In this blog post, I will share information about the Living Mountain Lab, a science and technology centre established by ICIMOD that aims to test and demonstrate climate change adaptation solutions for the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region.
The Living Mountain Lab is a laboratory for innovations ranging from sustainable farming methods, income-generating crops and fruits, solar-powered technologies to examples of disaster risk reduction systems. The lab is designed to provide farmers, development professionals, researchers and students with hands-on experience and training.
In addition to the groups mentioned above, the lab is also open to school groups. The Living Mountain Lab team is working to make the site open to everyone in the near future!
Nestled in the rolling green hills of Godavari, the Living Mountain Lab is a place where ‘seeing is believing’. Established in 1993, it was then a largely degraded forest that has undergone a transformation and the area is being restored, primarily through natural regeneration.
Today, the Living Mountain Lab's rich biodiversity is home to 10% of Nepal's flowering plants, 280 butterfly species, 56 orchid species, 86 medicinal and aromatic plants and 100 bird species.
Camera traps placed across the 30 hectares of LML have revealed fascinating images of a Chinese pangolin, a Himalayan black bear and a common leopard. It is incredibly exciting to know that such a wide variety of wildlife is found just 17 kilometres from Kathmandu.
A visit to the Living Mountain Lab shows what is possible. It is a place of inspiration and hope, as well as a clear example of all that we can gain from the natural environment. From learning about vertical bag cultivation to 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.
For more information about the Living Mountain Laboratory: Click here or follow @livingmountainlab on Instagram!
