Environmental Management in a Changing Climate

PROCEEDINGS OF THE WORKSHOP ON Environmental management in a changing climate Communicating local perspectives from the Kailash Sacred Landscape 30 September–1 October 2019 Copyright © 2020 International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Published by Attribution Non-Commercial, No Derivatives 4.0 International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development International License GPO Box 3226, Kathmandu, Nepal

(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) Report preparation Serena Amatya, Sunayana Basnet, Sushmita Kunwar, Note Binaya Pasakhala, Pradyumna Rana, Astrid Hovden, This publication may be reproduced in whole or in part Riamsara Knapp, and Janita Gurung and in any form for educational or nonprofit purposes without special permission from the copyright holder, Production team provided acknowledgement of the source is made. Shanuj VC (Consultant editor) ICIMOD would appreciate receiving a copy of any Samuel Thomas (Senior editor) publication that uses this publication as a source. No Rachana Chettri (Editor) use of this publication may be made for resale or for any Punam Pradhan (Graphic designer) other commercial purpose whatsoever without prior permission in writing from ICIMOD. Photo The views and interpretations in this publication are Cover: Rajendra Shakya those of the author(s). They are not attributable to Citation ICIMOD and do not imply the expression of any opinion ICIMOD and HimalConnect (2020). Proceedings of the concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city workshop on Environmental management in a changing or area of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation climate: Communicating local perspectives from the Kailash of its frontiers or boundaries, or the endorsement of any Sacred Landscape. ICIMOD. product. This publication is available in electronic form at www.icimod.org/himaldoc.

2 PROCEEDINGS PROCEEDINGS OF THE WORKSHOP ON Environmental management in a changing climate Communicating local perspectives from the Kailash Sacred Landscape 30 September–1 October 2019

Organized by HimalConnect and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), in collaboration with The Mountain Institute (TMI)

Funded by The Research Council of Norway (NORGLOBAL-2), Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) through the University of Cambridge (UoC), and UiO:Energy at the University of Oslo (UiO)

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN A CHANGING CLIMATE 1 Contents

SECTION 1 | PAGES 1–2 Technical session 2: Introduction Communicating local perspectives Closing session SECTION 2 | PAGE 2 Workshop objectives PAGES 8–13 Annex SECTION 3 | PAGES 3–7 Annex 1: Programme agenda Workshop highlights Annex 2: Participant list Technical session 1: Identifying local concerns and solutions Annex 3: Group participants Annex 4: Solutions identified by groups

Abbreviations and acronyms

ABS Access and benefit sharing MoFE Ministry of Forests and Environment CCA Climate change adaptation MoITFE Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest CDO Chief District Officer and Environment C&D Conservation and development MoLMAC Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives DFO Divisional Forest Office MoPID Ministry of Physical Infrastructure GCRF Global Challenges Research Fund Development Himalayan Connections: Melting HimalConnect MP Member of Parliament Glaciers, Sacred Landscape and Mobile Technologies in a Changing Climate NGO Non-governmental organization EWS Early warning system NPC National Planning Commission GESI Gender equality and social inclusion NTB Nepal Tourism Board HKH Hindu Kush Himalaya NTFP Non-timber forest product ICIMOD International Centre for Integrated RVWRMP Rural Village Water Resources Mountain Development Management Project KSLCDI Kailash Sacred Landscape SIAS Southasia Institute of Advanced Studies Conservation and Development Initiative TMI The Mountain Institute LEC Livestock Expert Centre ToT Training of trainers MoALD Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock UiO The University of Oslo Development UiT The Arctic University of Norway MoCTCA Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil UoC The University of Cambridge Aviation WMC Waste Management Committee MoFA Ministry of Foreign Affairs MoFAGA Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration

