KATHMANDU, JANUARY 20
The government on Monday formally launched Living Sagarmatha: Nepal Mountain Resilience Strategy, a comprehensive national framework aimed at strengthening the resilience of Nepal's mountain ecosystems and communities in the face of accelerating climate change.
The strategy was unveiled during a National Validation Workshop organised by the Ministry of Forests and Environment, with coordination support from the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office and technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Speaking at the event, Ministry Secretary Govinda Prasad Sharma said the strategy is expected to help improve the living standards of mountain communities while ensuring the long-term protection of fragile natural resources. He said the government is committed to moving beyond fragmented, sector-based interventions towards a unified, long-term approach to mountain conservation and development.
Mitigation of climate change impacts, conservation of mountain biodiversity, sustainable forest management, protection of water resources and safeguarding local livelihoods form the core pillars of the strategy. It also prioritises the creation of economic opportunities through mountain agriculture, medicinal herb production, tourism promotion, renewable energy and value-chain development of local products.
Mountains cover more than 80 percent of Nepal's territory and play a crucial role in regional water security, biodiversity conservation, food systems and climate regulation across South Asia. However, despite their global importance, mountain regions have historically remained under-represented in climate finance and national adaptation planning.
Addressing the workshop, Ken Shimizu, FAO Representative for Nepal and Bhutan, described Living Sagarmatha as a timely and critical document for both national planning and global mountain advocacy. He stressed the need for dedicated investment to empower mountain communities and link their local actions with global climate efforts, noting growing scientific concerns over reduced snowfall, environmental degradation and rising risks to Himalayan livelihoods.
The strategy offers a single national vision and investment framework for mountain resilience over the next decade, aligned with Nepal's development priorities and global commitments under the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It outlines 35 priority interventions with an estimated investment requirement of USD 4.08 billion.
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Nepal said the strategy carries significance beyond national boundaries. "Sagarmatha is not only Nepal's asset but a shared treasure for South Asia and beyond," she said, adding that the framework calls for collective responsibility and concrete action to protect mountain ecosystems.
The framework emphasises biodiversity protection and restoration, strengthened monitoring of glaciers and water systems, improved early-warning mechanisms and disaster risk reduction. It also promotes resilient mountain economies through nature-based tourism, green enterprises, agroforestry and support for high-altitude livelihoods, while placing strong emphasis on social inclusion, Indigenous knowledge, youth engagement and institutional coordination.
Minister for Forests and Environment Madhav Prasad Chaulagain said the strategy reflects Nepal's national resolve to protect its mountains through clear timelines, strong coordination and sustained investment. "We are committed to ensuring that Living Sagarmatha becomes a living framework that delivers real benefits for mountain communities and future generations," he said.
The workshop also featured a technical panel discussion highlighting water as the central lifeline connecting ecosystems, communities and economies across Nepal, underscoring the need for integrated resource management and long-term policy planning.
The national validation workshop marks a key step towards the formal endorsement and implementation of Living Sagarmatha, paving the way for coordinated programmes, strengthened institutions and mobilisation of domestic and international financing.
