Transforming Conservation and Communities in Nepal’s Trans-Himalaya
UKALI is a community-driven model, focusing on the Upper Karnali Landscape as a learning ground and field campus. Guided by the philosophy of “Leading by Locals,” the initiative ensures that conservation efforts are community-led and grounded in the cultural heritage and values of the landscapes it serves. With the broader vision of developing a replicable approach for other mountain regions in Nepal and beyond, UKALI strengthens local institutions, nurtures conservation leaders, and enhances the capacity of communities to actively participate in and benefit from conservation initiatives.
In Nepal’s remote areas, such as UKALI region, many school children lack access to hands-on learning opportunities that inspire creativity and practical problem-solving. UKALI’s School Eco-Club program bridges this gap by providing a platform where students can learn, interact, and apply their knowledge to actively contribute to environmental conservation causes. By targeting the youngest and most impressionable members of communities, the Eco-Club nurtures a sense of wonder for the natural world. Through education and engagement, students develop a lifelong commitment to conserving biodiversity, wildlife, and their habitats. The program, a flagship initiative of UKALI, is dedicated to cultivating future conservation leaders while fostering grassroots environmental action and institutions.
Humla District, located in the Upper Karnali region, is Nepal's second-largest district, spanning 5,655 square kilometers. Renowned for its ecological richness, Humla is home to diverse wildlife, including globally threatened species such as the snow leopard, Kashmir musk deer, and Himalayan black bear, among others. Despite its rich biodiversity, only 22.4% of Humla’s land is forested. The situation is particularly dire in Simkot and the Namkha Rural Municipality, where forest cover is less than 13%, despite the region's high demand for timber and fuelwood. The district faces mounting challenges, including deforestation, habitat degradation, and the looming impacts of climate change, which have left visible scars on its landscapes and communities.
Rinzin Phunjok Lama, founder of the Upper Karnali Landscape Initiative (UKALI) and a dedicated Conservation Biologist at Third Pole Conservancy, has been selected as one of the esteemed winners of the Future For Nature Award 2024 for his outstanding efforts in safeguarding snow leopards in Nepal’s remote mountains. Rinzin’s innovative community-led program empowers local communities, mitigates human-wildlife conflicts, and strengthens cultural connections with nature.
We are thrilled to celebrate our colleague, Tashi R. Ghale, for receiving The Bob and Jang/Xavier Academy Conservation Award. This prestigious honor recognizes Tashi’s unwavering commitment and exceptional contributions to mountain wildlife conservation, particularly snow leopards, over nearly two decades.
Tashi is a true guardian of mountain wildlife, having photographed snow leopards in their natural habitat over 40 times, an unparalleled achievement in Nepal. His passion for wildlife shines through his lens, as he not only captures the beauty of these majestic creatures and their habitat but also raises awareness and takes meaningful local action for their protection. In his hometown of Manang, Tashi has been pivotal in documenting key discoveries, including the return of the wolf after four decades of local extinction and the presence of Pallas’s cat, which was identified as a new species for Nepal in 2014.
UKALI is a community-driven model, focusing on the Upper Karnali Landscape as a learning ground and field campus. Guided by the philosophy of “Leading by Locals,” the initiative ensures that conservation efforts are community-led and grounded in the cultural heritage and values of the landscapes it serves. With the broader vision of developing a replicable approach for other mountain regions in Nepal and beyond, UKALI strengthens local institutions, nurtures conservation leaders, and enhances the capacity of communities to actively participate in and benefit from conservation initiatives.
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