity is particularly stark in the HKH region.
We launched the concept of ‘Women in GIT’ (WoGIT) to emphasise the role of women in EO and GIT. The WoGIT initiative seeks to provide significant growth opportunities for women professionals and encourages them to pursue careers in EO and GIT. The aim is to empower women to take on leadership roles in this field and reduce the gender gap in the EO/GIT sector across the HKH region. First conducted in Nepal, the WoGIT concept has now expanded to all HKH countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, and Pakistan.
GIT refers to using technologies to collect, store, analyse, and visualise spatial or geographic data about observing the Earth’s surface and human activity. Participants learned about key concepts and how to use applications that depend on EO data and GIT.
The impact of the training on the participants’ scientific knowledge on EO and GIT and their applications is outstanding, revealing a transformative shift in their understanding of the subject matter. Before the training, most participants needed foundational knowledge on concepts of EO and GIT and various applications – 12% for intermediate, 30% for basic knowledge, 55% expressed no knowledge, and only 3% claimed advanced knowledge.
The most notable transformation is the significant shift of 51% of participants from no knowledge to intermediate and advanced levels. This remarkable change not only underlines the effectiveness of the training in enhancing participants’ scientific knowledge but also implies a profound impact on their confidence and competence in the subject. Moreover, the training has played a pivotal role in equipping participants with a solid foundation, fostering a positive trajectory toward advanced understanding, and contributing to the overall advancement of scientific knowledge within the cohort.
A comprehensive assessment of their technical skills before the training showed that most participants lacked confidence in exploring EO and GIS data, using platforms such QGIS to process and analyse vector and raster data. However, the post-training evaluation reveals a transformative shift, with a substantial increase in participants expressing high and moderate confidence levels.
This positive change indicates the training programme’s effectiveness and signifies a tangible contribution to building a foundation for women in the EO/GIT sector in the HKH countries. The impact is not only measured in skill enhancement but also in fostering newfound confidence and competence among these young women, paving the way for their active participation and leadership in the rapidly evolving field of EO and GIT.
Nepal’s National Land Cover Monitoring System (NLCMS) represents a pivotal achievement and is poised to significantly fulfil the country’s data requirements. This system holds immense importance for assessing and overseeing the ever-changing landscape, which is crucial for the sustainable stewardship of Nepal’s natural resources.
SERVIR-HKH has been continuously collaborating with Nepal’s Forest Research and Training Centre (FRTC), the nationally mandated agency for forest cover data, to develop an operational NLCMS of Nepal.
NLCMS utilises publicly available satellite imagery, e.g., Landsat, and robust methodologies to regularly generate annual land cover data for the entire country. FRTC uses the land cover maps for national and international reporting on forest cover change, preparing a long-term strategy for achieving Nepal’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets and as a foundational dataset for evidence-based planning and policy development.
NLCMS addresses the challenges of long-term data gaps by providing consistent geospatial data crucial for various sectors such as forestry, climate action, and research. NLCMS data played a pivotal role in setting climate targets for Nepal’s commitments to the Paris Agreement and is being extensively used in forest degradation mapping, climate change action, and academic research. Bimal Kumar Acharya, Senior Remote Sensing Officer from FRTC states, “The NLCMS results are far more useful in the planning and policy-making processes of Nepal's federal, provincial, and local governments. It is also useful for reporting on Nepal’s national and international obligations. The resulting maps and data are used to further process the other relevant programmes.”
NLCMS land cover data has become the national data, helping understand the different land cover of the country. The Government of Nepal, through FRTC, has adopted this system, establishing it as a credible and authentic data source for governmental purposes. The National Statistics Office (NSO) uses this map for land cover statistics while international reporting, such as the Second NDC, was developed based on this data. Our land cover map, precisely forest cover extent, is used for emission estimation from forests. This is required for carbon accounting from forests to reach net zero emissions.
Farming requires perseverance and hard work at the best of times. Now with the effects of climate change firmly embedded in many places across the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, farming communities need to become resilient to these impacts, and fast. From changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, variability in water availability, changes in the timing of sowing and harvesting, increased incidence of pest attacks, occurrence of invasive species and weeds, and more frequent and severe occurrence of hazards, the agricultural challenges stemming from climate change are significant. In October 2023, ICIMOD, as implementation partner of the Green Resilient Agricultural Productive Ecosystem (GRAPE) project, ran a four-day learning workshop in Surkhet, Dailekh, and Karnali districts in western Nepal. This workshop brought together young participants from the HKH region, with the aim of addressing such challenges.
Research plays a pivotal role in the advancement and continual integration of innovative practices in climate-resilient agriculture (CRA), which is based on simple, affordable, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and aims to increase people’s capacity to adapt climate change. NbS are actions which encourage the protection, sustainable management, and restoration of natural or modified ecosystems to address societal challenges while simultaneously supporting human wellbeing and biodiversity benefits. It is crucial to engage with the next generation of agriculture professionals, and educate them about advocating for CRA to foster resilient and sustainable food systems in the Hindu Kush Himalaya, as this group will assume a pioneering role in agricultural research in the years to come.
The workshop encompassed a blend of classroom sessions, field visits, and direct interactions with the local farmers in western Nepal. The objective of this comprehensive approach was for the participants to gain knowledge, skills, and motivation for the adoption of sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices, with the ultimate aim of contributing to the agricultural sector’s resilience in the face of climate challenges.
Highlights from the workshop included a presentation by Dhan Bahadur Kathayat, Agriculture Extension Officer from Nepal’s Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives (MoLMAC), who discussed their role in steering Karnali towards becoming an organic province, a transformation guided by the Karnali Province Organic Agriculture Act (2076 B.S.). In Karnali province, a significant proportion of farmers are smallholders facing challenges such as fragmented land and limited risk-bearing capacity, which leads them to rely heavily on subsistence farming. Consequently, many resort to seasonal migration for additional income. However, transitioning to organic agriculture presents a promising solution, as organic farming includes using natural fertilisers and pesticides instead of more costly and hazardous chemical-based ones. By optimising their land and reducing financial risks with lower input costs, farmers can break free from subsistence farming and access premium markets, potentially reducing the need for seasonal migration while enhancing long-term profitability and sustainability.
Abid Hussain, Senior Economist and Food Systems Specialist at ICIMOD, introduced the concept of agroecology, a sustainable farming approach which applies ecological principles to agriculture. The session also explored the idea of social-ecological resilience and its vital role in improving climate resilience in agriculture. This refers to the ability of a socio-ecological system and its components to anticipate, lessen, adapt to, or recover from disturbances quickly and efficiently.
In classroom sessions, participants learned about approaches to enhance agricultural entrepreneurship and digital tools like agro-advisories, weather forecasting systems, and market information services. These tools equip farmers and entrepreneurs with the necessary information to manage their farms efficiently and make well-informed decisions. The direct interactions with local farmers, expert presentations, and observations at the Community Learning Centre provided in-depth experiences and insights into CRA and sustainability. Among the participants that shared their perspectives, Ugyen Tshomo, Founder and Owner of Nim Gangsha solar, a company manufacturing solar PV cells in Bhutan, said, “It was eye-opening to witness climate-resilient farming practices adopted by rural farmers in Karnali Province”. The field visits to Birendranagar and Bheriganga Municipalities in Surkhet and Dullu and Bhairabi Municipalities in Dailkeh allowed for mutual learning between participants and local farmers, where the local farmers showcased the use of solutions and technologies like plastic tunnels, drip irrigation, mulching, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, and mixed cropping. These methods promoted by the project, aim to minimise farmers’ efforts, reduce reliance on chemical pesticides, while improving yields and maximising profits. The participants interacted with community members, learning about their journey of moving towards organic farming methods.
Zakir went on to elaborate that in his region, convincing farmers to adopt these practices has proven to be the most daunting challenge for young researchers striving to promote climate-resilient agricultural methods.
