Globalization and climate change have an increasing influence on the stability of fragile mountain ecosystems and the livelihoods of mountain people. The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, or ICIMOD, aims to assist mountain people to understand these changes, adapt to them, and make the most of new opportunities, while addressing upstream-downstream issues in the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region.
This 7-minute video calls attention to a challenging time for the mountain regions, with the impacts of global warming such as glacial lake bursts and unpredictable precipitation patterns threatening the ecological biodiversity, cultural heritages and people’s livelihoods. At this time of rapid changes, even the highly resilient people here in the mountains are learning how to adapt. ICIMOD scientists are not only studyig the changes in the region with remote sensing and other technologies, they are also helping the mountain population make sense of a changing world and analyze options for adaptation. “We are trying to promote opportunities for rural populations,” says Director General Andreas Schild.
It supports transboundary programs through partnership with regional partner institutions, facilitates the exchange of experience, and serves as a regional knowledge hub. It is working to develop an economically and environmentally sound mountain ecosystem to improve the living standards of mountain populations and to sustain vital ecosystem services for the billions of people living downstream – now, and for the future.
The Centre serves eight regional member countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan – and is based in Kathmandu, Nepal. The video is presented here courtesy of ICIMOD.
