Indoor Pollution in Hindu Kush Region (Swat and Chitral) impacts human and environmental health

Smog in Lahore, its primary causes and impact on human and environmental health

ICIMOD’s landmark Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment Report, published in 2019, focused specifically on climate change, cryosphere, water, and biodiversity and first established the region’s significance and vulnerability in global and regional fora.

This new assessment report, co-authored by 35 researchers and scientists, from 12 different countries, and 23 institutions, zeroes in on the ecological and human impacts of changes in the cryosphere. The assessment went through a comprehensive, double-blind, peer-review process.

HI-WISE Radio Coverage from The World

Join us for an enlightening discussion as Dr. Mandira Shrestha, a leading expert on climate science, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Radio Nepal about the pressing issue of climate change in the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH).

In this captivating talk, Dr. Shrestha delves into the alarming realities of the HKH region, where extreme weather events, soaring temperatures, and vanishing glaciers are placing communities at severe risk of landslides, floods, and droughts. The consequences of these climate-induced disasters have been devastating, with hundreds losing their lives, homes, livelihoods, and possessions.

Dr. Shrestha sheds light on the global nature of these climate impacts, emphasizing that while the suffering is concentrated in the Asian mountainous regions, the root causes are a shared global responsibility. She advocates for impact-based forecasting as a crucial tool for saving lives and safeguarding vulnerable communities in the face of these mounting challenges.

Join us in this important conversation about climate crisis mitigation, adaptation, and the urgent need for global cooperation. Together, we can work towards a more resilient future for the HKH and beyond.

Navigating the Climate Crisis in the HKH: Dr. Mandira Shrestha's Conversation with Radio Nepal

Tune in to a compelling conversation between Karishma Khadka and Radio Nepal as they shed light on the silent water crisis plaguing the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) during World Water Week. While headlines are often dominated by extreme rains, floods, and landslides, a less visible but equally critical issue has been quietly unfolding – the drying up of springs, the primary water source for millions across the HKH.

The consequences of disappearing springs, though gradual and less immediately apparent than sudden-onset disasters, are profoundly consequential. In regions like Uttarkhand, the film serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating impacts on agriculture, livestock, and overall livelihoods when springs run dry.

Without water, communities suffer, ecosystems degrade, and villages hollow out, affecting regions from India to Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. However, there is hope. ICIMOD, in collaboration with communities and local governments, has been spearheading efforts to rejuvenate these life-giving springs through nature-based solutions and innovative water management practices.

During this World Water Week, the call is clear – we need more local government decision-makers and communities to unite in the mission to "Bring Springs Back." Water is the essence of life, and without these vital lifelines, human habitation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya becomes untenable. Karishma Khadka urges local leaders and national governments to join this crucial endeavor, offering real hope to communities facing climate shocks in the region.

At the heart of the Hindu Kush Himalaya, a staggering statistic looms: 100 million people are at risk as 9 million springs teeter on the brink of vanishing or drying up. This poses a grave risk to essential water sources, leaving communities in turmoil. Hundreds of springs are succumbing to the impacts of climate change and human activities, posing a severe threat, particularly to marginalized mountain communities.

As development practitioners and decision-makers, the need for urgent action is clear – to safeguard flowing springs and revive those that have already dried up or are in peril. Join us this World Water Week as we advocate for collaboration between local governments and communities to "Bring Springs Back."

Bring Springs Back: A Conversation with Karishma Khadka on World Water Week

On this Clean Air Day, join us for a crucial conversation with Arun Shrestha and Bidya Pradhan as they speak with Radio Nepal about the escalating issue of air pollution in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). The statistics are sobering – 99% of the world's population breathes polluted air, and the situation is deteriorating rapidly in our region, affecting the lives of 240 million people.

The consequences of air pollution are far-reaching, endangering our communities and environment. Glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, farmers are grappling with reduced crop yields, and the tourism industry is suffering. However, amidst these challenges, a collective effort is underway to restore clear blue skies.

In partnership with various stakeholders, we are implementing effective measures to combat air pollution and mitigate its detrimental impacts through knowledge enhancement and capacity building. This Clean Air Day, our message is clear – we call for stronger partnerships, increased investment, and shared responsibility to tackle air pollution head-on in our region.

Our vision is simple yet profound: we want everyone in the Hindu Kush Himalaya to breathe air at WHO standards or better. To achieve this goal, we are on a mission to identify, acknowledge, and celebrate the efforts of communities, individuals, and organizations across the HKH who are dedicated to bringing back those pristine blue skies. All you, our listeners, need to do is share your projects, campaigns, or initiatives and the positive impact they are making in the fight against air pollution.

Join us in this conversation as we work together to ensure that clean, healthy air becomes a reality for all in the Hindu Kush Himalaya.

Clearing the Air: Arun Shrestha and Bidya Pradhan Discuss Air Pollution in the HKH on Clean Air Day

In a remote village in the Himalayan foothills, Kiran Joshi stands with a smartphone timer in one hand and a red plastic bucket in the other. Carefully, she places the bucket under a stream of flowing water and stops the timer once the bucket is full. She repeats the measurement three times to ensure the accuracy before looking up. "Thirteen seconds," she says.

Joshi is calculating the volume of water coming from a mountain spring in her village of Raushil in the state of Uttarakhand, India. There are roughly 3 million such springs emanating from the Indian Himalayan Region, but in 2017, the Indian government released a concerning report saying nearly half of them have run dry or are becoming seasonal.

Environment

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

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) marks four decades of catalysing sustainable 
development in the complex terrain of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. 

The 40th-anniversary event, on December 5, 2023, was graced by the presence of the Right Honourable Mr Ramchandra Paudel, President of Nepal, as the Chief Guest.

Under the theme “Moving Mountains 2030”, the event highlighted ICIMOD’s journey and its commitment to shaping the future of the HKH region. The 40th anniversary agenda included a series of key moments, showcasing ICIMOD’s achievements and the enduring partnerships that have fuelled its success.

Importantly, this moment marks an opportunity to consolidate urgent actions for the future in a context of the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.

ICIMOD at 40 - Radio Nepal

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), in collaboration with the Government of Nepal and the Green Resilient Agricultural Productive Ecosystems (GRAPE) project are organising this conference to bring together multi-stakeholders from the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) countries and beyond to foster cross learning of best practices, solutions, approaches and policies on food systems, and advance knowledge on enabling environment, regional cooperation and collective actions for sustainable food systems. Participants include researchers, experts from the government and non-government sectors, practitioners, academicians, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

Navigating the Climate Crisis in the HKH: Dr. Mandira Shrestha's Conversation with Radio Nepal

ICIMOD

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