In addition to these recommendations, we suggested efforts to establish and promote networking opportunities among youth from diverse backgrounds and countries. The workshop has undoubtedly laid the foundation for forging meaningful cross-border collaborations with immense potential in sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. Expanding these cross-border partnerships will enable participants to work on collaborative agricultural projects, exchange invaluable knowledge, and collectively tackle climate challenges. These collective efforts are essential for building a greener, more resilient future in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region.
Dr. QU Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations oversaw the signing of a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the agency and ICIMOD on 12 January 2024 in Kathmandu.
Dr. Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD, and Mr. Ken Shimizu, FAO-Representative for Bhutan and Nepal signed the MoU, which marks a milestone in the two organisations’ collaboration to advance climate-resilient agri-food system transformation in Bhutan and Nepal.
The MOU commits both bodies to pool expertise, knowledge, innovation, technology and networks to strengthen food production and community resilience, food and nutrition security, and bring economic benefits to mountain communities.
The ceremony followed high-level bilateral discussions among key officials from FAO and ICIMOD which highlighted specific areas for collaboration and of alignment.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to promote agricultural development, achieving food and nutrition security, uplifting livelihoods of rural farming communities and promoting sustainable natural resource management through policy support, strengthening institutional capacity and providing technical assistance in the implementation of projects and programmes aligning with government strategy and priorities.
Its goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members - 194 countries and the European Union, the organisation works in over 130 countries worldwide.
“It is a privilege and an honour to welcome the Director-General of FAO to ICIMOD. This is also history in the making,” commented Gyamtsho, the Director General of ICIMOD, “marking the first time we’ve had such a distinguished personality visiting us from the UN system.
“FAO is of course crucially important globally and for our region, and we are excited that this marks the beginning of a new era in cooperation between our two organisations. In the face of the triple planetary crisis – climate, pollution, biodiversity loss — there is a pressing need for this sort of close cooperation.”
Underscoring his commitment to sustainable development of the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, Qu said: “I hail from a region characterized by elevated terrains, and my profound connection with such landscapes has cultivated an enhanced understanding of the indispensable role played by mountains. Despite the regrettable documented losses of genes and species, mountains, alongside island states, endure as crucial sanctuaries for these entities. They represent a globally shared and pivotal resource of considerable ecological significance.”
UN Resident Coordinator for Nepal Hanaa Singer Hamdy commented: “In view of the existential imperative posed by climate change for Nepal, it is imperative that we fortify our collaborative efforts. I am pleased that FAO is spearheading efforts to address this critical issue.”
Deputy Director General, ICIMOD, Izabella Koziell said “It has just been confirmed that we have hit 1.48ºC of warming above pre-industrial levels in 2023. We must see this as an opportunity to reform the food and agricultural sector, especially in this valuable and vulnerable mountain region, to build more resilient, more inclusive and sustainable agricultural systems. FAO has a huge wealth of insight. Together we can meld science and delivery, and take solutions and products, like underutilised crops, alternative products from wild biodiversity, to scale.”
Maximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist, said, “I see 100% complementarity in our work. At FAO we have a roadmap of how we can produce more-with-less for today and tomorrow, increasing efficiency and minimising emissions and protecting biodiversity. Mountain areas are central to that. An immediate recommendation for how we might work hand-in-hand is to accelerate investment in ways that are consistent with this roadmap. Your knowledge on resilience and early warning would also help enormously in our modelling.”
“We must focus on natural resource management with special attention on commodities management.” QU commented.
Srabani Roy, Strategic Group Lead for ICIMOD Resilient Landscapes and Economies group, commented: “Nobody is yet looking at the full value chain – of environmental and social costs – of food production in the mountains. We would be very interested in collaborating with you on the true cost of food in the HKH.”
Wetlands are essential for human life. Today, 2nd February, is World Wetlands Day – a UN International Day designed to bring awareness to the cause of protecting and restoring the world’s wetlands. This year’s theme is ‘Wetlands and human wellbeing’ – to highlight how human life and wetlands are interconnected, and have been since the dawn of our species.
As civilisations developed, many human settlements were established near wetlands – both freshwater and saline – including lakes, rivers, swamps, marshes, wet grasslands, peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas, tidal flats, mangroves, coral reefs and underground aquifers. From wetlands, humans have derived water for drinking, washing, irrigating crops and providing water for livestock. They have also been used for recreation and inspiration, and they hold deep religious and cultural significance.
In the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), wetlands account for 10% of the area, and the region is home to the largest number of high-altitude wetlands globally. One example of the profound connection between wetlands and human wellbeing is Lake Mansarovar, located at 4550 metres above sea level, at the foot of Mount Kailash in Tibet. This sacred lake draws visitors not only for its breathtaking beauty but also for its deep spiritual and religious significance, especially for followers of the Bon, Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain faiths. Every year, thousands of people from various parts of the world embark on pilgrimages to Mansarovar, seeking mental, spiritual, and emotional healing.
The fragile ecosystems of high-altitude wetlands are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, glacial retreat, and altered precipitation patterns. These changes pose a direct threat to the biodiversity and functioning of these ecosystems. Other threats are from unregulated tourism, infrastructure development, and overgrazing by livestock.
It is important to manage and conserve these sites for their multiple values. For instance, the Phobjikha wetland, located at an altitude of 3,000m in Wangdue Phoorang district in Bhutan, harbours a significant population of the endangered, black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis). Phobjikha is a prime site for birdwatching, an activity which reflects a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. The numbers of migratory birds are increasing as a result of conservation efforts at the site; also because it’s an important biological corridor between Jigme Dorji National Park and Jigme Singye Wangchuk National Park. Bhutan’s focus on conservation reflects a deep spiritual connection between people, the cranes, and religious belief and practice. “Bhutan’s Ramsar sites are indirectly contributing towards human wellbeing by protecting the vital habitat of the black-necked crane, especially at Gangtey-Phobji,” says Kinley Tenzing, Executive director of Royal Society for Protection of Nature.
Numerous organisations and government bodies are dedicated to conserving high-altitude wetlands in the HKH through community-based projects, sustainable tourism, and research. Recognising their significance and adopting sustainable practices is not just an ecological responsibility but also a means of safeguarding the wellbeing and livelihoods of local communities and visitors.
During ICIMOD’s current four-year plan, MTAP-V, our dedicated teams plan to conduct mapping and rapid assessment of the management status of significant wetlands – mainly ‘Ramsar sites’, wetlands of international importance – and peatlands of the HKH region, to advocate policy changes and increase investments from the HKH countries for the management of such areas and identify areas for regional collaboration. In December 2023, Wetlands International South Asia (WISA) and ICIMOD conducted a roundtable meeting of Ramsar national focal points of the South Asia region on the ‘Wise use of wetlands in South Asia through regional collaboration and exchange’. The aim of the meeting was to develop modalities for the operation of the Regional Platform for Wetlands Conservation and Wise Use in South Asia.
The continued existence of wetlands is dependent on how we humans treat them. Action in this area is much needed, as nearly 90% of the world’s wetlands have been lost since the 1700s – 35% of wetlands have been lost since 1970, and they are currently disappearing 3 times faster than forests. Human activity in this regard includes draining and infilling wetlands for agriculture and construction, pollution, overfishing and overexploitation of resources, invasive species and climate change. This disheartening scenario is replicated across wetlands of the HKH. Conversely, wetlands have been found to improve and restore human health – both physically and mentally.
It is crucial for us all to improve our knowledge of the wetlands in our region – especially those found at high-altitude, and to educate others to their great ecological, spiritual, psychological and economic value. At the regional and policy level, we must encourage decision makers to focus greater attention on the integrated management of wetlands. After all, human health depends on healthy wetlands.
