On this blogpost, I will be sharing about the Living Mountain Lab, a scientific and technological hub set up by ICIMOD where the focus is to test and demonstrate climate change adaptation solutions for the Hindu Kush Himalaya region (HKH).
From sustainable farming methods, income generating crops and fruits, solar-powered technologies to examples of disaster risk reduction systems, the Living Mountain Lab is a shop of innovations. The Lab is designed for farmers, development practitioners, researchers and students to receive hands-on experience and training.
Apart from the groups mentioned above, the Lab is also open to school groups for visits. The Living Mountain Lab team are working towards making the site open for all in the near future!
Located in the rolling green hills of Godavari, the Living Mountain Lab is a site where ‘seeing is believing’. Established in 1993, at the time it was a largely degraded forest which has undergone a transformation with the area being restored, mostly through natural regeneration.
Today, the Living Mountain Lab’s rich biodiversity holds 10% of Nepal’s flowering plants, 280 species of butterflies, 56 species of orchids, 86 medicinal & aromatic plants and 100 species of birds.
The camera traps placed across the 30 hectares of LML have revealed exciting footage of the Chinese pangolin, Himalayan black bear to a common leopard. It’s incredibly exciting to know such a range of wildlife is just 17 kilometres from Kathmandu.
A visit to the Living Mountain Lab showcases what is possible! It’s a place of inspiration, hope as well as a glaring example of all that we can gain from the natural environment. From learning about vertical bag farming, discovering the different orchids available in Godavari and the flora and fauna; my day at the Living Mountain Lab was truly a mini-safari experience in itself.
To learn more about the Living Mountain Lab – click here or follow @livingmountainlab on Instagram!