2 PROCEEDINGS SECTION 1 Introduction

In a confluence of events, climate change-related bridge the knowledge gap if the CCA measures floods are occurring at the same time that motorable are to become effective. Moreover, legislation and roads and telephone connections, as well as new policy development has not yet been completed at governance modes are arriving in Limi, in Nepal’s the provincial and federal levels. Besides, there is a Humla district. Limi, thus, presents an ideal case lack of institutional/administrative resources for the for discussing the current challenges in making subnational governments. This poses a challenge as environmental management in Nepal more climate policies and practices need to be coordinated both resilient. As is common in Himalayan border horizontally and vertically in order to ensure the communities, Limi has a long tradition of managing implementation of successful CCA measures. the local environment,1 but since the introduction of federalism, the community has had to develop The Namkha Rural Municipality (Map 1) is one and implement new environmental management of the pilot sites of the Kailash Sacred Landscape policies as it is now part of the Namkha Rural Conservation and Development Initiative (KSLCDI). Municipality. Similarly, the 2015 Constitution of The workshop contributed to the KSLCDI’s aims Nepal has placed the responsibility for climate of achieving effective ecosystems management change adaptation (CCA) on the local governments. and building the resilience capacity of the local However, the CCA framework and policy documents communities. It provided an opportunity for key are written in a highly technical language. There stakeholders from all three levels of government, is a need to improve communication methods and as well as civil society representatives and

FIGURE 1 NAMKHA RURAL MUNICIPALITY HUMLA, NEPAL

1 Diemberger et al. 2015, Hovden 2016, Basnet and Chaudhary 2017.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN A CHANGING CLIMATE 1 researchers, to come together to discuss how to respective participants. Day 1 was a preparatory make environmental management systems more day involving local stakeholders, experts and sustainable in the context of a changing climate researchers to discuss concrete challenges and scenario. The focus was particularly on exploring how solutions by considering three thematic areas: water the knowledge of local challenges and management management, waste management, and natural strategies could be communicated and made relevant resource management. On Day 2, participants from across the different decision-making levels in Nepal. the provincial and central governments were invited to exchange experiences and engage in a dialogue The two-day interactive workshop lay a strong with the local stakeholders on these three thematic emphasis on local perspectives. The workshop was areas. conducted in Nepali with simultaneous translations in English and Humli Tibetan language for the

SECTION 2 Workshop objectives

The workshop was designed as a collaborative • Initiate knowledge sharing and dialogue program between the project ‘Himalayan between stakeholders from the local, provincial, connections: melting glaciers, sacred landscapes and federal governments, civil society and mobile technologies in a changing climate’ representatives and researchers (HimalConnect2) and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) • Sensitize policymakers at provincial and based on an agreement between the Department central government levels to the environmental of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages (IKOS) management practices and concerns of the at the University of Oslo, and ICIMOD. This is Namkha Rural Municipality the second of five workshops envisaged by the • Identify possible solutions to the challenges in HimalConnect project and focused on bringing the areas of water, waste, and natural resource together local stakeholders in Nepal. The workshop, management in the Limi Valley of the Namkha which was also supported by The Mountain Institute Rural Municipality (TMI), had the following objectives:

2 HimalConnect is a Research Council of Norway-funded collaborative project between the University of Oslo (UiO), UiT – the Arctic University of Norway, and Cambridge University, with ICIMOD and The Mountain Institute (TMI) as the main cooperation partners in Nepal.

2 PROCEEDINGS SECTION 3 Workshop highlights

TECHNICAL SESSION 1 issues. Hovden also emphasized on the vital need to listen to the voices of the local people in order to Identifying local concerns and devise sustainable solutions for overall development. solutions

THEMATIC SESSION Opening session Water, Waste, and Natural Resource Eklabya Sharma, Deputy Director General, ICIMOD, Management warmly welcomed the workshop participants. This session started with thematic presentations He expressed his happiness in collaborating with on three issues of importance in Limi: water ICIMOD partners and supporting organizations. He management, waste management, and natural stated that the topic of the workshop was relevant resource management. This was followed by group to ICIMOD as it works with both policymakers as discussions (Annex 3 for group members) which well as stakeholders in the field. He stressed on the further deliberated on these issues and identified importance, both at local and national levels, of potential solutions for addressing them (detailed adaptive action. He appreciated that the workshop solutions in Annex 4). would be providing a platform for promoting exchanges between research institutions, development organizations, and local communities. 1. WATER MANAGEMENT While citing that climate change is a global problem, The Himalayan climate is changing fast, and some he said the workshop would play an important of the most important challenges are related to role in developing a road map for addressing water. Astrid Hovden highlighted the issues related environmental problems at the local level. to water management in the Limi Valley. In Limi, Bishnu Lama, Chairperson, Namkha Rural there are problems with floods, while irregular Municipality, acknowledged the HimalConnect precipitation increases the need for irrigation to project and ICIMOD for their support. He said that sustain local agriculture. As for hydropower, it is while many people had come and studied the Limi at present too unstable and weak to provide any Valley, only a few had returned and provided such significant support to people’s livelihoods. Taps for platforms to share their findings and bring about drinking water have recently been installed but developmental changes in these remote areas. without a drainage system, so contaminated spill He stated that since Limi is a remote and difficult water floods the walking paths constituting a health physiographical terrain, there are constraints risk for the local inhabitants. Moreover, water for in terms of knowledge about using its abundant irrigation, hydropower, and drinking comes from natural resources. With a new governance system the same source, suggesting a need for an integrated in place, Lama assured that the local government approach to water management. would be able to contribute towards promoting During the group discussion, the main challenges sustainable development and research in the area. related to water management were identified as He concluded by appreciating ICIMOD’s partnership floods, inadequate irrigation system, and freezing with the Namkha Rural Municipality in order to water channels that render the hydropower and water implement various programmes, including the taps useless during the winter. There were concerns Kailash Confluence for two consecutive years. relating to collaboration and coordination among Astrid Hovden, The Arctic University of Norway the different departments in the various levels of (UiT), introduced the workshop and its objectives. government. Solutions like early warning system, By bringing together all levels of governmental improved irrigation mechanism, and water supply for representatives, technical experts, and the local winter were identified. A holistic water management community, she said the focus was on highlighting strategy was proposed in order to ensure coordination the environmental concerns of the Limi Valley to among the many stakeholders in this sphere. come up with solutions that could address these

