KATHMANDU, AUGUST 19
Dhankuta Municipality recently signed a letter of intent with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) for the implementation of the Integrated Climate Adaptation Solution for the Hindu Kush Himalaya (Hi-CAS) project.
Dhankuta Mayor Chintan Tamang, ICIMOD Director General Pema Gyamtsho and CEAPRED Executive Director Jai Mukunda Khanal signed the letter of intent at a programme held in Khumaltar, Lalitpur, last week.
The project, which began in March 2026 with support from Global Affairs Canada, aims to reduce locally identified climate risks by integrating gender equality and social inclusion, water-source protection, renewable energy and agricultural biodiversity conservation.
Led by ICIMOD in collaboration with the Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Policy Research, Extension and Development (CEAPRED), the project is being implemented in Ward 8 of Dhankuta Municipality and Wards 1 and 2 of Roshi Rural Municipality in Kavrepalanchok.
The project also seeks to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable communities, livelihoods, ecosystems and agricultural biodiversity. It will focus on watershed management, renewable energy to improve irrigation access, locally identified climate risks and agricultural biodiversity conservation.
Hi-CAS Senior Project Coordinator Jessica Fulwood Thomas stressed the importance of locally led adaptation and linking climate adaptation measures with local needs and priorities.
The letter of intent is expected to clarify the roles and responsibilities of project partners and help integrate climate adaptation measures into local governments' plans, priorities and budgets.
ICIMOD Director General Gyamtsho said climate change impacts are often felt more strongly by women and indigenous communities. He said the participation of Dhankuta and Roshi was important to strengthen the resilience of women, adolescent girls, indigenous peoples and other marginalised groups.
The project is funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada and will continue until the end of 2028.