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In line with protecting our wetlands, and the fragile biodiversity and ecosystems within them, from 5–11 February, ICIMOD and the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal will be co-hosting the third authors meeting for the IPBES Nexus Assessment. IPBES is the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), an independent body established to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human well-being and sustainable development. The nexus assessment is a thematic assessment of the interlinkages among biodiversity, water, food, and health, which is currently being prepared for consideration by the Plenary at its eleventh session in 2024. The meeting will be attended by 170 experts from all regions across the world. This meeting will be followed by the third meeting for advancing Summary for policy makers from 10–11 February 2024, also at ICIMOD Headquarters, Kathmandu, Nepal.
SANDEE’s Research and Training (R&T) workshops introduce existing and aspiring researchers to carefully curated professional opportunities, skills, and advancements in the global environmental economics landscape. They are also a trusted pathway to coveted and competitive research grants. Every year, SANDEE launches two calls for research proposals attracting an average of 300 applications per year from across South Asia.
Since 1999, the South Asian Network for Development and Environmental Economics (SANDEE) has brought together and built the capacities of over 1,600 young South Asian environmental economists to tackle the climate crisis in the region from within the region, integrating environmental economics perspectives to natural science analyses.
Every June and December, ongoing and aspiring researchers gather for an intensive week of research and training. This is a pivotal part of SANDEE’s two annual research grant cycles, where the R&T workshops serve as a platform for ongoing researchers to present progress and solicit feedback to sharpen their research focus, questions, and output. Simultaneously, new researchers pitch their proposals. Beyond the research focus, the workshops nurture friendships and professional networks that extend beyond borders. SANDEE’s efforts are integral in ICIMOD’s missions to build institutional capacity for regional cooperation and collaboration for the delivery of evidence-based knowledge and insights that enable necessary transitions toward a more sustainable Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH).
Aspiring researchers begin their journey with SANDEE with the submission of a research concept note. A technical committee reviews and shortlists concept notes for the development of full proposals. The full proposals are reviewed again, with the committee recommending for them to either be sent for external review or back to the researchers for further improvements. Fully revised proposals are then evaluated and shortlisted for presenting at the R&T workshops.
The workshop is the second step in the grantee selection process, where mentors, faculty advisors, and peers deliberate upon the proposals, providing in-depth inputs during one-on-one mentoring sessions. This platform goes beyond feedback solely by advisors, supervisors, and technical sector experts. It creates an opportunity for researchers within the cohort to critique each other, building invaluable analytical and engagement skills that inevitably strengthens their professional competencies, and make life-long friendships. Proposals with sound research questions and potential policy impact are recommended for further revision. The SANDEE Secretariat, in consultation with advisors, prepares a list of proposals to be supported for the next two years.
A unique feature of SANDEE is the pairing of each grantee with one of the faculty advisors for technical support and mentorship. Through research grants, training sessions and mentoring, SANDEE enables researchers and university lecturers to conduct rigorous research on local issues, generating homegrown but rigorous evidence based on key regional challenges that support and inform development policies. Learn more about SANDEE in this introductory video.
Keynotes, plenaries, panel discussions by global experts in the environmental economics domain enrich the experience. The recent R&T workshop in December, consisted of progress updates from 14 ongoing grantees and seven new proposal pitches. Other grantees who were unable to attend the workshop in person, interacted with their mentors virtually. The SANDEE-ICIMOD Karl-Göran Mäler Memorial Lecture featured talks from Jampel Dell’Angelo, Associate Professor of Water Governance and Politics, Institute for Environmental Studies, and Soumya Balasubramanya, Senior Economist, World Bank.
SANDEE alumnae, also known as ‘SANDEEites’, play a crucial role in spreading the environmental economics education such as climate challenges in South Asia from various positions of authority – eminent vice-chancellors, deans, department heads, academics and government representatives. A 2022 survey indicates that, of the 250 SANDEE alumnae who responded, 75% are conducting cutting-edge research in South Asia; 60% are leading multisectoral collaborative activities; 50% are teaching environment economics, and 40% are engaged in and impacting environment policies at different scales. Publication of the edited volume, Climate Change and Community Resilience: Insights from South Asia, is an example of lasting collaboration among the SANDEEites. The book has been planned and published during COVID-19 period that demonstrates the resilience of the network, and it has been received well with over 310K access/downloads.
Through the R&T workshops, Summer Schools, specialised training and workshops, and a diverse range of subject matter skills and knowledge sharing, SANDEE's rigorous training programmes impart specialised knowledge and skills in environmental economics applicable to solving real-world environmental and socioeconomic challenges. SANDEEites emphasise how the network was instrumental in fostering collaboration among researchers and policymakers across the region.
SANDEEites have consistently emphasised that, along with generating knowledge and evidence to inform policy decisions on critical environmental challenges in the region, SANDEE contributes significantly to sustain a professional network that helps knowledge generation in South Asia.
Are you driven to research-pressing questions related to climate change and other challenges at the intersection of economic development and environmental change? Join us as part of our drive to generate evidence-based knowledge and insights to enable necessary transitions to a more sustainable HKH and South Asia! Please keep a look out for the next grant cycle that will be announced in the second quarter of 2024.
Mountain peaks in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region – usually capped in a white blanket of snow in the winter – remain noticeably bare this year, particularly in the western Himalayas. This winter has been very unusual, with little or no snowfall throughout the region. Farmers are understandably concerned, as low snowfall has a direct and severe impact on agriculture. This is particularly acute for the HKH region which is heavily dependent on agriculture.
Snow is an important source of livelihood in the mountain regions. Snow typically begins accumulating in October or November and continues through to March, particularly in the western HKH region. Snow cover usually acts as an insulating blanket, shielding dormant crops, allowing root growth, preventing frost penetration, and protecting soil from erosion. Reduced snowfall and erratic rains across the Himalayan region have the potential to cause adverse ecological impacts in the region, including on water and agroforestry.
However, temperatures have been warmer than average this season – a likely reason for the below-normal snow cover.
The lack of sufficient snow accumulation means that when the snow melts later in the year, there will be less ‘runoff’ – excess water which flows across the surface of the land and into nearby water bodies. With fewer snowfall events, there will be less snow on the ground, with decreased snow depth, meaning that there will be less melted snow running into rivers and streams when the weather warms up. So less snowfall over time could substantially reduce water for agriculture when it's needed most.
Mountain communities already face numerous challenges, including crop failure, livestock deaths, fodder shortages, loss of life and property due to disasters, and psychological distress. The extremely dry winter follows years of below-average snowpack accumulation and is expected to further strain water resources this spring and summer. With rivers fed by mountain runoff potentially running dangerously low, farmers may be unable to irrigate fields or sustain livestock. Food insecurity, economic losses, and migration could intensify without adequate adaptation measures. Examples from the region include:
Nepal: In Humla District, in north-western Nepal, the high-altitude Limi Valley saw a single unusual early snowfall event in late September but has since experienced a pronounced lack of precipitation.
We are very worried about the implications for agriculture and our mountain ecosystems. - Paljor, Ward Chairperson in Halji village.
Humla district, where the majority of people are farmers, falls within the western part of the Nepal Himalayas which depend on the ‘Western Disturbance’ for snow. Western Disturbance is an extra-tropical cyclone that develops in the Mediterranean, which brings sudden winter rain, sleet and snow to the HKH region, and maintains the flow of northern rivers.
Pakistan: The high-altitude region of Central Hunza in northern Pakistan would generally be metres deep in snow around this time of the year. However, the region has not seen a single snowflake this winter, which has been warmer than usual.
Winters are being pushed later into spring, meaning we may see snowfall in April or May, or even no snowfall at all some years. These changes could lead to drought, severely affecting agriculture and drinking water supplies in the region - Zarina Baig, Climate researcher, resident in Hunza.
