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Mountain Partnership
Hindu Kush Himalaya
Members of the Hindu Kush-Himalaya initiative
The Hindu Kush-Himalaya is the world’s most populous mountain system (home to over 140 million people) and one which affects the lives of hundreds of millions more beyond. Most Hindu Kush-Himalayan inhabitantsare poor and depend heavily on the land and other natural resources. They mainly farm, herd animals or trade in forest products, such as medicinal plants. Increasing numbers earn a living based on the burgeoning tourist industry: for example, in the areas surrounding Darjiling, Shimla and Katmandu. Logging below 3,750 metres is another notable industry; and relatively small-scale mining operations extract iron ore, gold, and sapphires in the west.
The Hindu Kush-Himalaya is one of the earth’s great water catchments, providing freshwater for fields, industry and drinking in some of the most populated areas of the world. The Himalayan rivers are also used to provide electricity to countless homes, and many more hydroelectric dams are being planned.
The members of the Hindu Kush-Himalaya Initiative met for the first time during the breakaway session dedicated to the issue at the Second Global Meeting of the Mountain Partnership, or ‘Cusco Conference’ (Peru, 28-29 October), where they discussed priority areas for action and potential linkages amongst members. Report: Cusco Conference Breakaway Session (2004)
E-consultation on Biodiversity Conservation in the Hindu-Kush Himalaya (2005) Organized and managed by the Mountain Forum Secretariat, in association with the Mountain Partnership Secretariat and the Asia-Pacific Mountain Network (APMN), the e-consultation attracted participation from members of the Hindu Kush-Himalaya Initiative of the Mountain Partnership, along with invited guests, with the aim of producing a working document for policy advocacy, as well as an agreement on enhanced regional cooperation and the sharing of knowledge and information.
E-consultation on 'Mountain to Mountain Cooperation: Sustainable Use of Biodiversity, including Genetic Resources in the Andes and Himalaya’ (2006) This e-consultation generated an exchange of ideas, experiences and lessons learnt in the management of two critical mountain regions of the world, and aimed to help strengthen existing alliances to conserve and manage biodiversity now and in the future. The e-consultation was managed by the Mountain Forum Secretariat, in association with the Mountain Partnership Secretariat, the Himal-Andes Initiative, the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Asia-Pacific Mountain Network (the Asia-Pacific regional node of the Mountain Forum) and InfoAndina (the Latin American regional node of the Mountain Forum). top