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN A CHANGING CLIMATE 3 2. WASTE MANAGEMENT which was difficult to monitor, and transboundary grazing restrictions. Some suggested solutions The introduction of plastic and other non- were to integrate the traditional rules into the local biodegradable waste is a fairly new phenomenon and national laws, developing skills in the areas of for Himalayan communities. Samanta Skrivere, sustainable management and resource use, and Ministry of Waste, presented on the now growing establishing a quarantine office in Hilsa to regulate concern of waste in the Himalaya. the transfer of nature-based goods across the border. In Limi, the quantity of non-biodegradable waste has increased significantly following its overland connection to Pulan County in China, resulting TECHNICAL SESSION 2 in the availability of a variety of packaged foods Communicating local perspectives and consumer goods. Villagers agreed that high quantities of solid waste constitute a health risk in addition to affecting the landscape aesthetics Opening session with consequences for tourism, one of the main David Molden, Director General, ICIMOD, options for local livelihoods. The management appreciated the participation of the local of non-biodegradable waste requires sound community and governmental representatives technical solutions which may be particularly who had come all the way from Limi and Namkha. challenging to implement in remote places with He referred to a similar multi-stakeholder forum poor infrastructure. Such solutions also require in Godavari, facilitated by ICIMOD, where issues psychological shifts. concerning forest, water, and waste management are discussed by the community representatives The main challenges identified by the group in with the local government. He said that this was relation to waste management were an overall in line with the new opportunities that have increase in these entities: plastic wrapped goods, been thrown up by Nepal’s new governance non-biodegradable waste, electronic waste, and system in terms of addressing local issues. He animal carcasses near water sources. The potential also emphasized on the use of simple language solutions that were identified were the following: and avoiding technical jargon. He concluded by awareness raising on waste management; making affirming that the knowledge and solutions from the waste management laws; and developing skills and workshop would be shared across the HKH region. technology for waste recycling. Paljor Tamang, Chairperson, Ward 6, Namkha 3. NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Rural Municipality, shared a brief introduction to the culture of Limi and Namkha, and focused on Riamsara Knapp, University of Cambridge, the significant relationship that existed between the made a presentation on Limi’s traditional system local tradition and culture, and natural resource of managing natural resources. This system management practices. He pointed out that lack involves restrictions on forest use: including a ban of education was a major impediment to local on logging and collecting green firewood from development and governance, particularly for the the restricted areas; protection of sacred trees; restrictions on harvesting medicinal herbs and other non-timber forest products (NTFPs); laying down rules for irrigation; managing pastureland; setting up regulations on harvesting fodder; and “ Limi has a rich cultural history protecting wildlife. However, this traditional system and a significant relationship with is currently being challenged as a result of the country’s new governance system, a spike in cross- nature. Our traditional rules are border trade, and a changing climate. different from those of the state. The group noted that the main challenge with This sometimes results in conflicts regard to natural resource management was the between our communities and conflict between the locally implemented traditional rules and the national forest laws and regulations those from outside in terms of which the local communities were unaware of. resource use and management. Other challenges included the increased pressure ” by external communities on grazing land, youth Paljor Lama outmigration, an extremely vast and remote terrain

