Mountain communities from the Gandaki Province unite for climate justice and resilience

In a powerful display of solidarity and urgent concern, local and provincial stakeholders gathered in Tuse village, Gandaki Province, for "Himalayas Talk: The Voice of Himalaya Parbat". Organized by Mountain Partnership member Save Our Himalaya First Nepal (SOHFN), in collaboration with over a dozen regional stakeholders, this dialogue on 10 May aimed to address the escalating impacts of climate change in Nepal’s highly vulnerable Gandaki region and elevate national and international awareness on disaster management. 

The event highlighted 14 years of direct and severe impacts from global warming and climate change. Community members vividly recalled devastating events such as the 2015 Seti River flood in Kharapani, which claimed 72 lives, and the 2012 Seti Flash Flood, which resulted in 74 fatalities. More recent incidents, including glacial lake outbursts, rapid glacier flows in Mustang, and widespread damage from unexpected post-monsoon rainfall, further underscore the region's extreme vulnerability. 

The dialogue concluded with an 11-point declaration committing to joint climate action, emphasizing climate justice, adaptation and sustainable development. It called for global cooperation, especially a "mountain to ocean approach" linking mountainous and coastal countries, and increased support to protect the Himalayas beyond Nepal’s solo efforts. Key priorities include securing climate finance for Nepal’s adaptation plans, launching national projects like the "Mountain Economic Corridor" and "Front Himalaya Trail" to boost local economies and tourism, ensuring fair carbon trading benefits for communities, and establishing a well-funded, science-based mechanism to tackle climate disasters across all provinces. 

Some 200 residents participated in the dialogue, alongside government representatives from Gandaki Province and Pokhara Metropolitan City, experts and civil society organizations. The collective voice from Gandaki represents a powerful plea for urgent global attention and action to protect the Himalayas and ensure the resilience of its communities.