Regional Workshop: Cross-learning from the Himalica Project in the Kangchenjunga Landscape

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and its local partner The Environment Conservation and Development Forum (ECDF) have been implementing the EU-funded Support to Rural Livelihoods and Climate Change Adaptation in the Himalayas (Himalica) pilot project in Taplejung, Nepal for the last three years.

The Himalica pilot was designed to address some of the key issues flagged by the Kangchenjunga Landscape Conservation and Development Initiative (KLCDI) in cardamom-alder agroforestry system.

The pilot aims to build the resilience of farming systems and provide multiple benefits that can improve the livelihoods and incomes of the marginal mountain farmers of Taplejung through the promotion of climate-resilient practices on large cardamom, institutional strengthening, and awareness raising.

It is also conducting an action research on the ecosystem health and the shifting of the treeline and exploring opportunities to generate income through the promotion of ICT-assisted spice garden tourism in the Kangchenjunga Landscape.

Rationale

The Himalica programme ends December 2017; so this provides a perfect opportunity to share the lessons generated by the pilot, action research and ecosystem management components of the project with wider stakeholders.

Hence, the proposed regional cross-learning workshop will bring all relevant organizations and stakeholders from Nepal, India and Bhutan on one platform, allowing them to share success stories and lessons learnt on community resilience building. It will also brainstorm ideas for upscaling good practices and lessons learnt to other districts in Nepal, India (Sikkim and Darjeeling) and Western/Southern Bhutan.

Participants

Relevant individuals and organizations from the transboundary Kangchenjunga Landscape – especially those working in cardamom-alder agro-forestry system – as well as policy makers and planners from Nepal, India and Bhutan will attend the workshop.