4 PROCEEDINGS Tibetan speaking community in Limi who have they generally work in Taklakot, China, where limited Nepali language skills. Limi, being a remote they receive wages up to NPR 2,000 a day. Hence, area, he said, is lagging behind in development and higher levels of human and financial inputs has inadequate government staff as well as low levels are required when it comes to implementing of financial resources. He also said that since Limi development projects in Limi. is bound by traditional rules and regulations which differ from the state regulations, there are conflicts • In terms of managing the water, waste, and between the local and external communities for natural resources of Limi, the approach that is resource management. Hence, he urged for solutions being taken by both governmental and non- to be devised in order to address these pressing issues. governmental institutions is rather sectoral. Coordination and collaboration are necessary Hanna Havnevik, Professor, University of Oslo, in order to synergize both actions and funds for introduced the HimalConnect project and its team. the effective implementation of management She noted that their research in the Limi Valley strategies in Limi. provided an extraordinary opportunity to understand the processes of change and environmental decision- making in the study area. Through the HimalConnect Discussion on thematic presentations project, she envisioned the possibility of furthering interdisciplinary evidence-based research that could Rajendra Prasad Bhari, Secretary, Ministry of inform development interventions and policies in Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives Nepal, Bhutan and, Norway. (MoLMAC), Karnali Province, informed that his ministry has set aside 15 per cent of its budget for the application of solar irrigation techniques in the Thematic session province. Limi could be one of the implementation sites for applying this technique with technical The issues and potential solutions identified by and financial support from the Ministry. He also the group on the previous day were presented to pointed out that in the area of waste management, an additional set of participants who consisted of there is a need to develop a law for the province. representatives of the Government of Nepal from Moreover, the MoLMAC, he said, could provide various ministries at the federal and provincial support for waste management activities such as the levels. In addition to the matters discussed on the composting of biodegradable waste. first day, the group also identified the factors that constituted the overall challenges to environmental Biju Kumar Shrestha, Joint Secretary, National management and climate change adaptation in Planning Commission explained about four types Limi. These were: of financial contributions or grants that could be sanctioned for proposals focusing on provincial and • The communities from Limi and Namkha are local governments in the spheres of agriculture and generally unable to read or write Nepali, hence irrigation. He also briefed about the upcoming month- the levels of awareness relating to government long training programme related to human rights rules and laws on managing natural resources and poverty reduction. He said that several capacity are very low. There is a need to raise awareness building programmes are also in the pipeline for the about such rules through education systems local and provincial governments. Regarding waste – both formal and informal. Moreover, it is management, he suggested conducting cross-border recommended to translate governmental rules discussions with China for the disposal of the solid into the local language, i.e. Tibetan, as well as for waste originating from China. administrative support through government staff who can help with the bureaucratic processes. Bishnu Hari Baral, Section Officer, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration • Limi’s traditional rules are customary laws but (MoFAGA), clarified that the federal government not considered legitimate by non-Limi residents. would be active in formulating policy and A formal recognition of this indigenous coordinating the process of change related to management system by the Government of the federal governance system. He informed the Nepal would contribute to the natural resources participants of the capacity building programmes being better managed in the area. – undertaken by his ministry – related to climate • Limi is vast and remote which is a challenge change and environmental management in which when it comes to access and travel. Moreover, the local governments could also participate. He also the population of youth in Limi is rather low, as said that traditional rules could be integrated into the

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN A CHANGING CLIMATE 5 policies of the local government in order to suit its must be conducted by the local government itself. local needs pertaining to sustainable development. As for incorporating traditional practices into the formal legal framework, he said this would Ram Chandra Khatiwada, Undersecretary, increase their effectiveness and would also thus gain Environment and Biodiversity Division, Ministry recognition from the federal government. of Forests and Environment (MoFE), reiterated the possibility of integrating traditional practices into Chakka Bahadur Lama, Member of Federal the laws of the local government with subsequent Parliament, Humla District, spoke about the approval by the provincial and federal governments. importance of Humla and its unique features to Moreover, a committee could be formed, he said, an audience consisting of provincial and federal to monitor natural resource use and to take key government representatives. He asserted that decisions on its management. He also stated that indigenous crops should be preserved for its rich since the responsibility of managing waste now rests niche value. He expressed his concerns about with the local government, they can create policies duplicitous projects and the lack of coordination around waste management, including framing among the local, provincial, and federal relevant penalties and standards for plastic use. governments, and said that he was willing to play a role in bridging the communication gap between Bijendra Krishna Singh, Undersecretary, Forest the various levels of government. and Watershed Management Division, MoFE, noted that the activities related to water and watershed management in Humla district are carried out by Road map for action the MoLMAC of Karnali province. As there is no separate disaster risk reduction and management In order to coordinate climate change adaptation department at the local government level, he said activities and environmental management the overall coordination of flood and landslide practices among the local, provincial, and federal management for Karnali province is undertaken governments, a road map was developed and from Jajarkot. But he stressed that awareness raising finalized by the workshop participants for Limi. programmes, especially on waste management, This road map is presented in Table 1.

