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Meet the Steering Committee: KIRDARC

08.01.2024

The Mountain Partnership is guided by an 18-member Steering Committee that supports the implementation of the 'Mountain Agenda' and tracks the achievements and impacts of their respective electoral groups.

In the new series "Meet the Steering Committee", we are interviewing the members of the current Steering Committee, which was elected at the 6th Global Meeting of the Mountain Partnership in 2022.

In this interview with Geeta Pandey, Director of Policy Advocacy and Research at the Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Center (KIRDARC) in Nepal, Geeta describes how KIRDARC promotes sustainable mountain development and mountain partnership among members belonging to the Major Group Organizations of Asia and the Pacific electoral group.

Geeta, please tell us about KIRDARC – what does your organization do and how is its mission related to mountains?

KIRDARC was established 24 years ago in Nepal's mountainous Karnali Province to fight marginalization and inequality, with a vision for a just and prosperous society. We work closely with community groups and institutions to build their capacity and enable them to exercise their rights.

Our organization emphasizes community empowerment and self-governance. It engages with multiple stakeholders to enhance the efficiency of service delivery, such as building healthcare facilities, conducting farmer trainings, and supporting rural mountain schools.

KIRDARC promotes the overall development and well-being of communities residing in Karnali's mountainous areas. It works on projects that aim to improve the livelihoods of mountain communities, focusing on sustainable agriculture, income generation and natural resource management practices that are specific to mountainous terrains.

Mountain regions are prone to natural disasters such as landslides, avalanches and earthquakes. For this reason, KIRDARC often works on disaster risk reduction programmes to help mountain communities build resilience and mitigate the impacts of such events.

Why do mountains matter to you personally and to your culture?

Nepal is home to parts of the towering Himalayas, including Mount Everest, the world's highest peak. These mountains are revered in Buddhism and Hinduism, Nepal's predominant religions, and are often associated with deities and sacred sites.

Nepal's mountain landscapes, particularly the Himalayas, attract tourists from around the world. Trekkers, mountaineers and adventure enthusiasts visit Nepal, contributing significantly to the country's economy and cultural exchange.

Mountains are where traditional farming techniques like terracing and the cultivation of unique high-altitude crops have evolved. They provide a critical source of livelihoods for many communities.

What is KIRDARC doing to promote sustainable mountain development?

At KIRDARC, we are actively promoting sustainable farming practices suitable for mountainous areas. In 2022–2023, KIRDARC supported more than 8 500 families through capacity development and technical inputs to promote resilient agricultural practices. We encourage mountain communities to diversify their income sources and support the creation of small enterprises. Additionally, we help develop strategies and practices that support local communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.

For example, KIRDARC is implementing the USAID-funded BHAKARI project in the rural municipalities of Tatopani and Tila in Nepal's Jumla district. The project is tackling issues such as limited access to climate-smart irrigation technologies, insufficient market linkages and drought through the promotion of fruit sapling planting, developing drought-resistant crop production with market connections, bioengineering and climate-smart irrigation techniques. The activities have achieved several results, including the registration of 34 farmer groups, the establishment of 4 integrated pest management learning centres and 2 multipurpose nurseries, and the promotion of organic farming practices, among other successes. The living standards and livelihoods of 3 000 families have been improved.

How long have you been a member of the Mountain Partnership? What is the main benefit of being part of the Mountain Partnership?

KIRDARC has been a member of the Mountain Partnership since 2014. One of the standout advantages of the Mountain Partnership is its role as a catalyst for advocacy. Through the Mountain Partnership, member countries and organizations – including KIRDARC – have found a unified platform to champion recognition of mountains' utmost importance, both at the national and international levels. Our joint advocacy initiatives have contributed to raising awareness, shaping policies and garnering support for the conservation and advancement of mountain regions.

Furthermore, our affiliation with the Mountain Partnership has amplified the international visibility and acknowledgment of our contributions to mountain development. This recognition underscores the tireless efforts of KIRDARC and reaffirms our position as a pivotal contributor to global endeavours aimed at safeguarding mountain communities and ecosystems.

As a long-standing member of the Mountain Partnership Steering Committee, what objectives do you have for your electoral group – major group organizations of Asia and the Pacific – to increase engagement?

We have a few objectives to increase engagement and promote sustainable mountain development in the region. We advocate for policies and regulations that support sustainable mountain development at local, regional and national levels. Simultaneously, we work to strengthen the capacity of mountain communities, local organizations and government agencies to implement sustainable development initiatives. Furthermore, we foster research, collaboration and knowledge sharing related to mountain development between organizations, government agencies and international partners.

In support of these goals, KIRDARC has facilitated many meetings across the major groups of the Mountain Partnership Asia and the Pacific electoral group. There have been online meetings and a regular exchange of emails. We have also held celebrations for International Mountain Day, most recently with a side event during the 2023 UN Climate Change Conference on the importance of engaging mountain communities to restore and conserve mountain ecosystems.

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