Abstract ID: 3.9998 | Accepted as Talk | Requested as: Talk | TBA | TBA

This study explores the challenges and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods in Nepal’s mountain landscapes through a transdisciplinary methodology. By integrating local knowledge from practitioners in Nepal with insights from academic research, the study offers a comprehensive perspective on complex dynamics shaping the livelihoods of mountain communities in Nepal.

The research methodology consisted of several stages. First, a transdisciplinary conference was organized in Kathmandu to draw on the expertise of local experts and identify their perspectives on key challenges and opportunities for a sustainable future in Nepal’s mountain landscapes. The results were then synthesized in the form of key thematic fields. Building on this, a scoping literature review is conducted to assess the available scientific basis that describes the current state of the identified thematic fields. This also aims to refine the perspective on cross-sectoral dynamics and/or interactions that influence the livelihoods of Nepal mountain communities. Finally, the refined set of thematic fields is presented and discussed at online workshops with practitioners, experts and researchers from Nepal.

Preliminary findings point to fields of tension, in which change dynamics are exacerbating already challenging or even contradictory circumstances. Two examples of these fields of tension are: a) the accelerated out-migration – particularly of young men – is on the one side an important diversification of livelihoods of rural families, but on the other side it is also linked with a significant reduction of labour capacities and uneasy changes in the traditional role of women. b) Increased investments in large electric power infrastructure are already having a positive impact on national macroeconomic indices. However, Nepal’s domestic electricity consumption is not keeping pace, and dependence on energy imports (of fossil fuels) is also significantly increasing.

Thus, the preliminary findings highlight the interconnectedness of social-ecological, cultural, economic, political and technological changes. The transdisciplinary approach provides a holistic perspective to understand the complexity of the challenges and to identify opportunities for sustainable livelihoods in Nepal’s mountain landscapes.