TABLE 1 ROAD MAP OF ACTION FOR LIMI

Action Issue How Time frame

Accessing financial Lack of timely communication and The district-level administrative office to Immediately resources from sharing of relevant information play a major role in providing information. (within one federal and provincial particularly to the local governments. year) Link the local government with the governments to Higher levels of financial resources are provincial and central governments through implement solutions required to implement projects in Limi. mobile phone and internet mechanisms. for Limi.

Developing policies at Limi’s traditional systems are MoFAGA to share the samples of legal Within two the local government not formally recognized by the documents prepared for the local years level. government. governments. Local-level policies and a code of The Namkha Rural Municipality to conduct are required for prepare relevant legal documents under management of water, waste, and the umbrella of provincial and federal natural resources, among others. regulations with adequate administrative support from the provincial government.

Coordination for Capacity building/skills development The federal government to conduct training Within two capacity building required to retain and engage the of trainers (ToTs) at the local level on years youth in Humla. different issues, e.g. on climate change and environment management. The trainers to Need a two-way communication and then provide the subsequent trainings in the coordination at different levels. local language. Establish a network of relevant stakeholders to monitor ongoing projects.

6 PROCEEDINGS Closing session Rajendra Prasad Bhari, Secretary, MoLMAC, Karnali Province, dwelt on the strong Bishnu Lama, Chairperson, Namkha Rural need for coordination among the three levels of Municipality, Humla, appreciated this opportunity government within the new federal system. He said to discuss local concerns and devise solutions with that due to this new governmental structure, the representatives from the provincial and federal implementation of many plans has been delayed governments. He said that although the local at the provincial level, resulting in confusion and government was authorized to make laws, the lack lack of coordination. He also drew attention to the of human resources has limited their ability to do so. need for bottom-up planning for effective local Despite this, Namkha Rural Municipality will work development. to the best of their ability to achieve this. He also Biju Kumar Shrestha, Joint Secretary, National urged the provincial and federal governments to Planning Commission, appreciated the platform take ownership of the accomplishments made by the for bringing together all the three levels of local government, example the roads that currently government for discussion. He lay emphasis on connect Limi to Simikot. Stating that “a prescription seeking on-the-ground solutions in order to make is not possible without a diagnosis,”’ he said that the this platform successful, particularly by building local government can treat minor ailments, but the indigenous capacities. He also advised the Namkha provincial and federal governments must supply the Rural Municipality to apply for currently available remedies for the larger issues. grants which could further help strengthen the relationship between the three levels of government. He concluded by saying that “if we can create a basis for cooperation (between the three levels of government), these two days of workshop “ Many researchers have come will have been successful”. and studied the Limi Valley, but Chakka Bahadur Lama, Member of Federal only few have returned to share Parliament, Humla District, re-emphasized the remoteness and the several difficulties that their findings and bring about Limi and Humla face, which have led to high developmental changes in this rates of outmigration and the subsequent lack of human resources to develop the area. He also remote area. ” highlighted the struggles of the Humli people in their transition from being part of a subsistence Bishnu Lama economy to a market economy without adequate infrastructural development. He said that for rights and responsibilities to be fulfilled, there ought to be adequate human capacity and empowerment at Mahesh Kumar Pokhrel, Assistant Chief District the local level, so the different levels of government Officer, Humla, said that Humla is a unique and must work together to identify and implement geographically diverse place, along with an equally solutions for Humla. diverse sociocultural ethos. He pointed out the many issues confronting Humla, including its remoteness, In her vote of thanks, Hanna Havnevik inadequate communication facilities, lack of a acknowledged the participation of representatives quarantine station for product export, insufficient from all the three levels of governments and human resources in the local governments, and for their inputs and discussions. She envisioned inconsistent flight services. He said that as Humla is that the two-day workshop would contribute to physically distant from the federal government, this bringing about positive development in Limi. workshop provided an opportunity to present some She also thanked the organizing committee of the district’s challenging issues so that it could members, ICIMOD, and all the participants for their get assistance from both the provincial and federal contributions to the workshop. governments.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN A CHANGING CLIMATE 7 Annexes