Global heating, a major facet of the climate crisis, is influencing various weather phenomena on both regional and global scales. Although the precise physical mechanisms are not fully understood, it is believed to contribute to prolonged and more intense La Niña – El Niño conditions. These disruptions in normal weather patterns, in turn, impact the 'Western Disturbance,' a meteorological phenomenon with a significant influence on the hydrological regime of the Hindu Kush Himalaya. Consequently, this dynamic interplay affects the water security of the region's population.
Observed past temperature trends shows a steady rise: 2023 recorded the hottest global temperatures. The average temperature worldwide was 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels according to climate data (ECMWF ERA5 datasets & JRA-3Q dataset). Every day in 2023 surpassed 1°C above temperatures from 1850 to 1900. June through August were also the hottest summer months ever recorded. From 2022 to 2023, global temperatures notably increased over both land and oceans.
This record warmth is attributed to the persistently high Sea Surface Temperature globally. After three years of La Niña conditions (2020–2022), April 2023 saw a switch to El Niño (WMO). Marine heatwaves impacted the Mediterranean, Gulf of Mexico, Indian Ocean, North Pacific, and North Atlantic.
The Western Disturbance forms over the Mediterranean Sea, Caspian Sea, and Black Sea and moves eastwards, crossing Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan before reaching northern and northwestern India and western Nepal. The Western Disturbance system plays a critical role for sustaining water for agriculture in the HKH region during winter.
What we understand is that temperature anomalies in 2023 have weakened and delayed the Western Disturbance, affecting winter precipitation, crop production, and snowfall in the western Himalayan region.
Understanding what drives the Western Disturbance and how it is changing is key to predicting snowfall in the Himalayas. It has become even more crucial for the science and decision-making processes to move in parallel. Tracking these changes and using this information to forecast potential impacts on water availability in the highlands and downstream is significant for addressing associated risk. This points to the need for advancing the science of monitoring the influence of the Western Disturbance on snowfall in the region, as this is a topic that is not well understood particularly among decisionmakers.
Implications for glaciers in the HKH: The Western Disturbance serves as the main source of snowfall that nourishes the HKH glaciers, particularly glaciers in the western part of the region, while for eastern Himalayan glaciers, summer precipitation is the main source. These glaciers play a crucial role in feeding major rivers such as the Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra, as well as numerous mountain springs and rivulets.
The 2023 annual climate summary report, as presented in the monthly Climate Bulletin of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) in January 2024, summarises how El Niño – La Niña and Western Disturbance contributed to below-normal precipitation in the northern parts of India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
On average, annual snowmelt contributes approximately 23% of the flow of the 12 major river basins that originate high in the HKH and flow downstream to farmlands and cities, with snowmelt runoff from individual basins varying from 5 to 77%. The combination of seasonal snowmelt and glacial melt plays a key role in river hydrology and in daily life downstream. In addition, snow helps to sustain glaciers, while snow cover helps regulate the temperature of the earth’s surface, and variations in snow cover can affect regional weather patterns. The cooling associated with moist spring soils and a heavy snowpack in Eurasia is believed to shift the arrival of the summer monsoon season and influence its strength and duration.
Changing monsoon and prepping for the future: The region overall has been experiencing extended monsoons in recent years, characterised by high and intense rainfall. The 2023 monsoon in eastern Himalaya (east Nepal, Sikkim in India, Bhutan) resulted in disastrous flooding, accompanied by numerous landslides. Further north, noticeable changes have been occurring, including a shift in precipitation phases. Areas that traditionally experienced snowfall are now seeing more frequent rain.
While the data gap is still a major concern for the region, it has become paramount to make the most of existing data, and expediate uptake of adaptive measures to mitigate future risks. Decisions on water management need to be swift in adjusting to manage flood risk as well as water needs. To reduce future water stress and risk, adaptive measures must focus on optimising food production and enhancing irrigation networks, while promoting regional Disaster Risk Reduction strategies and leverage the trade-off between water and food security needs.
Connecting the Himalayas to mainland Bangladesh, the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT) is home to three districts – Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachari. For centuries, springs have been the lifeblood of the communities residing in the region. These very springs that sustain life in this region are now under threat and a water crisis looms large. The increasing population of the CHT region, deforestation, and land use change are placing additional pressure on spring resources. The region is experiencing seasonal fluctuations in rainfall, leading to water scarcity in dry seasons. These challenges stress a timely demand for efficient revival and restoration of springs to ensure present and future water security.
There are various ways to deal with water challenges, especially the crisis of too little water – rainwater harvesting, constructing physical reservoirs, or purchasing water. But these are quick and short-term fixes. For a lasting and sustainable solution, we must turn to Nature-based Solutions (NbS). NbS capitalises on protecting natural reservoirs (wetlands, lakes, rivers, ponds, streams, springs and aquifers, bogs, marshes, and swamps) and the water therein.
Springshed management is one such NbS. While addressing water crisis through groundwater recharge and spring revival, springshed management also restores the natural environment and adds environmental, economic, and socio-cultural benefits and gains.
Enhances groundwater recharge, revives springs, supports in maintaining water balance, and increases baseflows.
Increased baseflows and spring flows, ensuring year-round water availability for household use, livestock, and minor irrigation.
Ensures fair and equitable water distribution and use, participatory decision making, and gender equality and social inclusion (GESI).
Supports water regulation as well as cultural services, and sustains freshwater ecosystems.
While the scarcity of drinking water has been a pressing societal challenge in CHT, the concept of spring revival and management is relatively new to this area. The Ministry of Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs (MoCHTA) has initiated efforts to promote inclusive springshed management in the three districts. In collaboration with MoCHTA, our resource persons from ICIMOD, IUCN, ACWADAM and the Water Resource and Management Division, Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Bhutan, recently conducted training sessions for the technical staff of relevant government departments from the three districts. Our resource persons from Bhutan and India presented best practices from their countries and provided hands-on training to all participants, primarily on hydrogeology – the study of groundwater. On the final day, participants developed preliminary action plans aimed at reviving springs in the CHT region.
Understanding social and governance systems is a key step in the spring revival and management. To achieve this, local communities of CHT must be placed at the front and centre of this process.
Not to forget, cooperation from the tribal communities residing in the CHT region also needs utmost attention. 50% of the CHT population are tribal hill people, comprising ten ethnic tribes.
To bring dried and drying springs back to life, ICIMOD’s Himalayan Resilience Enabling Action Programme (HI-REAP) programme in Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal aims for a wider adoption of springshed management as an NbS. HI-REAP works together with the government and stakeholders to design and implement Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) responsive NbS. The idea is to ensure the government takes the lead and creates policies and programs to support this effort, while HI-REAP provides support for the design and demonstration of these solutions. The goal is to build partnerships and gather wider support for the adoption and expansion of these GESI-responsive NbS.
In Bangladesh, our goal is to establish pilot sites in all three districts, which will later serve as hubs for further scaling and development. The success of this initiative hinges on partnerships and intersectoral cooperation.
With the support of MoCHTA in co-designing the springshed management programme, a brighter future with improved spring flows and enhanced water security awaits the people of Chattogram.
The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) – home to the world’s tallest peaks, fascinating natural wildlife, and rich cultural heritage – draws millions of tourists each year. From mountaineering to trekking to wildlife safaris and discovering mountain communities’ gastronomic, cultural, and spiritual traditions, the region has much to offer. However, the region’s mountain destinations are highly vulnerable to the real and devastating impacts of climate change – from avalanches to flash floods and landslides which are devastating the lives and livelihoods of millions of people. Increased carbon pollution is increasing temperatures and exacerbating the melting of the region’s glaciers. Long-term impacts are contributing to heating the atmosphere beyond 1.5° and resulting in dramatic and abrupt shifts in the surrounding climate and mountain ecosystems. These multiple climate risks are undermining the progress of development and exacerbating climate injustice, with profound effects on the tourism sector.
With tourist numbers set to rise across the region, it is absolutely crucial to improve the sustainability of mountain tourism – to safeguard the natural landscapes and ecosystems, and to protect the communities that rely on them.
