Presentation on ICIMOD ( International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development)

Presentation on icimod living mountain lab

1. The Living Mountain Lab (formerly known as the ICIMOD Knowledge Park at Godavari) supports ICIMOD’s focus on innovating and demonstrating sustainable technologies, and conservation of natural resources. ICIMOD Living Mountain Lab

2. Overview: The Lab provides a practical pendant to the often more theoretical activities of the Centre. It is a place where different technologies, and farming and other practices useful for sustainable development can be tested, selected, and demonstrated; where farmers and those who work with them can be trained; and which can serve as a repository for plant germplasm resources and associated floral and faunal biodiversity. Location : Satdobato -Godavari Rd, Godawari 44709 Altitude: 1540 - 1800 masl ; Area: 30 ha Establishment : Set up in March 1993 on 30 hectares of land . Temperature: 22. 0°C-12.4°C Introduction

3. To test and modify technologies and methodologies for sustainable land use and management of natural resources appropriate for all or part of the HKH region. To demonstrate viable options for the rehabilitation of degraded lands and sustainable mountain agriculture To collect germplasms of multipurpose plants and cash plants for the HKH region To provide training facilities to improve the skills and the technical knowledge of farmers, development workers, and members of collaborating institutions in new and proven technologies and approaches for sustainable land use and income generation in the HKH region Objectives

4. Sloping Agricultural Land Technology (SALT ) Green Manure/Cover Crops/Mulching Shelter/Protection Belts Biodynamic composting Effective microorganisms (EM) technology and EM composting Pusa vermicomposting Natural spring water harvesting Roof top rain water harvesting Gravity sprinkler irrigation Drip Irrigation Beekeeping Animal Husbandry ICIMOD Godawari Facilities

5. Vegetation management Soil management Water management Income generation through high-value cash crops, horticulture, and beekeeping Livestock and fish Biodiversity Renewable energy technologies Research Focus

6. Field Visit Purpose : The purpose of this field visit was to learn about the alternate source of energy. It helped us learn how to conserver our forests. Locations Visited: Compost manure Medicinal herbs Alternative source-solar equipment Briquette Meteorological station Rain water harvesting Hydroelectricity RAM pump Fish & Animal farming Wetland ecosystem

7. Data Collection Methods : We were taken to many sites during the field visit. We were also accompanied by field guides who gave us information on the many sites we visited and their principles. Challenges and Opportunities : This region faces critical environmental challenges such as glacial retreat, water scarcity, deforestation, land degradation, natural disasters, air pollution, and biodiversity loss. Climate change intensifies these issues, impacting water resources, biodiversity, and community resilience . Local Communities have various socioeconomic challenges, including poverty, limited economic opportunities, inadequate infrastructure, and restricted access to education and healthcare. The region faces issues of gender inequality, environmental degradation, and vulnerability to climate impacts. O pportunities for sustainable development and conservation lie in eco-tourism, agroforestry, and sustainable agriculture practices. The region's potential for renewable energy, particularly hydropower, can address energy access challenges while promoting environmental sustainability. Engaging in community-based conservation initiatives, biodiversity protection, and educational programs can empower locals and foster a sense of responsibility towards the environment.

8. Local :The Government of Nepal is a founding member of ICIMOD, along with seven other member states. Nepal has been a partner of ICIMOD since its inception and has been helping to meet its major objectives of poverty alleviation and environmental conservation in the Hindu Kush Himalayas. The Government of Nepal contributes to core support to ICIMOD. National Planning Commission (NPC) is the designated nodal agency. Nepal and ICIMOD has been working in the area of capacity building, institutional strengthening, internships, research and demonstration, and regional and international workshops and conferences, among other activities . Along with the eight regional member countries of the Hindu Kush Himalayas Afghanistan , Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan, there are also non-HKH agencies which have partnered with ICIMOD including IUCN, JAXA, EU, United Nations University, NASA , etc. Collaborations and Partnerships

9. Key Findings Low cost water storage pond The tank is constructed by excavating soil and compacting the floor and smoothing the side walls. To prevent leakage, the floor is levelled off with gravel and pebbles, and the floor and side walls plastered with a mixture of red soil, sand, and cement Plastic film technology (plastic mulching) Plastic film technology, sometimes called plastic mulching, is an important breakthrough that can transform traditional agriculture into modern agriculture by helping to circumvent many of the limitations of temperature and moisture . Siri cow Siri Cow Siri is indigenous cattle of mid-Himalayas (Nepal, India, Bhutan). These cattle are adapted to local conditions, disease-resistant, require low input, and produce on average 3 litres of milk/ day! In addition, the urine for Siri is proven efficient for making Biopesticides and dung for Biogas . Unfortunately , the pure-bred Siri is under threat of extinction due to the drive for crossbreeding with exotic cattle. Meteorological monitoring A meteorological monitoring station was set up at the site in 1995 at an elevation of 1,634 m. Air temperature, wind speed and direction, relative humidity, precipitation, evaporation, solar radiation, and sunshine duration are recorded manually on a daily basis, and from an automatic weather station on a 2-hourly basis.

10. Conclusion ICIMOD's Mission is to enable and facilitate the equitable and sustainable well-being of the people of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas by supporting sustainable mountain development through active regional cooperation.The Lab provides a practical pendant to the often more theoretical activities of the Centre. It is a place where different technologies, and farming and other practices useful for sustainable development can be tested, selected, and demonstrated; where farmers and those who work with them can be trained; and which can serve as a repository for plant germplasm resources and associated floral and faunal biodiversity.The number of approaches being tested and demonstrated has increased over time, with the aim of covering all the different aspects involved in a genuinely integrated approach to mountain development and agriculture. The most recent development has been a renewed focus on community outreach, with off-site demonstration and training activities in the communities of the Phulchowki watershed in collaboration with a partner NGO.

11. I would like to thank my school for taking me to this wonderful and educational trip. This trip helped me gain a lot of knowledge on the current environmental state of Nepal. I would also like to thank my teachers who guided us throughout this trip. Their guidance helped understand what can be done to conserver our forests. Lastly I would like to thank my friends who helped me throughout the trip and this project Acknowledgement

12. References icimod.org/living-mountain-lab / prm.icimod.org/Documents/List%20of%20ICIMOD%20Partners.pdf blog.icimod.org wikipedia