Annex 1: Programme agenda

DAY 1 – MONDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 2019 Identifying local concerns and solutions

Time Programme Details

09:00–09:30 Registration (Tea will be served) Sarita Joshi and Ujala Rajbhandari

09:30–10:00 Host: Janita Gurung, ICIMOD Opening session Rapporteurs: Sunayana Basnet and Pradyumna Rana Welcome remarks Eklabya Sharma, Deputy Director General, ICIMOD Opening remarks Bishnu Lama, Chairperson, Namkha Rural Municipality Workshop introduction Astrid Hovden, UiT The Arcitc University of Norway Introduction of participants Self introdution Thematic session Rapporteurs: Sanjaya Khatri and Sunayana Basnet Presentation of themes for group discussion: 1. Serena Amatya, Sanjeev Bhuchar, and Astrid Hovden 1. Water 10:00–10:30 2. Hildegard Diemberger, Pradyumna Rana and 2. Waste Samanta Skrivere 3. Natural resource management 3. Janita Gurung and Riamsara Knapp

10:30 Tea break 11:00–12:30 Group work (parallel sessions): Identify challenges, desired outcomes, and possible Moderators/group work led by: solutions

Group 1: Water management Serena Amatya, Sanjeev Bhuchar, and Astrid Hovden

Hildegard Diemberger, Pradyumna Rana and Group 2: Waste management Samanta Skrivere

Group 3: Natural resource management Janita Gurung and Riamsara Knapp

12:30–13:30 Lunch

13:30–14:00 Group work (continued)

14:00–15:00 Presentation of group work with inputs from participants Group 1: Waste management Group 2: Water management Group 3: Natural resource management

15:00–15:20 Tea break

15:20–16:00 Local perspectives on the general challenges Moderators: in environmental management and climate Janita Gurung and Pradyumna Rana change adaption - Round-table discussion on language, Rapporteurs knowledge transmission, coordination Sunayana Basnet and Sanjaya Khatri at different levels of government etc

16:00 Wrap up of Day 1 Moderator: Janita Gurung, ICIMOD

8 PROCEEDINGS DAY 2 – TUESDAY, 1 OCTOBER 2019 Communicating local perspectives

Time Programme Details

09:00–09:30 Registration (Tea will be served) Sarita Joshi and Ujala Rajbhandari 09:30 – 10:30 Inaugural session Host: Janita Gurung, ICIMOD Rapporteurs: Sunayana Basnet and Pradyumna Rana Welcome remarks David Molden, Director General, ICIMOD Opening remarks Bishnu Lama, Chairperson, Namkha Rural Municipality Paljor Tamang, Chairperson – Ward 6, Namkha Rural Municipality Presentation on HimalConnect Hanna Havnevik, University of Oslo Workshop objectives Astrid Hovden, UiT 10:30 – 11:00 Communicating local perspectives Presenters: Tenzing Lama, Tsering Norbu Lama and Sanjaya Khatri Thematic presentation followed by plenary discussion on each theme with provincial and federal government representatives Theme 1: Water management 11:00–11:30 Group photo followed by tea break 11:30–12:00 Communicating local perspectives Moderator: (continued) Pradyumna Rana Theme 2: Waste management 12:00–12:30 Communicating local perspectives Moderator: (continued) Janita Gurung Theme 3: Natural resource management 12:30–13:00 Remarks Rapporteur: – Local government Ujala Rajbhandari – Provincial government – Federal government 13:00–14:00 Lunch 14:00–14:50 Preparing a road map for coordinating Moderator: climate change adaptation and Janita Gurung environmental management at local provincial-federal levels – Round-table discussion 14:50–15:10 Tea break 15:10–18:00 Workshop closing Rapporteurs: Serena Amatya and Sunayana Basnet

Summary and way forward Janita Gurung and Pradyumna Rana, ICIMOD

Closing remarks Representatives from the local government, provincial government, federal government, NGOs, and research organizations (5 min each) Vote of thanks Hanna Havnevik, University of Oslo

18:00 onwards Workshop dinner at Dhokaima, Patan

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN A CHANGING CLIMATE 9 Annex 2: Participant List

