Nepal Launches Faith-Led Initiative to Protect High Mountain Rangelands in Dolpa

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Nepal Launches Faith-Led Initiative to Protect High Mountain Rangelands in Dolpa

Nepal Launches Faith-Led Initiative to Protect High Mountain Rangelands in Dolpa

Ecosphere News Desk 2026-03-20 07:59:00

Kathmandu, Nepal - The Government of Nepal, in collaboration with WWF Nepal, has officially launched a new four-year conservation initiative titled “Reviving Faith Leadership for High Mountains Rangeland Conservation in Nepal.” The project aims to protect fragile high-altitude rangeland ecosystems in Upper Dolpa while strengthening local livelihoods and preserving cultural heritage.
Upper Dolpa, one of Nepal’s most remote Himalayan regions, is known for its unique biodiversity, including the iconic snow leopard, as well as its deep-rooted cultural and spiritual traditions. However, these rangelands are increasingly under pressure from climate change, unsustainable resource use, and socio-economic challenges.
The newly launched initiative seeks to address these issues through an innovative approach that integrates indigenous knowledge systems, faith-based leadership, and modern scientific practices. By engaging local religious and community leaders, the project aims to foster stewardship of natural resources rooted in cultural values and long-standing traditions.
Funded by the UK government under the Darwin Initiative, the project is designed to create a community-led and replicable model for sustainable rangeland management. It emphasizes improving pasture health, conserving wildlife habitats, and enhancing the resilience of local communities who depend on these ecosystems for their livelihoods.
Officials highlighted that the initiative not only focuses on environmental conservation but also seeks to strengthen socio-cultural systems that have historically guided sustainable living in high mountain regions. By bridging traditional wisdom with modern conservation science, the project aspires to ensure long-term ecological balance and community well-being.
This effort reflects a growing recognition that effective conservation in fragile mountain ecosystems requires inclusive approaches that value both nature and culture. If successful, the model developed in Dolpa could be expanded to other high-altitude regions across Nepal and beyond.

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