High in the Himalayas, Helambu local body demands climate justice

Helambu Rural Municipality convened an executive meeting at Chhyati Ghang, a religious and tourist site situated around 4,200 meters above sea level, to draw attention to the severe impacts of climate change on Nepal's Himalayan region. Local representatives, employees, and leaders undertook a trek to the high-altitude location, observing firsthand the environmental changes affecting the landscape.

Discussions during the meeting centered on boosting domestic tourism, implementing measures to mitigate climate change, preserving glaciers and delicate mountain ecosystems, and advancing sustainable development goals. Nima Gyalzen Hyolmo, the Rural Municipality Chair, emphasized that the Himalayan region is directly confronting climate change's effects. He stated the meeting's high-altitude setting was chosen to amplify these issues for local, national, and international audiences.

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The Himalayan region is facing the direct impacts of climate change. We organised the meeting at a high altitude to draw attention to these issues at the local, national and international levels.

Helambu has increasingly voiced concerns over climate change, noting visible impacts such as rising temperatures, accelerated glacier melt, diminishing water sources, and declining biodiversity in areas like Bhemathang, the source of the Melamchi River. Hyolmo highlighted the municipality's ongoing "Climate Justice" campaign, arguing that mountain communities disproportionately suffer from the consequences of industrial nations' high carbon emissions. The municipality is preparing to present evidence-based arguments to the government and international bodies regarding floods, glacier loss, and other environmental crises impacting their region.

The municipality also noted that climate change has affected apple farming, increased snow and ice melt, threatened wildlife habitats, and depleted water sources. The meeting also explored developing Chhyati Ghang as a tourist destination, recognized for its panoramic mountain views, unique culture, spiritual significance, and natural beauty. Tourism in Helambu is recovering after significant setbacks from the 2015 earthquakes and the COVID-19 pandemic, with infrastructure reconstruction aiding the return of visitors.

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We are preparing to raise our voice, backed by evidence, before the government and international forums on issues such as floods, glacier loss and the environmental crises affecting our region.