Government of Nepal

Bishnu Lama Paljor Tamang Chairperson, Namkha Rural Municipality Ward 6, Chairperson Humla District Namkha Rural Municipality, Humla District Email: [email protected] Ph: 9868311748 Yangyi Lama Konchog Lobsang Tamang Ward 6, Vice Chairperson Ward 6, Member Namkha Rural Municipality, Humla District Namkha Rural Municipality, Humla District Ph: 9869989084 Ph: 9848369314 Kargit Lama Mahesh Kumar Pokhrel Ward 6, Member Assistant District Officer Namkha Rural Municipality, Humla District Humla District Ph: 9866218725 Ph: 9851053077 Niraj Jha Ngawan Namgel Lama Divisional Forest Officer Officer Humla District MoPID, Humla District Ph: 9864797586 Ph: 9848364300 Chakka Bahadur Lama Rajendra Prasad Bhari MP, Humla Secretary Federal Parliament MoLMAC, Karnali Province Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Biju Kumar Shrestha Bishnu Hari Baral Joint Secretary Section Officer National Planning Commission MoFAGA Singha Durbar, Kathmandu Singha Durbar, Kathmandu Email: [email protected] Ph: 9851155527

Bijendra Krishna Singh Ram Chandra Khatiwada Undersecretary Undersecretary Forests & Watershed Management Division Environment and Biodiversity Division MoFE, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu MoFE, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Non-governmental institutions and private sector

Meeta Sainju Pradhan Kishor Rajbhandari Former Director Professor, Tribhuvan University The Mountain Institute, Kathmandu Kirtipur, Kathmandu Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Dilli Poudel Anushiya Shrestha Research Fellow PhD Candidate SIAS, Kathmandu SIAS, Kathmandu Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Sanjaya Khatri Chompel Tamang Research Assistant Secretary, Limi Welfare Society SIAS, Kathmandu Kathmandu Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tenzin Norbu Lama Sagar (Yonten Gyatso) Lama Leader, Limi Youth Society, Kathmandu Research Assistant, Kathmandu Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Tenzing Lama Rinchen Loden Lama Research Assistant, Kathmandu Research Assistant, Kathmandu Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Prawin Adhikari Writer & Translator, Kathmandu Email: [email protected]

10 PROCEEDINGS HimalConnect team

Hanna Havnevik Hildegard Diemberger Professor Research Director of MIASU University of Oslo University of Cambridge Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Astrid Hovden Riamsara Knapp Associate Professor Senior Research Associate UiT The Arctic University of Norway University of Cambridge Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Samanta Skrivere CEO & Founder Ministry of Waste Email: [email protected]

ICIMOD

David Molden Eklabya Sharma Director General Deputy Director General Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Sanjeev Bhuchar Janita Gurung Theme Leader, Ad Interim Programme Coordinator, KSLCDI Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Binaya Pasakhala Pradyumna Rana Governance and Institutions Analyst Climate Change Governance and Adaptation Analyst Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Serena Amatya Sunayana Basnet Research Associate Tourism Research Associate Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Sarita Joshi Ujala Rajbhandari Programme Associate Programme Associate Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Annex 3: Group participants

1) Water management 2) Waste management 3) Natural resource management

Serena Amatya (moderator) Binaya Pasakhala (moderator) Janita Gurung (moderator) Kripa Shrestha (rapporteur) Sunayana Basnet (rapporteur) Sanjaya Khatri (rapporteur) Yangkyi Lama Konchog Lobsang Tamang Paljor Tamang Kargit Lama Bishnu Lama Riamsara Knapp Astrid Hovden Hildegard Diemberger Rinchen Loden Lama Hanna Havnevik Samanta Skrivere Chakka Bahadur Lama Sanjeev Bhuchar Sagar Lama Dilli Poudel Tenzing Lama Kishor Rajbhandari Niraj Jha Ngawan Namgel Lama Tenzin Norbu Lama Meeta Pradhan Chompel Tamang Mahesh Kumar Pokhrel Anushiya Shrestha

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN A CHANGING CLIMATE 11 Annex 4: Solutions identified by groups

1) Water management

Challenges Desired outcomes Actions Stakeholders

Flash floods Agricultural land, 1. Improved preparedness for flash floods Local communities/user groups; local or floods crops and other (EWS, data monitoring) leaders; village assets/ 2. Mitigate risk: structural measures like local government; infrastructure are gabion wall, nature-based solutions provincial government (MoPID – protected from flash – riverbank stabilization, sloping land Drinking Water, Irrigation and Energy floods/floods risk management Development Department)