Against this backdrop, the Tourism Panel on Climate Change (TPCC) – an independent body of more than 60 climate scientists and tourism experts – has launched its Tourism and Climate Change Stocktake on 11 December 2023 during a global online event. This first sectoral Stocktake has taken a year of research and will provide a current-state assessment of the sector and objective metrics to public- and private-sector decision-makers. The release of the TPCC report has been timed to link to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 28) and the UNFCCC global Climate Stocktake.
With a focus on delivering promises – COP 28 aims to implement agreements and increase ambition and action. The sense of urgency to deliver promises is greatly felt by HKH countries and communities where sustainable mountain tourism presents an important opportunity to address poverty alleviation, support economic development more broadly, and generate much needed investments.
The TPCC report aligns well with UNFCCC’s Synthesis Report of the Global Stocktake, considering where tourism stands on climate action and support, by assessing progress and gaps in critical dimensions of tourism climate actions, including mitigation, adaptation, policy and finance.
Chapter four of the TPCC Stocktake report has a dedicated section that brings in the perspective of the HKH mountain destinations, where the strong need for an integrated assessment of climate risks resulting from multiple climate and tourism interactions and the importance of enabling environment (policies) to attract investment for climate resilient mountain tourism has been highlighted.
Looking ahead, the priority for HKH countries and its communities lies with promoting sustainable mountain tourism that advances climate resilient development and using tourism as a vehicle for strong climate action. This can be achieved through channelling investment into clean energy, water, infrastructure, culture, heritage, education and capacity building, institutional strengthening, and governance.
The TPCC report greatly supports the #HKH2UAE campaign of the HKH countries, which aims to promote the mountain agenda, ambitious climate action and the need for investment in the region.
Mountains are famously cradles of biodiversity – their steep slopes giving rise to a dizzying variety of lifeforms. They have grown increasingly crucial as refuges for nature: covering just one quarter of the planet, they hold 85% of Earth’s amphibians, birds, and mammals. This wealth of nature is reflected in the fact that of UNESCO’s 738 global biosphere reserves, significantly more than half are mountainous.
Worryingly, however, these retreats for such an extraordinary abundance of nature – long protected from human interference by their remoteness or difficult terrain – are shrinking. Nature’s erstwhile cradles, and refuges, are now becoming graveyards. In the Hindu Kush Himalaya, 70% of biodiversity has vanished over the last century. These losses, including species extinctions, are now accelerating, as evidenced in ICIMOD’s major assessment report, Water, Ice, Society, and Ecosystems in the Hindu Kush Himalaya.
Recognition that nature is one of the biggest solutions to the crisis we now face growing – at the public, political, and diplomatic level. The United Nations declared 2021–2030 as the Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and last year, under the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, more than 100 governments worldwide pledged to set aside 30% of land and sea for nature by 2030 – including all the countries of the HKH. And for the first time this year, nature was put at the centre of discussions at the United Nations global climate conference, COP28.
These efforts, and the ‘ecosystem restoration’ theme for this year’s International Mountain Day provide an urgently needed impetus to revive and protect mountain landscapes. So how close are the eight countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayas to meeting the ‘30x30’ target? So far Bhutan is the only country to actually exceed the target, with 51.4% of its land area already under various protected area categories.
Nepal has just under 24% of its land under protection. China is just over halfway to the target, with 16%. Pakistan is at 12%; India at 8%; Myanmar at 7%; Bangladesh at 5%, and Afghanistan at 4%.
Worryingly, across the Hindu Kush Himalaya, critical spaces where nature is still abundant remain outside protection: 67% of ecoregions, 39% of biodiversity hotspots, 69% of key biodiversity areas and 76% of important bird and biodiversity areas all remain unprotected.
Those protected areas that do exist are ‘islands’ in a sea of human modified landscapes, lacking corridor connectivity with other protected sites, insufficient for wide ranging species, and under pressure from poaching, encroachment, and extraction. Existing protected areas are insufficient to ensure the successful conservation of our region’s flagship species including the Asian elephant, the one-horned rhinoceros, and the Royal Bengal Tiger.
One solution, not yet attempted, would be to establish transboundary biosphere reserves, which would allow for conservation at landscape scale. This would take a shared political commitment across nation state boundaries to cooperate on the management of a shared ecosystem. It is a solution ICIMOD will encourage our regional member countries to embrace.
The bottom line, however, is that to reverse nature’s loss we must value and fund it. As long as economists continue to place its value at zero, it will not be considered. Until it is valued, countries with vast natural capital but less developed economies will lack the Triple A Credit Rating required to borrow at lower rates of lending. Cheaper capital to restore nature must be made available for the countries in this region: and this is something ICIMOD will work with our members, multilateral development banks and others to urgently advance. Because it has never been more evident that to prevent Earth systems from completely collapsing, we must give nature a home.
This year, climate disasters have hit the Hindu Kush Himalayas hard, and the cryosphere – Earth’s ice sheets, sea ice, permafrost, polar oceans, glaciers, and snow – are at ground zero.
A major new study, The State of the Cryosphere Report, published November 16, reviewed by over 60 leading scientists shows that all of Earth’s frozen parts will experience irreversible damage at 2°C of global warming, with disastrous consequences for millions of people, societies, and nature.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Paris Agreement set the climate threshold to 1.5°C to limit the increase in global average temperature. Breaking this limit would mean cascading effects of human-generated climate change.
In May 2023, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned with 66% certainty that we are on track to surpass the threshold within the next four years.
Earth just experienced its hottest 12-month span in history, with July 2023 the hottest month on record.
Even with low emissions at 1.8 °C, the Arctic Ocean may lead to frequent ice-free summers by 2050, while Antarctica will face potential complete summer sea ice loss.
The science is unanimous, 1.5°C is not just preferable—it is the only option.
All mountain glaciers worldwide are losing ice. The Himalayas are projected to lose around 50% of today’s ice at 2°C. Research underscores that threats to ecosystems are dramatically growing with the loss of the mountain cryosphere. Downstream dry season water availability for agriculture, power generation, and drinking – everything will be impacted.
The cryosphere serves as a frontline indicator of the changes caused by toxic air and carbon pollution, with millions of people and ecosystems impacted. Time is running out to stop irreversible damage – we need global leaders to stand up to polluters, end our dependency on dirty fossil energy, and make good on their commitments to limit overheating that is causing the accelerating disappearance of Earth’s ice and snow.
If global leaders allow temperatures to continue to rise by failing to reduce carbon pollution, they are committing the planet to extensive coastal loss and damage well beyond the limits of feasible adaptation.
IT’S NOT TOO LATE.
Reviewers of the report include key ICIMOD staff and advisors: Miriam Jackson, Senior Cryosphere Specialist, ICIMOD, Philippus Wester, ICIMOD alumnus, Editor, Water, Ice, Society, and Ecosystems in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (2023) and the HKH Assessment (2019), and Carolina Adler, ICIMOD Independent Board Member.
Download: Chapter 3 - Mountains, Glaciers and Snow | Full Report
The ground floor of the modest Melamchi River Resort, that lies just northeast of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, lies buried beneath debris.
Its ruins are a lasting testimony to a devastating flood that in June 2021 tore through Melamchi Bazaar, in Bagmati province.
Melamchi, in common with many mountain areas, is defined by the river that runs through it: in this case the Melamchi River, that stretches 41 kilometres, carrying glacial meltwater from the Jugal Himal and joins with the Indrawati River, a larger tributary of the Koshi River at Melamchi Bazaar. In common with many mountain areas, this small town finds itself frontline to devastating climate impacts.
At this point close to its origins, upstream, the Koshi’s river basin carries the scars of numerous floods and landslides. Downstream, in the floodplains of Nepal and India, communities face both extremes—not just of floods, but also of acute water scarcity.
