Back to news
14 Mar 2018 | Press releases

Tackling poverty in a rapidly changing world: Experts recommend a collective response to common ecosystem risks

3 mins Read

70% Complete

South Asia faces the challenge of tackling persistent poverty at a time of rapid and large-scale changes in social, environmental, and economic conditions. A fairer, more equitable approach to governing environmental resources will be critical to ending poverty in the region. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and the UK’s Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation (ESPA) programme, in close partnership with national governments, have pursued practical ways to achieve wellbeing for the poorest and environmental sustainability through research and knowledge programmes in South Asia.

All of us rely on the natural environment for our survival and billions of people still rely principally on the environment for their livelihoods and other aspects of wellbeing. The dependence of the world’s poorest people on the environment and their contribution to its stewardship are often ‘hidden’ in public debates and decision-making processes.

ICIMOD with GoN’s Ministry of Forests and Environment and ESPA bring 80 regional and global researchers together to deliberate on effective approaches to some of the most pressing issues in ecosystem services and poverty alleviation in the HKHPhoto: Jitendra Raj Bajracharya/ICIMOD.

Together with Nepal’s Ministry of Forests and Environment, the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) Implementation Centre, ICIMOD and ESPA conducted a Regional Symposium on Ecosystem Services for Poverty Alleviation in Kathmandu from 13–14 March 2018. The event brought together 80 researchers from South Asia and around the globe to discuss effective approaches to ecosystem services governance for poverty alleviation.

Secretary of Nepal’s Ministry of Forests and Environment, Yubak Dhoj GC, commended the platform provided by the symposium as a “collective response to the common threat to ecosystems – the forests, wetlands, and agriculture areas.” He stated that policy interventions, institutional support, and research are key to shaping effective ecosystem services.

Yubak Dhoj GC, Secretary, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Nepal during his inaugural remarks.

ICIMOD’s Director of Strategic Cooperation Basanta Shrestha said, “We need to be able to understand current challenges to ecosystems in order to work towards effective and innovative solutions on the ground, many of which are transboundary in nature. We also need to bring research findings and knowledge into action, and upscale them as development efforts.”

ESPA’s Director Kate Schreckenberg said: “We need better social and ecological assessments of decision-making over natural resources, to paint a clear picture of who benefits and who bears the costs of environmental decisions. Trade-offs and any potential human costs must be understood and explicitly addressed through open, just, and democratic processes. The ESPA approach is not easy but it is exciting and offers promise for the future.”

Sindhu Dhungana, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Nepal during his keynote speech on ecosystem services and poverty alleviationPhoto: Jitendra Raj Bajracharya/ICIMOD.

The symposium focused on interlinkages among ecosystems, poverty, and wellbeing; governance, policy, and institutions; complexity and social change; valuation of ecosystem services; rewarding environmental stewardship; and achieving development impact through research. Participants also identified key insights and practical tools for managing the complex interactions between changing ecosystems and human migration.

ICIMOD launched two books on ecosystem services in the HKH during the event: Wetlands in the Himalaya: Securing Services for Livelihoods, and Incentives for Ecosystem Services in the Himalayas: A cookbook for Emerging IES Practitioners in the Region

In closing, ESPA Director Kate Schreckenberg said, “If we are going to overcome poverty and environmental degradation and enable everyone in society to lead productive, fulfilling lives, we need to move beyond a sectoral focus and look at the bigger natural and social picture. ESPA encourages recognition of different people’s rights and values and how they access the environment to achieve their wellbeing.”

In the wake of the tragic loss of lives in the US Bangla Airways incident at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International airport on 12 March 2018, organizers dedicated the two-day event in honour of the individuals who lost their lives. Two of the deceased were employed at the National Planning Commission of Bangladesh, and on their way to participate in this symposium.

Stay current

Stay up to date on what’s happening around the HKH with our most recent publications and find out how you can help by subscribing to our mailing list.

Sign Up

Related contents

Continue exploring this topic

30 Jul 2025 Press releases
FCDO-backed study in Bhutan shows improved stoves can cut fuelwood use by up to 50%

Improved stoves for space heating tested in Bhutan's Haa district slash fuelwood use by up to 50%, according to initial ...

30 Sep 2015 Press releases
Design manual launched to support the construction of stronger and cleaner brick kilns in Nepal

The “Design Manual for Improved Fixed Chimney Zig-Zag Brick Kilns” has been released by Honorable Minister Mahesh Basnet, Ministry of ...

20 Dec 2019 Press releases
In service of mountains and people

Breaker of taboos Didar Ali, one of the founding members of the Bulbulik Heritage Centre in Gulmit, Gilgit-Baltistan Pakistan, has dedicated himself to ...

11 Aug 2017 Press releases
Experts emphasize climate-resilient and gender-smart agricultural practices and technologies

[caption id="attachment_7161" align="aligncenter" width="560"] Participants of the regional conference pose for a group ...

8 Aug 2011 Press releases
Youth Forum prepares tomorrow’s leaders to address climate change adaptation and the mountain agenda

A week-long training and knowledge sharing workshop for young people from 17 Asian countries opened today in Kathmandu, helping to ...

18 Feb 2016 Press releases
Towards finalisation of the Renewable Natural Resources (RNR) marketing policy of Bhutan 2016

‘The Government of Bhutan would like to transform Bhutanese agriculture from subsistence ...

5 Feb 2024 Press releases
Scientists have declared the Hindu Kush Himalaya, one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, a ‘biosphere on the brink’

B-roll, spokespeople available ICIMOD experts call for bold action and urgent finance to prevent collapse of nature in High Mountain Asia ...

12 Nov 2014 Press releases
Experts come together to find climate change adaptation solutions beyond boundaries in the Hindu Kush Himalayas

Experts from the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region and around the world came together to map new ways forward for sharing ...