Raising awareness for sustainable development

Economic development usually comes with a heavy tribute on environment , and Solu-Khumbu is no exception to this. Solu-Khumbu is already a very fragile eco-system, particularly impacted by the global warming and the melting of the glaciers. Some endemic species have difficulties to carrying prospering with the raise of the temperature in the soils, and the lack of winter snow. De-forestation is also happening as farmers are actively burning forests post-monsoon, aiming at growing their farming lands. Air pollution is raising along with the construction of roads and the multiplication of 4x4 vehicles, motorbikes and mini-buses. Multiplication of hydro-electric projects endanger as well the quality and the sustainability of the water in the rivers. Last but not least, populations tend to desert the mountain lands and villages to migrate towards Kathmandu, hoping for better future ( that they very seldom find). Behavior of the population in terms of garbage management is not yet mature, and propagation of plastics, tin cans and glass bottles ins increasing off the paths ( not to mention the trash generated by the climbing expeditions in crowded areas such as Everest Base Camp).

The economic development of the region is however on the way, and does offer possibilities for the local population to foresee a prosperous future in their mountains. It is however paramount to raise awareness of these populations on all these environmental challenges , and help them to adopt the right measures to minimize – without delay- the ecological cost linked to this development.

At Solu^ Cham , we believe that this shall be transmitted to the children , from their youngest age, through specifically designed courses, which will be proposed in any of the primary schools that we are supporting ( over 15 of them) as well as in the next-coming Numbur Vocational Training Center (NVTC), in order to engage students on :

• Understanding the risks and consequences on their current environment and biotope
• Adopting a responsible attitude towards their environment and nature in general , with very practical workshops with do’s and don’t
• Participating in random campaigns on the ground ( reforestation plans, garbage collection campaigns, cleaning rivers workshops…)

Last but not least, eye-opening meetings with the students and the parents are organized , in order to strive to explain the opportunities of a sustainable economic development of the Solu-Khumbu region , at a minimal ecological cost for its environment . Emphasis is made as well on the growing opportunities for the populations to proposer within their mountain valleys, through practical training and local entrepreneurship. This is specifically the main target pursued through the construction of the Numbur Vocational Training Center (NVTC) in Garma.    Responsibility is also given to the same populations to look after their direct environment ( every single attitude matters).

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