Rooted Together - How does climate change adaptation affect wellbeing?

Imagine a misty morning high in the mountains of eastern Nepal: the air is cool, dew clings to the leaves of young trees, and a small group of farmers huddles around a local trainer, comparing notes on how to plant saplings along the contours of a steep hillside. These trees do more than hold soil in place—they’re part of a carefully crafted agroforestry programme that nurtures not only the land, but also the lives of the people who depend on it.

This is the starting point for “Rooted Together,” a new research project led by MA student Lotty Hall. At its heart, the project delves into a simple but powerful idea: can planting trees and crops together help rural mountain communities adapt to a changing climate - and in the process improve their overall wellbeing?

Why Nepal’s Mountains Matter
Nepal’s high-altitude villages face some of the most visible and urgent effects of global warming. As glaciers retreat and rainfall patterns shift, farmers struggle with unpredictable seasons, water shortages and flash floods. In 2015, a devastating earthquake further shook traditional farming practices by altering water tables and damaging fields, as well as the general toll on communities following such a disaster. For communities already living on the edge, every change in weather is felt immediately - in their crops, their homes and their health.

Yet these same mountain villages are also hubs of resilience and innovation. The Glacier Trust and EcoHimal have been supporting community-led agroforestry initiatives for several years. Through small-scale nurseries, training sessions and community events, we encourage farmers to mix fruit and coffee trees, fodder shrubs and annual crops on the same plot of land. These interlinked systems help conserve water, protect against landslides, and, crucially, offer a variety of foods and income streams to provide communities with resilience to a changing and unpredictable climate.

Connecting Trees and Wellbeing
What “Rooted Together” aims to discover is how these agroforestry programmes do more than improve harvests. The research team will ask participants directly: How do these tree-and-crop systems affect your sense of security, health, and community spirit? Do they change how people feel about their future? By focusing on wellbeing - everything from mental peace of mind to social connections - the research takes a step beyond traditional climate studies.

To put it simply - it’s one thing to count how many trees are planted or how much crop is produced; it’s another to hear a farmer say, “Since we started layer farming and intercropping in our fields, I sleep easier because I know I have something to fall back on in heavy rain or drought.”

How the Research Will Work
Rather than staying behind a computer or crunching numbers in an office, this project will be conducted right alongside, and importantly with, the farmers themselves. Over the next few months, research will be carried out two clusters of villages in the Solukhumbu district: Thulung Dhudhakoshi and MapyaDhudhakoshi. With help from local trainers, the project will work with about twenty community members - farmers, local leaders and trainers who know the land intimately.

The methods are hands-on and participatory:

1. Storytelling Circles: Small focus groups and one-on-one chats, where participants share their experiences of planting, harvesting or even losing a crop. These conversations uncover how people judge success, cope with uncertainty and lean on the community when times are tough.

2. Community Mapping: Using simple drawings or walk together to map out where trees are planted, where water gathers and where children play. These maps illustrate not just geography but the connections between land, work and daily life.

3. “River of Life” Exercises: Participants sketch the ups and downs of their own farming journeys - times of drought, joyous harvest seasons or when a storm swept away a hillside terrace. By drawing these “life rivers,” farmers highlight turning points and coping strategies they’ve used.

4. Literature Review: Back in the UK, Lotty will comb through published studies on climate adaptation, agroforestry and wellbeing to see what lessons already exist. By comparing global research with local stories, she hopes to spot common threads - and fresh surprises.

What This Could Mean for the Future
By the end of the study, “Rooted Together” aims to offer more than a set of data tables: it will weave a tapestry of local voices, traditional knowledge and scientific insights. The goal is to show policymakers, development agencies and fellow researchers that supporting agroforestry in mountain areas can be a “triple win.” Trees help stabilise fragile slopes and diversify food; community engagement boosts mental health; and the very act of planting fosters a sense of hope for generations to come.

Ultimately, Lotty hopes this research will echo far beyond a handful of villages in Nepal. If agroforestry programmes can be shown to improve wellbeing - giving families a sense of control, stronger social ties, and better nutrition - then similar approaches might take root in other climate-vulnerable regions across Nepal and beyond.

As this research unfolds, we’ll invite you to follow along: to hear real voices from Nepal’s mountains, to learn how trees can transform more than just the land and perhaps to discover what lessons we might carry back home.

Rebuilding Lives and Landscapes After the Kavre Landslides

Rebuilding Lives and Landscapes After the Kavre Landslide

When the hillsides gave way in late 2024, vast sections of Wards 10, 11 and 12 in Kavre District were left devastated. Buildings vanished under tonnes of earth, fertile farmland was stripped bare and dozens of families were forced out of their homes. In total, 50 houses were completely destroyed and nearly 200 more were severely damaged. It was a disaster that turned lives upside down.

