Project Partners: Southasia Institute of Advanced Studies (SIAS) and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
Funder: Swedish Research Council (FORMAS)
Duration: May 2023 – December 2026
Project Description:
Mountainous regions offer a wide array of ecosystem services and play a pivotal role in preserving biodiversity. This region provides livelihoods to the millions of people. The mountain farming communities suffer from various climatic disasters, poverty and marginality. Recent scientific assessment estimated that the region will experience at least three times the level of impact from climate change than any other regions of the world. The Nepalese Himalayan region hosts diverse flora and fauna and it is mostly inhabited by farm and forest-dependent communities. Having experienced significant deforestation during the 1950s to 1970s, the region has undergone a notable gain in its forest cover change due to the implementation of community forest programs and socio-economic changes. Increasing out-migration also brought substantial changes in farming and forestry practices. In recent years, farming communities in the region are experiencing a new set of challenges– the proliferation of wildlife encroachment in farming, particularly posing severe impact on small-holder subsistence farmers. The problem is escalating and progressing; therefore, it is crucial to understand the factors driving the problem and its far-reaching effect across the rural livelihood.
This interdisciplinary research aims to investigate the linkages between farming-wildlife conflicts and the socio-economic dynamics of agricultural retreat and forest expansion in culturally diverse mountain communities in Nepal. It also explores the possible ways to mitigate the problem and contribute to ongoing policy processes. In this research initiative, action research has been recognized as a pivotal element in the creation of knowledge, fostering discussions on policy matters involving stakeholders ranging from local to national levels.
Project Leader: Dr. Dil Khatri
Team at SIAS: Dr. Govinda Paudel, Binod Adhikari, Sanjaya Khatri, Dr. Dinesh Paudel
International Team: Dr. Dil Khatri (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences), Dr. Kristina Marquardt (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) and Dr. Dinesh Paudel (Appalachian State University)
