Deepak Adhikari is a freelance journalist based in Kathmandu, Nepal. He was the editor of Nepal Check, a fact-checking platform in Nepal. From March 2020 to July 2022, he was the editor of South Asia Check, Nepal's pioneering fact-checking outlet. 

His areas of work include Nepal's politics, ...

How a Nepali border village learned to live with migratory wild elephants

01 Jan 2025  |  Mongabay Environmental News  |  English  |  Community Coexistence

Bahundangi, a village in Nepal, has successfully transitioned from a hotspot of human-elephant conflict to a model of coexistence through innovative strategies and community efforts. The village adopted elephant-resistant crops, such as tea and lemons, reducing the attractiveness of their fields to elephants. Government support, including compensation for wildlife damage and the construction of an electric fence, played a crucial role. Local conservationists facilitated compensation processes and encouraged crop diversification. The community also formed a rapid response team to safely guide elephants away from residential areas. These efforts have significantly reduced conflict and fatalities, setting an example for neighboring regions.

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International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development World Bank Ujyalo Nepal Mechinagar Municipality-4

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Claude Arpi is a writer based in Auroville near Puducherry, India.

The Weather Channel argues that India faces the gravest challenge: Climate change-induced health vulnerability.

31 Dec 2023  |  Rediff  |  English  |  Health Vulnerability

The article discusses the severe impact of climate change on various regions, particularly focusing on India. It highlights the findings of the NOAA's Arctic Report Card, which shows the Arctic warming at an alarming rate, leading to wildfires, floods, and food insecurity. The ICIMOD warns of melting glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayas, which could affect billions of people. The ICCI report emphasizes the critical state of mountain glaciers and the need to focus on the 1.5 C temperature goal of the Paris Agreement. In India, the article mentions the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood in Northern Sikkim and the health vulnerabilities due to climate change as reported by The Weather Channel. The article concludes with a call for a balanced approach to development and environmental conservation, warning of potential earthquakes in the Himalayas for 2024.

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International Cryosphere Climate Initiative International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority Shiv Nadar Institution of Eminence

Namrata Kolachalam is a photographer and journalist based in Mumbai, India.

As the 'water tower of Asia' dries out, villagers learn to recharge their springs

02 Oct 2023  |  www.npr.org  |  English  |  Community Development

In the Himalayan foothills of Uttarakhand, India, villagers are combating water scarcity exacerbated by climate change by reviving mountain springs. Led by women like Kiran Joshi, these communities are implementing 'spring recharge' techniques with the help of the Central Himalayan Rural Action Group (CHIRAG). By organizing water user committees and conducting hydrogeological surveys, they identify catchment areas to trap rainwater, thereby replenishing aquifers. These efforts have successfully revived over 600 springs, significantly improving water access and reducing the burden on women who previously traveled long distances for water. The initiative is cost-effective compared to concrete infrastructure projects and empowers local communities to manage their water resources sustainably.

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International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Central Himalayan Rural Action Group (CHIRAG)

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Jimmy Langman is a seasoned journalist based in Chile, known for his in-depth coverage of environmental issues, travel stories, and Latin American affairs. With a career that includes roles as a correspondent for Newsweek and regular contributor to newspapers in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K., ...

Lakes Disappearing After Glacial Outburst Floods

01 Jan 2011  |  Newsweek  |  English  |  Environmental Disasters

The article discusses the phenomenon of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), particularly focusing on the sudden disappearance of Lake Cachet 2 in Chilean Patagonia and its impact on the environment and local communities. It highlights the increasing frequency and intensity of GLOFs due to climate change, as reported by the United Nations Environment Programme and other scientific studies. The article also covers the global implications of GLOFs, with examples from Peru and the Himalayan region, and the potential risks associated with the HidroAysén project's planned dams on the Baker River. It emphasizes the need for countries to adapt to these changes through initiatives like early-warning systems and more resilient infrastructure.

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International Program for Climate Change (IPCC) Center for Scientific Studies International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) World Bank HidroAysén Indonesia's Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry World Climate Research Programme World Meteorological Organization

Ed Peters is an award-winning journalist based in Hong Kong. He has spent most of his working life in Asia, and his CV includes editing an architectural magazine, Copy Editor in Chief for CNN Travel, editing hotel guides to Asia, Oceania and the United Kingdom, and the inaugural Asia Villa Guide.
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Why Craig Leeson wants Trump to watch his new climate documentary on melting glaciers

15 Mar 2020  |  South China Morning Post  |  English  |  Environmental Impact

Craig Leeson, a seasoned journalist, emphasizes the urgent need for climate action in his new documentary, The Last Glaciers. Highlighting the drastic changes in the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution, Leeson underscores the severe impact on glaciers, particularly in the Himalayas, and the subsequent threat to water supplies for billions. He calls for a cultural shift and collaboration with big businesses to combat climate change, urging influential figures like Donald Trump to recognize the gravity of the situation. The documentary aims to inspire viewers to confront and address the global climate crisis.

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International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Asian Development Bank Greenpeace East Asia

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Abby Seiff is an award-winning freelance journalist with a decade of experience reporting and editing in Asia. Her writing and photography have appeared in Newsweek, Time, The AP, Foreign Policy, The Guardian, and more. She also regularly edits and writes reports for think-tanks, security firms, ...

If You Have Money, You Can Think Whatever You Want

17 Jan 2018  |  BRIGHT Magazine  |  English  |  Economic Development

In Nepal's Thulopakhar village, societal stigma surrounds women working abroad, often associating it with sex work and abuse. Despite this, the Tamang sisters and many other women have sought overseas employment due to the lack of local job opportunities. Remittances from overseas workers constitute 32% of Nepal's GDP, with women's contributions increasing. Female migration, particularly from districts like Sindhupalchowk, has risen significantly, driven by economic necessity and the desire for independence. The article underscores the challenges and opportunities faced by these women, including escaping abusive situations and supporting their families. The government's failure to create adequate local job opportunities is criticized, and the importance of safe migration practices is emphasized.

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International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Safer Migration Project Kathmandu Post

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Hanan Zaffar is a journalist based in New Delhi, India.

Melting glaciers will flood India and disrupt its water supply

07 Aug 2024  |  www.fairplanet.org  |  English  |  Environmental Challenges

Glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayas are melting at unprecedented rates, potentially losing up to 75% of their volume by the end of the century. This poses significant risks of flooding and water shortages for nearly 2 billion people downstream. The region, known as 'the third pole,' is warming faster than the global average, exacerbating environmental challenges, particularly in India's Gangetic basin. Addressing this crisis requires regional cooperation, enhanced observation networks, and substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

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International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development

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