But thanks to the remarkable support from the Margaret Hayman Charitable Trust and the heartfelt generosity of everyone who backed our Seeds of Hope crowdfunder, a coordinated and determined recovery effort began almost immediately. Since the turn of the year, the Mandan Deupur Agroforestry Resource Centre (MD-AFRC), working in close partnership with EcoHimal Nepal and local government bodies, helped affected communities not only recover but lay the groundwork for a more resilient future.

The first priority was emergency relief. Families whose homes had been destroyed received essential support - food, medicine and daily necessities - delivered directly to where they were sheltering. The MD-AFRC team worked closely with ward officials to ensure that aid reached every household in need, with special attention given to those most severely affected.

However, short-term relief was only the beginning. Long-term recovery meant rebuilding lives and land together. With entire farms swept away, replanting was essential - not just for restoring income, but also for stabilising fragile slopes and preventing future disasters. That’s where agroforestry came in. Over 4,600 fruit-tree saplings- avocado, apple, coffee, pomegranate, guava and more - were raised at MD-AFRC. These trees are now being distributed to 161 of the most affected households, each of whom has prepared specialised planting pits ready for the summer season. Should any shortages arise, a network of satellite nurseries is ready to provide additional trees.

Recognising that fruit trees take years to bear results, MD-AFRC also distributed fast-growing vegetable seeds to help families bridge the gap. Crops like spinach, beans and carrots were planted quickly on small, cleared plots of land, helping restore household food supplies and generate early income. Many families have already sold their first harvests at the Nagarkot Haat Bazaar, and work is underway to link them with Kathmandu’s organic markets.

To make all this sustainable, the project places strong emphasis on training. MD-AFRC organised hands-on workshops to equip both farmers and nursery staff with the skills needed to care for young plants and manage new orchards effectively. From pit digging and pruning to composting and pest control, these sessions ensured that everyone involved had the tools and confidence to make their recovery efforts thrive.

Meanwhile, MD-AFRC’s own infrastructure has been strengthened. A new high-tech polyhouse has been installed to protect fragile seedlings before they’re planted in the open. A 6m³ biogas system, developed with support from the local government, now powers parts of the centre using clean, sustainable energy. Plans are also underway to fence the nursery to protect stock from animals, with some funding already secured from Ward 11.

The satellite nurseries have also played a crucial role, producing over 18,000 seedlings across a range of high-value tree crops. In May 2025, a new national Agro-Forestry Network was formally launched, linking MD-AFRC, the satellite nurseries and the EcoHimal Agro-Forestry Academy. This collaboration ensures that agroforestry knowledge, resources and support can reach more communities, more quickly and more effectively.

Looking ahead, the MD-AFRC team will continue to monitor planting progress through the summer and into the monsoon. Plans are in place to launch a community seed bank to protect and share local crop varieties and a new cold-storage facility is also being developed to help farming families keep produce fresh for longer, improving both income and food security.

This landslide was devastating - but it did not defeat Kavre’s communities. Thanks to your support, recovery has taken root. Fields are green again, families are harvesting food and new trees are taking hold on the hillsides. This is what resilience looks like: a partnership between people, place and purpose.

A special thank you goes to our legacy supporters from the Seeds of Hope campaign. We are incredibly grateful to Rodney Franklin, Chris Hill, Andrew James, David Kellie-Smith, Renate Nahum, Mary Peart and Huw Roberts for their generosity.

For these kind people and the rest of the fantastic supporters of our Seeds of Hope campaign, I will be in touch shortly with specific updates, media and the opportunity for a Q&A with the team!

Nawalparasi Update - Summer 2025

Bridging the Gap in Nawalparasi

While we prepare to launch our next major climate adaptation initiative, our partners at HICODEF have been working tirelessly to keep momentum going in the hills of Boudikali and Hupsekot. Over the past few months, they’ve focused on strengthening local farming groups, reinforcing good agricultural practice and ensuring continuity for successful adaptation projects.

In group meetings across eight communities, farmers have been revisiting lessons on coffee cultivation, in time for harvest, along with tunnel farming and vegetable intercropping. These sessions have helped maintain enthusiasm and build confidence, with farmers now sharing techniques on seedling care, weed control and post-harvest processing. Out in the fields, over 10,000 coffee saplings are thriving in community nurseries, water tanks are in daily use, and silpaulin tunnels are producing healthy crops - clear signs that climate-smart farming is becoming embedded.

There’s also been real progress in turning coffee into a sustainable livelihood. 62 farmers produced and sold over 900kg of parchment coffee this quarter - an impressive 63% increase on last year. New equipment like a shared pulping machine, combined with growing market interest, is helping build a more stable and profitable value chain. Local traders are now coming directly to villages to buy directly from the farms and some farmers are even transporting their harvest to town markets to fetch better prices.

