Regional workshop: Mainstreaming indigenous and local knowledge systems into adaptation communication for the Hindu Kush Himalaya Region

Organisers: Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, ICIMOD-HUC, AMARC-AP, Keio University, HNB Garhwal University-India, Ministry of Climate Change-Pakistan, BHRI-Bhutan

About the workshop

Indigenous, traditional, and local knowledge (ITLK) systems are diverse forms of knowledge prevalent across the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region. ITLK systems are often integrated into livelihood strategies and coping strategies for climate change impacts. With the support of the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research (APN), Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), and partners including ICIMOD-HUC, HNV Garwal University, AMARC-Asia Pacific (AP), Ministry of Climate Change – Pakistan, Bhutan Himalayan Research Initiatives (BHRI)-Bhutan, Royal University of Bhutan, and Keio University, the CAPaBLE project “Development of adaptation communication framework mainstreaming indigenous and local knowledge for Hindu-Kush Himalayan Region” was developed. As a result, various investigations, capacity building, and new initiatives have been started, including a new HUC thematic working group on ILK and LLA. This workshop provides an ideal opportunity to share and showcase the findings of this initiative and discuss steps for follow-up.

Objectives

The two-day workshop aims to:

Share the activities and findings of the project
Share the outcome and impacts of capacity building involving community radios
Discuss the framework for mainstreaming bottom-up adaptation communication of ITLK climate actions and initiatives
Discuss the way forward for promoting ITLK as a basis for locally-led climate action

Agenda

Time (NPT)	Programme	Speakers
09:30–10:00	Welcome and opening remarks Group photo	Pema Gyamtsho, Director General, ICMOD Osamu Mizuno, Programme Director Water and Adaptation, IGES Yam Prasad Pokharel, Director General, Forest Research and Training Centre and Focal Person for Nepal, APN
10:00–10:20	Project introduction	Binaya Raj Shivakoti, Senior Policy Researcher (Water and Adaptation), IGES
10:20–11:00	Project activities and outcomes in India Presentation 1: Climate change perception and adaptations of indigenous communities in central Himalayan, Uttarakhand, India Presentation 2: Local Indigenous knowledge of ethnoveterinary and uses of medicinal plants in central Himalayan rural landscape, Uttarakhand, India Presentation 3: ILK application for urban planning	Rakesh Maikhuri, Professor, HNV Garwal University Rakesh Maikhuri, HNV Garwal University Ravindra Singh, Guest Faculty, Department of Environmental Sciences, HNV Garwal University Harshit Sosan Lakra, Professor, IIT Rorkee, India
11:00–11:40	Project activities and outcomes in Bhutan Call for regional investments and interventions in intangible cultural heritage research related to farming in the Bhutan Himalaya Presentation 1: Connecting nature and farming through the traditional rice plantation ritual practice in the western region of Bhutan Presentation 2: Cattle herds held at helm for sustaining livelihood by revering and propitiating in the southern communities of Bhutan by	Phanchung, Executive Director, Bhutan Himalayan Research Initiatives Namgyel Wangmo, Research Officer, Bhutan Himalayan Research Initiatives Yeshi Choden, Research Officer, Bhutan Himalayan Research Initiatives
11:40–13:10	Lunch break
13:10–13:40	Project activities and outcomes in Pakistan Special keynote: Current state of climate change impact and challenges for adaptation at the local level in Pakistan	Hadika Jamshaid, Advisor to Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Pakistan Saima Saifique, Program Manager, Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Pakistan
13:40–14:00	Project activities by HUC	Chi Huyen Truong (Shachi), Programme Coordinator, HUC Secretariat
Community Media Session
14:00–14:30	Project activities and outcomes by AMARC Presentation 1: Capacity building of community radios in HKH Presentation 2: Demonstration of radio programme	Suman Basnet, Regional Director, AMARC-AP
14:30–15:00	Tea and refreshments
15:00–16:30	Community media discussion session Moderated by: Suman Basnet, AMARC-AP	Representatives from community media broadcasters

Time (NPT)	Programme	Speakers
09:30–10:30	Challenges for identifying, validating and documenting ILK (Framing presentation followed by discussion)	Binaya Raj Shivakoti, IGES
10:30–12:00	Opportunities for promoting and communicating ILK effectively Research and education Media and information technology Youth engagement Regional collaboration	All participants
12:30–13:30	Lunch
13:30–15:00	Discussion on establishing bottom-up approach of adaptation communication in relation to ILK Approaches of communication at the local level Connecting local and national levels	All participants
15:00–15:30	Tea & refreshments
15:30–16:30	Summarising outcomes and impacts Way forward Closing	All participants

Mainstreaming indigenous and local knowledge systems into adaptation communication for the Hindu Kush Himalaya Region

Programmes

Venue

Date & Time

Contact

About the workshop

Objectives

Agenda

Mainstreaming indigenous and local knowledge systems into adaptation communication for the Hindu Kush Himalaya Region

Programmes

Venue

Date & Time

Contact

About the workshop

Objectives

Agenda

10 August 2023 – Knowledge sharing day

11 August 2023 – Session on “Adaptation communication of Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK) System”

Writeshop: Economics of forest restoration

Local Curriculum on Early Warning Systems for Disaster Preparedness in Dhading

Training on GIS for Municipal Planning