With upstream landslides likely, the Koshi remains prone to disaster—and families here are braced for the next disaster. Crucially, in 2021, residents in upstream Helambu were able to give their downstream neighbours an hour and half lead time warning of the coming flood. Will they be so lucky next time?
Preparing for disasters that cross national borders is a particular challenge for the countries of the Hindu Kush Himalaya.
Disasters don’t recognise political boundaries, and floods that start upstream often result in devastating impacts in regions and countries downstream. Countries, however, especially with water an issue of growing national security concern in this region, can be reluctant to share long-term data around flow and risk. Water governance and water diplomacy are already major issues in the region, further compounding complexities.
The science is certain: Hazards across these mountains will grow in frequency and ferocity due to changes in precipitation, thawing permafrost, and snow and ice melt. To prevent loss of life, serious collaboration, trust, political will and finance in water basin management all need to grow.
This September, ICIMOD brought together 12 executives from across our regional member countries to start to build trust, networks of collaboration, and the arguments for greater investment and focus.
Participants were individuals from national organisations responsible for river management and academicians of six countries, travelled from upstream to the downstream of the Koshi river within Nepal to forge a better understanding of disasters and solutions using the ‘Integrated River Basin Management’ (IRBM) approach.
IRBM is a technique that brings water governance together with environmental security, and human wellbeing, to ensure rivers are managed in a more holistic way.
Across the Hindu Kush Himalayas, people have been moving to the banks of rivers for economic reasons in ever growing numbers – drawn by economic opportunities.
The rise in riverbank settlements, however, has not been accompanied by an uptick in the development or implementation of planning protocols for construction, environmental management or water governance, resulting in interventions that, in turn, often place greater pressure on the landscape, and water courses – increasing exposure to risk that climate change is already accelerating.
With so many in the mountains dependent on agriculture and already struggling with extremely high levels of poverty and malnutrition, managing the persistent water dichotomy, communities face – of “Too Much Too Little” water – has never been more urgent.
In Mahottari and Dhunusha districts, both of which lie along the Ratu River of the lower Koshi Basin in Nepal, more and more communities are embracing rainwater harvesting ponds. This nature-based solution helps check sediment flow, minimise flood risk and provides continuous irrigation.
Also, along the Ratu, which is a seasonal river that flows in the sub-surface during dry seasons, harvesting seepage water has proven effective. During the dry months, sub-surface dams collect water, which is then channelled downstream for irrigation, reviving agriculture in the area. However, is this sustainable? What happens if all communities in the plains are interested in harvesting subsurface water without considering options for recharging? How does this impact water table on the basin scale?
With IRBM, we are looking at harvesting benefits from river while mitigating its downsides. The Melamchi disaster is a powerful reminder that a single disaster can erase decades of progress overnight, underlining the necessity of IRBM to strike a balance between immediate needs and the long-term health of our river basins.
There are no right solutions, only appropriate ones. We need to consider GESI, transboundary dialogue, good water governance among other things. Our individual local solutions must address local challenges but also need to align with larger comprehensive strategy because local fixes may provide short-term relief but can lead to more significant issues, both at the local level and for the entire river basin.
A basin perspective is non-negotiable for thriving communities and healthy rivers, as non-cooperation and short-sighted policies come at a dire cost of human lives and environmental degradation.
In a historic development, yak herder associations from 11 mountain districts across Nepal – from Darchula in the West to Taplejung in the East – came together to formally announce the formation of the Yak Chauri Farmers’ Federation Nepal. It is historic for several reasons. Yak herders are on the margins, with mobility central to their livelihoods and identity. Even organising them at the district level is a challenge, as several speakers noted at the meeting. While there has been some success with district-level organisation and networking (such as in districts like Panchthar, Ilam and Taplejung), this is the first time that they have come together from across the country to form a national-level federation. Their local issues may differ, but at the national level they now have a common platform and voice.
There were extremely rich discussions at the two-day workshop held on 2–3 October 2023 at ICIMOD in Kathmandu, Nepal, where the formation of the Federation was announced. Several key issues came up time and again: climate uncertainty and change, inbreeding depression because of limited genetic exchange, livestock depredation by wild carnivores, and rangeland degradation, including the spread of invasive and unpalatable species. In his address, Rewati Raman Poudel, Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) noted that instead of tackling these problems in isolation, we should adopt an integrated approach and promote good rangeland practices through the yak herding communities.
In previous years, the exchange of breeding bulls across borders maintained the health and vigour of yak herds. Unfortunately, closed borders and restrictions on grazing and movement have isolated yak populations for nearly six decades now. As a result, yak populations have suffered from inbreeding depression and reduced productivity. This leads to low quality of offspring, reproductive problems, and reduction in growth rate and body size, making yak populations less adaptive to the changing environment and more prone to disease and climate shocks, especially at a young age. Livestock depredation by wild carnivores, mainly snow leopard, is increasing, they say. Herders expressed concern about the lack of compensation and investment in livestock insurance to address this problem. Domestic livestock make up some 40% of the snow leopard’s diet, and the decreasing population of yak and chauris could have implications for conservation of snow leopards. This critical challenge requires innovative solutions. Rajesh Kumar Rai of Tribhuvan University said: “Instead of seeking state assistance, yak herders should seek compensation under the payment for ecosystem services (PES) model for conserving upland ecosystems.”
Similarly, herders spoke about the impacts of climate change on their herds. Unseasonal rain and snowfall are complicating mobility decisions, affecting livestock health, and causing mortality. They reiterated that the spread of unpalatable and invasive plant species such as Bidens pilosa, Erigeron karvinskianus, Galinsoga quadriradiata into rangelands has replaced the local species, gradually resulting in the degradation of rangeland health. Other issues related to access to markets, access to health and education services, lack of facilities and services for herder communities, and a younger generation unwilling to take up traditional yak herding. “Of all the major challenges, the discontinuation of yak herding by the younger generation has emerged as the most critical challenge,” says Dawa Sangbu Sherpa, Chairperson of the Yak Chauri Farmers’ Federation Nepal.
The yak federation gives herders a voice at the national level. It also brings together disparate groups who have little bargaining power on their own, given that their numbers are small, and their concerns peripheral to the dominant development and conservation discourse. At national level, federations wield the heft that local associations do not have, to influence policy and amplify diverse local concerns from across the country.
Community based institutions such as Yak Chauri Farmers’ Federation Nepal provide a platform for sustainable partnerships to engage directly with the communities on the ground. This national level institution is envisioned to be federated at regional level (such as a Hindu Kush Himalaya Pastoral Network), and ultimately progress towards global pastoral/yak network, similar to the World Reindeer Herders’ Association.
In Nepal, we have the example of the Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN), with its base of more than 22,500 Community Forestry User Groups (CFUGs), a multi-tiered federation that is organised at community, district, province, and national level. As Parbata Gautam, General Secretary, FECOFUN, advised the newly formed federation: “This federation is meant to advocate for securing the rights of yak herders. For a start, please fight to reform unjust policies, and initiate dialogue with the local governments to resolve issues pertaining to resource allocation between yak herders and protected areas.”
The Hindu Kush Himalaya Science-Policy Forum unites scientists, policymakers, development practitioners, and young researchers from across the High Mountain Asia region to discuss critical transboundary issues and collaborative solutions.
This year’s event took place over two days at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Kathmandu, Nepal and focussed on the climate and cryosphere crisis.
In his keynote address, ICIMOD Director General Pema Gyamtsho described the urgency of the situation as “undeniable”, citing scientific evidence that tipping points that threatened earth’s very sustainability were perilously close to being reached.
James Kirkham, Chief Scientific Adviser to International Cryosphere Climate Initiative, highlighted the alarming rate at which the cryosphere is warming: with the Arctic warming at four times the global average and the Hindu Kush Himalaya at double the global average.