Lack of Increased agricultural 1. Conduct a feasibility study for the entire RVWRMP; local leaders; local improved productivity with less system, including intake, conveyance, use, government; MoPID (Drinking Water, irrigation labour and financial and hydropower Irrigation and Energy Development system inputs 2. Strengthen irrigation water user groups Department); MoLMAC with the GESI approach 3. Leverage programmes and funds for improved irrigation systems (especially government programmes) 4. Design irrigation systems (surface/ subsurface) for protection against flash floods/floods risk

Inadequate Integrated water 1. Preparing integrated and gender- Local leaders; local government; multi- resource planning responsive water resource management provincial government; Limi Welfare stakeholder plans for the villages, inclusive of Society collaboration stakeholder mapping in water 2. Preparing plans and mainstreaming them resource management

Lack of access Reliable access to 1. Insulation of supply system (pipes and Local communities; local to water water during winter tanks) government; MoPID (Drinking Water, during winter for drinking and 2. Exploring geothermal heating Irrigation and Energy Development because of hdyropower Department) 3. Rainwater/snow water harvesting water freezing in the pipes

Lack of Safe disposal or reuse 1. Installing a proper drainage system WASH sector; local communities; waste water of waste water with treatment measures (water plants as MoPID; MoLMAC management biological treatment option; soak pits) 2. Reuse of waste water

12 PROCEEDINGS 2) Waste management

Desired Challenges Actions Stakeholders outcomes Increase in the use of Build an 1. Study the types and amount of waste generated MoCTCA goods packaged in non- environment- 2. Raise awareness among the local communities and MoFA biodegradable plastic friendly society tourists on solid waste management MoFE MoITFE Random disposal of Minimize 1. Develop and implement rules/guidelines for waste NTB non-biodegradable waste haphazard management, including collection, disposal, and processing WMC (plastic, glass bottles, tin, disposal of non- 2. Levy tax from tourists for waste management etc.) and animal carcasses biodegradable 3. Establish and operate a centre for waste processing and waste reuse 4. Form necessary committees for waste management

Increase in the amount Establish 1. Training for waste management of electric and electronic and operate 2. Avail technology and logistics for waste management, e.g. waste waste-based to grind glass bottles for use as construction material microenterprises 3. Approach waste reuse enterprises in China to buy processed (cleaned) non-biodegradable and e-waste

3) Natural resource management

Challenges Desired outcomes Actions Stakeholders

Limi’s traditional rules for Formal recognition of 1. Interaction programme between the Forest District & Local: managing natural the traditional system Office and Limi community members Rural Municipality resources are not considered of managing natural 2. Compare Limi’s traditional rules and Agriculture legitimate by non-residents resources government’s formal rules Knowledge Centre who engage in illegal hunting Chief District Officer 3. Assess establishment of community forests and resource extraction Divisional Forest (to include grazing lands) Office Livestock Expert Fewer youth in Limi due 1. Increase fodder production, e.g. turnip Centre to attractive wages in 2. Improve livestock health – veterinary services China (Taklakot) 3. Skill development of local community Province: Prosperity through members on livestock production MoITFE livestock (yak and Restricted transboundary dimzo) production 1. Establish a quarantine office at Hilsa for Federal: grazing (to China) systems trading of livestock and livestock products MoALD Extremely vast and remote (plus agricultural products) to China MoFE area (difficult to manage and monitor) Increasing pressure from 1. Strengthen law enforcement – by including Non-governmental: outsiders (the Hepka, community members during patrols Conservation Chauganphaya and Dharapuri (e.g. community- based anti-poaching Units and development communities) on grazing land – as in Bardia) organizations

Local communities unaware Sustainable 1. Raising awareness on: of forest/natural resource natural resource • Importance/significance of biodiversity rules and regulations management • Government regulations and use • Sustainable harvesting 2. Passing the ABS Bill by Parliament which will also support biodiversity documentation at the community level

Scientific forest management 1. Commercial cultivation of medicinal plants practices not followed (piloting with katuki and ban lasoon)

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN A CHANGING CLIMATE 13 ICIMOD gratefully acknowledges the support of its core donors: the Governments of Afghanistan, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Norway, Pakistan, Sweden, and Switzerland.

14 RESOURCE BOOK / ANNEXES