Journalists and officials from Manipur recently visited the Living Mountain Lab (LML) of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in Nepal. Their visit provided insight into climate change adaptation strategies that could be applicable to the state’s delicate hill ecosystems. Since its founding in 1993, the 30-hectare LML, which is situated in the lush Godavari highlands of Nepal, has been transforming a degraded forest into a thriving biodiversity hub.
The location serves as an example of how sustainable techniques and engaged community members may revitalize deteriorated areas. The Manipur group observed firsthand how forest-based communities in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region are addressing the effects of climate change as part of a media exposure program organized by the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change. The visit emphasized how collaborative conservation tactics might improve environmental health and rural livelihoods.
LML, a biodiversity lab in Manipur, India, is a demonstration ground for sustainable mountain farming and eco-friendly technologies. It houses 695 wild plant species and over 300 fauna species, including endangered orchids and mammals. The lab promotes low-cost, replicable technologies like integrated farming, solar dryers, and community-based flood early warning systems. Its insights are crucial for Manipur, a state with 90% hilly terrain and pressing forest degradation issues. The lab aims to equip stakeholders with actionable models to combat climate threats and promote ecological balance.