“Around the world we’ve watched as glaciers have continued their enormous decline,” Kirkham, who used to work at ICIMOD, told the audience. “We’re locked in for extensive mountain ice losses. Loss and damage is already occurring. Delaying mitigation will result in larger loses, greater instability and less time to adapt to our changing mountains. There isn’t much time to act to prevent this. [Limiting warming to] 1.5ºC is our best chance.”
Over two days, participants focused on three core objectives: assessing cryosphere science, discussing national policies and plans, and examining institutional mechanisms. Their goal is to address the far-reaching impacts of cryosphere changes on vital aspects such as water resources, biodiversity, and livelihoods.
From these deliberations emerged a set of ten-point recommendations, a roadmap to inform the HKH Ministerial Mountain Summit in 2024, and which will be attended by ministers from ICIMOD’s eight regional member countries.
Recommendations from the policy forum included the establishment of a transdisciplinary HKH Cryosphere Working Group, a regional cryosphere monitoring and research program, and adopting a nexus approach for disaster risks and water resources management.
The forum emphasized upstream-downstream linkages, nature-based solutions, and research on cascading risks and transboundary implications.
Communication and knowledge exchange and building greater understanding cryosphere change impacts on biodiversity and marginalized communities were all areas earmarked for rapid progress and greater investment.
The second HKH Science-Policy Forum concluded with a clarion call for immediate action, and consensus that the need for transboundary collaboration has never been more urgent.
In an increasingly complex world, dedicated individuals from diverse backgrounds are transcending boundaries to address the climate and cryosphere crisis. The Himalayas, with their majestic beauty and ecological significance, depend on it.
Between 12 and 20th September, I had the honour of leading a high-level delegation to China. While China has been a founding member of ICIMOD, with the Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences represented on our Board of Governors, this trip marked a significant step forward in our relations, including ICIMOD’s first in-person meeting with officials in Beijing.
Our formal programme began at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) headquarters in Beijing on September 14, 2023. In the subsequent days, we engaged in cordial meetings with key institutions and ministries, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the Forestry & Grassland Administration, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), and the National Centre for Climate Strategy Research and International Cooperation.
China has been a proactive supporter of ICIMOD’s mission and goals since our foundation in 1983, and we are proud that our partnership with our diverse array of partners in China is more powerful than ever, as we look to our 40th anniversary in December.
Together, we are advancing our joint efforts towards greater regional collaboration and promoting regional agenda at global forums to address regional and global issues, working alongside our nodal agency, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), government agencies, development agencies, academic institutions, NGOs, and the private sector. We look forward to working with ICIMOD-China collaborations of mutual interest in the decades ahead.
Embarking on our China trip, we had the privilege of inaugurating our journey with a significant high-level meeting on ICIMOD-Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) cooperation. This pivotal event took place at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) in Beijing on September 14, 2023.
Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, convening for this face-to-face meeting marked a truly momentous occasion. The privilege of meeting Prof. Yaping Zhang, the Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the CNICIMOD President, alongside distinguished CAS officials from various entities including the Bureau of International Cooperation, Chengdu Institute of Mountain Disasters and Environment (IMDE), Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), UCAS, and representatives of the Alliance of International Science Organization (ANSO) in person, was indeed an honor. I firmly believe that this in-person interaction added substantial value to our engagements.
Prof. Zhang emphasized our successful collaboration in research and capacity-building, addressing challenges like climate change, biodiversity conservation, and mountain disasters. The Chinese Academy of Sciences is eager to deepen practical cooperation with ICIMOD, contributing significantly to sustainable development in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region.
I reiterated our commitment to expanding collaboration on sustainable mountain development to address regional and global challenges. China's continued contributions and the sharing of advanced technology affirm a shared dedication to regional cooperation. ICIMOD remains steadfast in reinforcing collaboration with Chinese counterparts, aligning with China's national priorities for sustainable development. Our goal is to make ICIMOD an effective platform for facilitating China's collaborations with neighbouring HKH countries.
Our meeting was marked by substantive discussions on a range of critical topics, and I am delighted to learn that both of us found our exchange to be productive and insightful.
In the subsequent days, we engaged in cordial meetings with key institutions and ministries, including the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the National Forestry & Grassland Administration, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE)of the People’s Republic of China, and the National Centre for Climate Strategy Research and International Cooperation (NCSC). Notably, this marked our first official in-person meeting with Chinese officials in Beijing to date.
The NSFC, demonstrated its commitment to collaboration by presenting funding options and joint research initiatives. This marks a significant step forward after the pandemic, especially in the context of codeveloping and co-planning joint activities for ICIMOD’s MTAP V. The willingness to invest in joint projects underscores the mutual interest in addressing pressing challenges through scientific research and innovation.
Meetings with the National Forestry & Grassland Administration and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE)of the People’s Republic of China revealed the clear priorities of Chinese partners in the areas of environmental protection and administration. In-depth discussions on climate change, conservation, and sustainable development shed light on shared goals and potential avenues for collaboration. The distinct positions of these ministries underscore their crucial roles in shaping China's environmental policies and practices. I appreciate their direct appreciation of our work over the past 40 years.
The series of meetings with CAS headquarter and institutes, and key ministries in China have fortified the foundation for a robust partnership between ICIMOD and its Chinese partners. The shared commitment to addressing common challenges set a positive trajectory for the future. As ICIMOD continues to strengthen its collaboration with China, the shared vision of sustainable development in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region takes a significant step forward, promising positive outcomes for the global community.
Moving forward, we commit to sustaining consistent communication, particularly in anticipation of significant upcoming events. This includes the celebrations marking ICIMOD's 40th Anniversary in Kathmandu and the International Mountain Forum scheduled for December 2023 in Chengdu.
Prof. Wang Yanfen and Prof. Yao Tandong （Honorary Director of Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, ITP, CAS）are not just esteemed colleagues; they're old friends who share a deep connection with ICIMOD.
Dive into the profound connections and contributions of Prof. Wang Yanfen, Vice President of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences since 2008. As an independent board member at ICIMOD from 2014-2023, her leadership extended beyond academia, holding key positions respectively in the China Ecological Society and China Natural Resources Society.
In recognition of her exceptional efforts for ICIMOD, we conveyed our gratitude by presenting her with a well-deserved medal of thanks during the first-day meeting.
Following this successful meeting, I had the honour of addressing UCAS students in a guest lecture. This interaction aimed to cultivate a culture of knowledge sharing and interdisciplinary cooperation. Connecting with the next generation of scholars was not only invigorating but also highlighted the crucial need for nurturing fresh talent in our field. Through such engagements, we lay the foundation for a shared future marked by collaboration and innovation in the region.
Prof. Wang's enthusiastic lead through various colleges on the campus added a personal touch to the journey, complemented by the thoughtful gift of Chinese calligraphy and cultural shirts.
On a welcoming Saturday after several days, we had the pleasure of being received by Prof. Yao Tandong in his esteemed office at the well-known Third Pole, and the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research.
Prof. Yao is not only a distinguished scientist and researcher but also a figure recognized for his profound contributions to glaciology and climate studies. As a prominent academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prof. Yao has consistently led the way in unravelling the complexities of the Third Pole's environment. During our visit, he graciously introduced us to the cutting-edge instruments and talented researchers housed in the State Key Laboratory of Tibetan Plateau Earth Systems, Environment, and Resources.
His involvement as the second Vice-President of the Chinese Committee on ICIMOD (CNICIMOD) underscores his commitment to collaborative efforts between China and ICIMOD. Furthermore, his contributions include serving on the steering committee of "The Hindu Kush Himalaya assessment: Mountains, climate change, sustainability and people."; played a pivotal role as one of the two lead authors in producing the report titled "A Scientific Assessment of the Third Pole Environment." Additionally, Prof. Yao delivered a keynote speech virtually during the ICIMOD’s 2023 Science Policy Forum's opening ceremony.
