Patan Square. One of the iconic historical sites in Kathmandu, Nepal. Photo courtesy of Filip Noubel, used with permission.

Nepal, sitting in the heart of the Himalayan mountain range, has historically been a key crossroads between South, West, and East Asia. This constant churn of diverse cultures and traders has made Nepal into a melting pot of religions, traditions, and culture. 

The Nepali government has invested significant resources in documenting and preserving this unique history, which can be seen at UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Durbar, Patan and Bhaktapur squares.

A Buddha Stupa. Another iconic site in Kathmandu. Photo courtesy of Filip Noubel. Used with Permission.

But Nepal isn’t only interested in preserving the past, its environmental policies are some of the most forward thinking and cutting edge in the world. Because of Nepal’s geography, much of the population lives in the flatlands at the base of the Himalayan mountains, making it especially vulnerable to climate disasters including flooding, glacial lake outbursts, heatwaves, pastoral droughts, and landslides. Therefore, the Nepali government has made climate action a top priority to protect its population and the over 446 endemic plant and animal species that can be found there.

As the world grapples with the climate crisis and most countries continue propagating lackluster climate policies, Nepal should stand as a model for world leaders. One example is its impressive forest restoration efforts, wherein it has doubled the forest cover in its Terai region over the last 25 years. It’s also heavily investing in promoting sustainable agricultural practices in its sizable farming communities. 

Phewa lake in Pokhara, Nepal. Image from Wikimedia Commons. License CC BY-SA 3.0

Nepal is also home to 63 Indigenous groups and has 124 spoken languages. Indigenous leaders have praised the Nepali government for balancing Indigenous rights with its environmental conservation efforts, successfully working with Indigenous leaders to create policies that respect Indigenous traditions while protecting the environment. 

Even so, some communities in Nepal — particularly dalit groups — continue to be marginalized and face added social and economic challenges and barriers in society.

In December 2024, Global Voices will meet in Kathmandu, Nepal for two days of connection, collaboration and conversation with journalists, activists, technologists, and others from around the world. Ahead of this event, we will use this special coverage to explore the complex dynamics of this often underrepresented country, delving into Nepal’s environmental success stories; celebrating its traditions, food, and languages; while acknowledging the existing social and political challenges.