Transboundary approaches to sustainable forest management for enhancing climate resilience and reducing disaster risk in the Himalayas (TRANSMIT) project

Background

The mountain forest areas of Western Himalayas have experienced forest fire as a major hazard in recent decades. The combined effects of climate variability, fuel accumulation due to reduced dependency on subsistence forest resources, geographical complexities and highly flammable tree species, such as pine, have increased the incidence and severity of forest fires annually in the area. This has resulted in forest degradation, altered ecosystem dynamics and affected the natural regeneration of fire-resilient native species. Consequently, local livelihoods and infrastructures of forest-dependent and vulnerable groups, particularly women and disadvantaged communities, are severely affected by those impacts.

In this context, Transboundary approaches to sustainable forest management for enhancing climate resilience and reducing disaster risk in the Himalayas (TRANSMIT) project is under implementation, aiming to improve the sustainable management of mountain forests in the Western Himalayas through evidence-based decision-making with local stakeholders, while informing policy at provincial and national scales. Implemented in the transboundary Mahakali/Sharda river basin between Nepal and India by a consortium of Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (UGOE), United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), Global Fire Monitoring Centre (GFMC), International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), ForestAction Nepal (FAN), and Forest Fire Management Chapter (NFMC).

ICIMOD, in collaboration with the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS) and ForestAction Nepal (FAN), is organising an inception workshop and field visit of the TRANSMIT project in Nepal- funded by the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH). The inception workshop in Dhangadi aims to bring together consortium partners and key stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organisations, community-based organisations, academic institutions, and local media to develop a shared understanding and align on the project’s scope, approach, and expected outcomes. Following the inception meeting, there will be field visits to the project sites of Kanchanpur, Dadeldhura, and Darchula districts of Sudurpaschim Province, Nepal. The field visit focuses on consultations with stakeholders to understand the local context, validate the remotely gathered information, and foster a shared commitment to adaptive, context-sensitive implementation throughout the project’s duration.

Objectives

The objectives of the event are:

• To share the concept, research plan, and activities of TRANSMIT project.
• To understand the perspectives, experience, and ongoing efforts of stakeholders regarding sustainable forest management for enhancing climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.
• To foster coordination and shared commitment for adaptive, context-sensitive implementation of the project.
• To gain real insights of project sites through field visits and community interactions.

Expected Outputs:

1. Shared understanding among stakeholders of the concept, research plan, and activities of the TRANSMIT project.
2. Documented perspectives, experiences, and ongoing efforts of stakeholders regarding sustainable forest management for enhancing climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.
3. Established coordination and shared commitment for adaptive, context-sensitive implementation of the project.
4. Real insights gained from project sites through field visits and community interactions.

Agenda for Inception workshop in Nepal (12th June 2026)