In the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH)—often called the “Third Pole”—towering glaciers, forests and vast rangelands sustain biodiversity, feed Asia’s great rivers, and support the livelihoods of mountain communities.

Glaciers are the frozen lifelines that store and release freshwater to nearly two billion people downstream. They regulate river flows, buffer against droughts, and stabilise weather patterns. Yet these ice reserves are melting at unprecedented rates due to global warming, black carbon pollution, and shifting precipitation patterns. Without urgent action, the HKH could lose up to 80% of its glaciers by the end of this century, threatening water security, increasing the risks of natural hazards, and displacing vulnerable communities.

2025 marks the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation (IYGP), declared by the United Nations and championed by the Republic of Tajikistan. This global observance calls for heightened scientific research, policy advocacy, and grassroots action to safeguard the world’s glaciers for present and future generations.

Rangelands, equally vital yet often overlooked, cover over half of the HKH’s land area. They are home to rich biodiversity, traditional pastoralist cultures, and millions of livestock that underpin local economies. Healthy rangelands protect watersheds, provide habitat for wildlife, store carbon, and prevent soil erosion. But these ecosystems are under mounting pressure from overgrazing, land degradation, and the impacts of climate change—placing pastoralist communities and mountain biodiversity at great risk.

In recognition of the crucial role of these landscapes, the United Nations has declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP). This landmark observance is an opportunity to raise awareness, mobilise investment, and champion the rights and resilience of pastoralists and rangeland communities worldwide—especially in vulnerable mountain regions like the HKH.

Together, glaciers and rangelands form the backbone of the HKH’s ecological and cultural resilience. Protecting them is not just an environmental imperative; it is a fight for climate justice, food security, and sustainable mountain livelihoods.

The HKH region extends over 3,500 km, from Afghanistan in the west to Myanmar in the east and crossing Pakistan, India, China, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. All eight HKH nations are ICIMOD’s regional member countries.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Open to outstanding individuals or organisations working with ICIMOD partners or within ICIMOD’s Regional Member Countries (RMCs).
• Nominees must demonstrate clear, documented impacts at the grassroots or community level.
• Activities must show potential for scalability, sustainability, and inspire wider regional learning.

How to Nominate:

If you know a changemaker working at the grassroots in HKH nations (Nepal, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, or Afghanistan), nominate them today by filling out this form.