Machhapuchhre Dialogue Concludes with 15-Point Declaration on Climate Change

Kaski. The two-day Machhapuchhre Dialogue on climate change and mountains, held in Pokhara as part of the Annapurna Climate Conference, concluded on Wednesday with the issuance of a 15-point 'Machhapuchhre Declaration - 2083'.

The 'Machhapuchhre Dialogue' program, jointly organized by the Ministry of Forests and Environment Gandaki Province, Pokhara Metropolitan City, Machhapuchhre and Annapurna Rural Municipalities, and various organizations, resulted in the declaration being issued today. The declaration expresses shared commitments for climate change risk reduction and adaptation.

The declaration mentions taking initiatives from all sectors to enhance the resilience of the environment and communities in Gandaki Province, which is at risk of climate-induced disasters, and acknowledges the role of forests in carbon sequestration and emission reduction, stating that the continuity of environmental services will be ensured through forest conservation system-based management.

An agreement has been reached to promote programs that utilize residues, leaf litter, and invasive species in agriculture and forestry sectors for biochar and biocompost, thereby reducing forest fires and increasing soil fertility. Emphasis has been placed on expanding weather information centers and early warning systems to reduce disaster risks caused by sequential disasters in the Himalayan mountain range.

To build an informed community about the impacts of climate change, consensus has been reached on developing school-level curricula and data archiving. The declaration commits to respecting and conserving the traditional knowledge, skills, and practices of indigenous, tribal, and local communities for climate resilience by integrating them with scientific technology. Priority has been given to promoting eco-friendly land use, nature-based tourism, and coexistence practices for human-wildlife conflict mitigation.

The declaration calls for the establishment of the 'Annapurna Climate Disaster Memorial Center' (ABCD) for the study and research of risks arising from climate change, recalling the devastating Seti River flood of Baisakh 23, 2069.

Commitment has been expressed to promote collaboration among governments at all three levels, educational and research institutions, conservation partners, and the private sector to address climate change vulnerabilities.

During the conference, various experts, including Dr. Krishnachandra Devkota, Vice-Chairman of the Gandaki Province Planning Commission, and Dr. Maheshwar Dhakal, Joint Secretary of the Climate Change Management Division of the Ministry of Forests and Environment, presented working papers on different topics.