Thanks to your continued support, communities in Nawalparasi are not only holding on to previous gains - they’re building on them. With your help, we’re making sure that adaptation is more than a short-term solution; it’s becoming a way of life

Dilim Hamal - From Foreign Worker to Multilayer Crops Farming Pioneer

I still remember the day I sat down with Dilim Hamal in his small but vibrant farm nestled in the hills of Dhodeni, Mandandeupur-08, Kavrepalanchok. As he spoke, his story unfolded like a journey I’d heard from so many Nepali youths—but with an ending that was different. And deeply inspiring.

Back in 2071 BS, Dilim was one of countless young men who left for Malaysia in search of work and a better life. But despite the years abroad, he told me, the pull of his homeland, his soil, his people, his mountains never let go. In 2018, he came back. Not because he had to, but because he wanted to build something real at home.

He didn’t return with a business plan or a ready-made path. He returned with hope, and a willingness to start from zero. One day, by what he calls sheer luck, he noticed a signboard: Mandandeupur Agriculture and Forest Resource Center. Curious, he stepped in. That moment changed everything.

There, he learned about bio-intensive fruit farming—something he’d never even imagined before. With support from Eco Himal Nepal, Dilim received training, guidance, and access to high-quality seedlings. He planted avocado, peaches, lemons, apples, walnuts, and even macadamia—high-value crops that suit the hilly terrain.

What struck me most was how he involved his whole family and poured love into every corner of his small plot. Slowly, it transformed. His trees now yield 15–20 kilograms of fruit each, and for the first time, he told me with a smile, he was earning not just surviving.

But he didn’t stop there. Dilim added organic vegetables, using a multilayer cropping technique. He intercropped seasonal produce, protected the soil, and kept his farm 100% organic. By using local inputs and selling directly to the market, he reduced costs and saw his profits rise. I was honestly amazed when he told me that in just the first quarter of 2025, from only 25% of his land, he earned a net profit of Rs. 87,000 (~£471).

Sitting across from him, I realized he was no longer just a farmer—he had become a symbol of what’s possible when knowledge, hard work, and heart come together. His journey is now inspiring others in his community and beyond. Young people are beginning to believe that success doesn’t have to be found abroad. It can be cultivated right here.

“I didn’t find success in another country,” he said, quietly but confidently. “I found it in my own field.”

Dilim’s story isn’t just his - it’s a lesson in resilience, innovation, and the promise of sustainable agriculture. It’s proof that even when you start with nothing, with the right support and the right mindset, you can grow everything you need. I heard his story firsthand, saw it with my own eyes, and that’s why I feel compelled to share

Uma Basnet

Agriculture Technician

Mandan Deupur Agroforestry Resource Centre

Crowdfunder Launch - Mandandeupur Landslides

On 26th to 28th September 2024, Mandandeupur received 391mm of rainfall in 24 unprecedented hours. This deluge triggered flash-flooding and devastating landslides that resulted in 78 deaths across the Kavrepalanchok region of Nepal.

In the wards at the heart of our project area in Mandandeupur the destruction has been reported as worse than that caused by the 2015 earthquake. Homes, roads, water supply systems, electricity lines, and community facilities—such as schools and temples—have been destroyed, isolating many residents from basic services and making travel between neighbourhoods impossible.

Eight people, including two children, lost their lives, and hundreds of families have been displaced. Water facilities have been severely impacted, and vital crops, including paddy, maize, and vegetables, have been destroyed, with over 550 animals lost. Six successful years of project work in the area was, for some, wiped out in two days.

On 3rd March 2025, The Glacier Trust will launch a Crowdfunder campaign to help get these impacted communities back on their feet. With emergency response covered by government bodies, our focus will be the restoration of basic services and facilities for the functioning of a community affected by a disaster, along with the replanting of damaged or destroyed crops and trees to previous levels. We will continue to develop our project work in line with initial plans, with extra focus on rehabilitation, replanting and resilience, ensuring recovery and rehabilitation is sustainable and has long-term impacts.

We will be building up to the launch over the coming weeks, so please do follow us on social media and keep an eye on your inbox!

Solukhumbu Coffee Roastery - Update

All the funds from the GFMe crowd funder have been transferred to the bank account in Nepal of the AgroForestry Resource Centre (AFRC) in Deusa, Solukhumbu, and much of the required equipment has now either been purchased (some of it already stored safely at the AFRC) or is on order from India.

Four quotations were received from different suppliers in line with Nepal Government procurement procedures, and the cheapest supplier was accepted.

Four pieces of the more major equipment – the coffee hulling machine, the grading machine, the roasting machine and the coffee grinder – are on order but are scheduled to be supplied by 16 August, 2024. EcoHimal and the AFRC will then receive specialist local assistance to install and test the equipment, establish the roastery and train the necessary staff in Mukli, where the Thulung Dudhkoshi Local Municipal Government has kindly provided us with spacious accommodation.

Many thanks indeed for your donations large and small – all very much appreciated. Once the roaster has been established and is up and running, we will then send some pics!