This underlines his commitment to advancing scientific discourse and sharing insights, enriching our comprehension of the dynamic environment of the Third Pole, and fostering cooperation with ICIMOD. These collaborative endeavours stand as a testament to the fruitful partnership between the institute and ICIMOD.
This time in 2023, I embarked on my fourth journey to China, returning to Urumqi after a two-decade hiatus. After a nearly 5-hour flight to the geographical centre of the Asian continent and the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, my team and I participated in the “2023 International Forum on Sustainable Development of Ecology and Environment in the Silk Road Economic Belt" held from September 17th to 19th. The event, jointly hosted by the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) and the Xinjiang Association for Science and Technology (XAST), was co-organized by ICIMOD and several other esteemed organizations.
In this momentous gathering, facing scholars and officials from China, Central Asia, and beyond, I had the privilege of delivering a keynote speech titled "Regional Cooperation in Addressing the Climate Crisis in the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region." With more than 300 participants representing 17 countries and international organizations, the speech underscored the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address the climate crisis in this ecologically sensitive area.
Adding to the significance of the event, I had the great honor of witnessing the signing of an MoU between the Forestry Administration of Gilgit, Pakistan, and the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG). This MoU was facilitated by the previous ICIMOD transboundary initiative of Hindu Kush Pamir Landscape Initiative (HKPL).
Furthermore, my esteemed colleague, Ms. Sunita Chaudhary, an Ecosystem Services Specialist at ICIMOD, played a crucial role. In a parallel session of the forum, she presented on "Regional Cooperation for Conservation: Analysing Opportunities and Gaps for Transboundary Conservation Between China and Its Neighbouring Countries in the Hindu Kush Himalaya." Her insights shed light on vital opportunities and obstacles in transboundary conservation collaboration.
Certain regions in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China overlap between the HKH and Silk Road Economic Belt. Common concerns, stemming from human and climate change perspectives, align with the expertise and interests of experts and governments. Specialized discussions on geological, hydrological, and climatic conditions emphasized the importance of regional cooperation, green development, sustainable management, and food and water security. These discussions closely aligned with the event’s primary objective of advancing science, resources, and regional and global cooperation.
Our visit to China was a testament to the ongoing strength of our partnership. The productive meetings and enriching engagements with government and academic organizations showcased the hospitality and warmth extended to us. As we return to Kathmandu after this hectic but fruitful trip, the shared vision of sustainable development in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region takes a significant step forward on the regional collaboration and promote regional agenda at global forum.
Special thanks to the CNICIMOD and all individuals involved in the excellent organization of our journey, including Su Lijun, Lu Xuyang, Gan Lu, Yi Shaoliang, and Feng Yuan.
Bindu Sahi, a 23-year-old from Birendranagar, a city in Surkhet District, western Nepal, cycles from home to home through her community selling vegetables from her family farm. While engaging with her customers, she also shares the story of her family’s success with climate-resilient farming practices, and the importance of sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change.
Surkhet District is grappling with the adverse effects of climate change. Changing rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures are affecting agriculture, making it difficult for farmers to sustain their livelihoods and plan their crops. Furthermore, a heating climate is making more hospitable conditions for crop pests and diseases that were not previously a problem. This is particularly daunting for smallholder farmers like Bindu, whose family relies on agriculture.
“I remember a time when my family had an abundant harvest, which we would share with our neighbours. But now, production has been steadily declining. Irregular and unpredictable rainfall and new pests and diseases forced us to resort to chemical pesticides and fertilisers. Despite this, production was barely enough to meet our needs”, she shares. Bindu, who lives with her parents and seven siblings, helps her parents with their 0.2 acre of land – all while pursuing a Master’s degree in health science.
Although Bindu has a deep love for farming, her father believes agriculture offers no prospects for a successful future. Existing socio-economic challenges such as limited access to finance, technology and markets, poor infrastructure, and widespread poverty make it difficult for families like Bindu’s to make a living from agriculture. Adapting to climate change impacts adds another challenge. However, Bindu’s unwavering determination to support her parents compelled her to seek innovative solutions to their farming challenges.
Discovering climate-resilient agriculture
Representing her father, Bindu attended the first meeting of the Green Resilient Agriculture Productive Ecosystems (GRAPE) project as a member of the local Langansil Farmers’ Group, officially registered with Birendranagar municipality. The group, which is focused on the production of seasonal vegetables, comprises 27 local farmers, of which 24 are women and 3 are men. It was in this meeting that Bindu learned about climate-resilient agriculture (CRA), which is based on simple, affordable, Nature-based Solutions and aims to increase people’s capacity to adapt climate change.
Bindu attended the demonstrations and actively participated in the training events focusing on CRA practices. These practices included drip irrigation, which is water-efficient, and the use of biological pest control and biofertilisers. ICIMOD’s particular focus in the GRAPE project is on ‘action research’, which emphasises participatory research conducted with, for, and by people. It involves cycles of action and reflection, and aims to enable change through innovation and demonstrating proven solutions. Through this approach, the project enables farmers, like Bindu, to actively engage in the research process and see the tangible impact of CRA practices.
Bindu has implemented some CRA practices in her family farm, which have significantly improved productivity. She has constructed a pond for greywater – this is domestic wastewater generated in households from sinks, showers, or baths but not from toilets; Bindu uses the greywater for irrigation. By reutilising wastewater, and not having to rely only on rainwater or spring water, and by using environmentally friendly biopesticides and biofertilisers instead of harmful and expensive chemical products, these practices have strengthened her family’s resilience to climate shocks and change.
She has also installed different lures and traps for pest control, which attract and trap pests through the use of colours and the scent of female insects. Bindu also prepared and used jholmol – homemade biofertilisers and biopesticides. Jholmol are not only cost-effective but also eco-friendly, mitigating the need for expensive and environmentally damaging chemical fertilisers and pesticides (https://lib.icimod.org/record/35011). In addition, she used ‘Vermiwash’ spray to control nutrient deficiencies in the plants – a nutrient-rich liquid made as a byproduct of vermicomposting, or worm composting, whereby earthworms aerate the soil, digest organic matter and produce castings that are a valuable source of humus.
These practices have also increased Bindu’s family’s household income: in April 2023, the family generated nearly NPR 30,000 (approximately USD 225) in revenue selling seasonal vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, and cucumbers. Most of these vegetables are sold in the family’s home city of Birendranagar.
Eager to share her success, Bindu often invites other farmers to visit her farm, where the GRAPE project has established a community learning centre. Her goal is to raise awareness among fellow farmers about simple solutions that help mitigate climate change impacts. She frequently assists neighbouring farmers in adopting these techniques.
Bindu’s passion and dedication have inspired others to embrace sustainable farming practices. “I was unsure about using biopesticides and traps to control pests on my farm because I had always relied on chemical pesticides. But when I visited Bindu's farm and saw the incredible results first-hand, my doubts vanished. The biopesticides and traps she used were incredibly effective in controlling insect pests and pathogens. Now, I have decided to adopt the same solutions on my own farm,” shares Krishna Sahi, a neighbouring farmer.
Bindu firmly believes in the immense potential of climate-resilient agriculture practices. “While climate change poses significant threats to agriculture, instead of succumbing to despair, it is important we confront these challenges head-on. With the right adaptation measures and sustainable practices, agriculture can not only survive but also thrive in a changing climate”, she says.
Through her work, she demonstrates that, by prioritising the health and wellbeing of both people and the environment, agriculture can become a force for positive change in the face of climate change. Bindu also encourages other young individuals to consider pursuing a future in agriculture, highlighting the importance of sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices. While committed to her studies, she remains dedicated to supporting her parents in their farming activities, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for their family and community.
At a time when many young people are abandoning agriculture, Bindu’s story serves as an inspiration for others, demonstrating the potential in using and promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices at home and in the community.