Kailash sacred landscape conservation initiative - Feasibility assessment report by ICIMOD

This publication by International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) deals with Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation Initiative (KSLCI), a project that seeks to conserve and sustainably manage a highly unique and special landscape through the application of trans-boundary ecosystem management approaches.

This region, like much of the rest of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas, faces many challenges, not the least of which are global warming, globalisation and environmental degradation. The Kailash region is considered sacred to five major religions and to a large number of people in Asia and throughout the world. This area is historically, ecologically, and culturally interconnected and is the source of four of Asia’s most important rivers.

The KSLCI is an attempt on the part of the three neighbouring countries of India, China and Nepal to join hands to help preserve the unique biological diversity, the many ecosystem goods and services, and the value-based cultural heritage of one of the most revered and sacred landscapes in the world.

The KSLCI has the following broad objectives -

• Enhance cooperation among the regional member countries
• Increase collection of climate change data in the KSL
• Recognise and strengthen local capacity for community-based participation in conservation and sustainable development

The preparatory phase of the initiative developed the basis for implementation of a long-term strategy, and for a participatory and trans-boundary approach for sustainable development and conservation in the Kailash region. As a basis for moving forward with implementation, lead partners in each of the three countries have completed comprehensive country feasibility assessments.

These have been synthesised into this Feasibility Assessment Report, which constitutes the basic needs and feasibility assessment for the entire target area and also includes the policy and enabling environment analysis.

These reports were based on extensive field work and consultations aimed at delineating the target landscape and preparing a needs analysis for the KSL in general, and the KSLCI in particular.

The methodology consisted of primary and secondary data collection. The primary data were collated mainly from rapid assessment field surveys collected through expert consultations, interaction programmes, group discussions, stakeholder surveys, and individual household surveys. Secondary information was gathered mainly through literature review. The information was analysed to identify gaps and priorities.

The report is structured as - (1) Introduction (2) Description of Target Landscape (3) Resource Status, Environmental Degradation, and Cultural Integrity (4) Community Perceptions (5) Identification of Priorities and Gap Assessment and (6) Policy and Enabling Environment.

Download the report here -