Bio-diversity

Alpine zones, the area between the upper tree line and permanent snowline, are distributed globally and are among the most bio-diverse habitats per unit area. They are also important, as the highland is water catchment area for lowlands. Amidst the alpine zone, Khumbu region of Nepal is unique as the very majestic "Mount Everest" (8,848m)- the highest mountain in the world lies in this region. However, the alpine landscapes in Khumbu area have been degraded over the past 20-30 years as a result of contemporary, unsustainable uses that include burning, overgrazing, increasing numbers of pack stock, and the accelerated harvesting of slow-growing shrubs for fuel wood. The bulk of this landscape degradation is largely linked to the recent and significant growth of unregulated adventure tourism, where the alpine zone is either a destination in itself (e.g., by trekking groups) or passed through en-route to the higher base camps (i.e., by climbing expeditions). Especially during the last 20 years, the removal of these soil-binding shrubs from the fragile and thin alpine soils has not only contributed to dramatic increases in soil erosion, but also to accelerated landscape denudation that local people refer to as growing glacial moraines . Substantial anecdotal evidence also suggests that similar processes are occurring elsewhere in the Himalayan alpine. In order to continue this exceptional progress while expanding the project to other alpine zones within the eastern Himalaya (and ultimately throughout the high mountain world, the goal of the project is to protect and restore the fragile alpine ecosystems of the Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park- one of the two World Heritage Site in Nepal, through the strengthening of local management and conservation capacities. Successful completion of the pilot program in the Khumbu can be set as precedent for similar projects affected in alpine regions throughout the mountain world.

Nepal