Research interest that include agriculture, rural development, natural resource management, food security, poverty alleviation, regional cooperation, food, water, energy nexus and sustainable development in South and Southeast Asia region. Address: Bangladesh
Bangladesh's rickshaw pullers play a surprisingly vital role in reducing carbon emissions and com... more Bangladesh's rickshaw pullers play a surprisingly vital role in reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change through their human-powered transportation services .
61 lessons learned from community forestry in nepal ICIMOD P artnership Platforms 2/06 (S) Commun... more 61 lessons learned from community forestry in nepal ICIMOD P artnership Platforms 2/06 (S) Community Forestry in Nepal: Achievements, Opportunities, and Challenges: A Case Study of Gadibaraha Community Forest in Dang Abstract Although community forestry has made ...
The rapid boost in construction and agro-tourism activities has significantly threatened the wate... more The rapid boost in construction and agro-tourism activities has significantly threatened the water quality within Bertam River Catchment, Cameron Highlands (BRCC) in Malaysia during the last two decades. The scenario has drawn the attention to investigate the relationship between land use and water quality for the sustainable development of BRCC. Hence, the current research aims at developing an effective model for the sustainable management of BRCC using integrated assessment of scientific findings with quantitative social information. Scientific assessment was carried out to determine the spatio-temporal variations of water quality, to assess the landuse changes and their impacts on water quality, as well as to estimate the spatial distribution of soil erosion under different landuses. To investigate water quality, samples were collected six times from January 2014 to February 2015 from twelve preselected stations. A total of fourteen water quality parameters were analyzed. For la...
The cryosphere (including, snow, glaciers, permafrost, lake and river ice) is an integral element... more The cryosphere (including, snow, glaciers, permafrost, lake and river ice) is an integral element of high mountain regions, which are home to roughly 10% of the global population. Widespread cryosphere changes affect physical, biological and human systems in the mountains and surrounding lowlands, with impacts evident even in the ocean. Building on the IPCC’s 5th Assessment Report (AR5), this chapter assesses new evidence on observed recent and projected changes in the mountain cryosphere as well as associated impacts, risks and adaptation measures related to natural and human systems. Impacts in response to climate changes independently of changes in the cryosphere are not assessed in this chapter. Polar mountains are included in Chapter 3, except those in Alaska and adjacent Yukon, Iceland and Scandinavia, which are included in this chapter.
Defining and deconstructing land tenure is a complex process in South Asia. Tenure is overlapping... more Defining and deconstructing land tenure is a complex process in South Asia. Tenure is overlapping. The same plot of land is perceived as having a different tenure status from state ownership to private ownership, depending on who is asked. Overlaps exist not only between the land use and use rights of various stakeholders but also between de jure and de facto tenure. Hence, getting a clear picture of the tenure stakeholders is the first step towards establishing a successful community-based land use and natural resource management approach like community forestry. As actual use and use rights often overlap, management choices affect the interests of the various stakeholders. That is, the short-term and long-term goals of management and the technologies required to achieve them invariably affect tenure and shares received by competing claimants. Therefore, it is important that a co-management approach involving all stakeholders, and taking into account the interest of various groups ...
This paper illustrates how a pilot project implemented in Bhutan, India, and Nepal, has made a di... more This paper illustrates how a pilot project implemented in Bhutan, India, and Nepal, has made a difference in the lives of women pastoralists, their families, and communities. Highlighting experiences from the project, the paper argues for ensuring easy access to water and energy as ...
Community forest user groups (CFUGs) in three mid-hill districts of Nepal (Dolakha, Ramechhap and... more Community forest user groups (CFUGs) in three mid-hill districts of Nepal (Dolakha, Ramechhap and Okhaldhunga) have been able to practise good forest governance and manage thousands of hectares of community forests, as well as to contribute to improving ...
The Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT), home to diverse ethnic communities locally known as tribals, la... more The Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT), home to diverse ethnic communities locally known as tribals, lags behind in socioeconomic development, with widespread poverty and precarious livelihoods. This paper, using diverse sources of literature, examines the existing livelihood challenges faced by the tribal people of CHT and explores various livelihood options that could improve their well-being. Our analysis revealed that a variety of factors, including geographic, economic, social, historical, and political, affect the livelihoods of tribal people in the CHT. The region's difficult topography, remoteness, poor infrastructure, and past conflicts have hindered development efforts and deterred both private and public sector investments. Although over 60 % of the tribal people depend primarily on agriculture for their livelihoods, many of them are landless. Moreover, tribal communities have limited access to finance, education and training, health services, and markets due to their remote locations, poor infrastructure, and lack of transportation facilities. Our findings suggest that, despite many challenges, there is huge potential to improve the livelihoods of the tribal people. However, it would require a holistic and coordinated approach of managing natural resources, improving human, social, physical, and financial capital, as well as addressing underlying structural and institutional factors. Priority should be given to managing natural resources, improving governance, resolving land disputes, investing in infrastructure, improving access to markets and financial services, and developing skills and knowledge. This paper outlines a framework to address the existing challenges and harness the opportunities to promote sustainable livelihoods in CHT.
Bangladesh's rickshaw pullers play a surprisingly vital role in reducing carbon emissions and com... more Bangladesh's rickshaw pullers play a surprisingly vital role in reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change through their human-powered transportation services .
61 lessons learned from community forestry in nepal ICIMOD P artnership Platforms 2/06 (S) Commun... more 61 lessons learned from community forestry in nepal ICIMOD P artnership Platforms 2/06 (S) Community Forestry in Nepal: Achievements, Opportunities, and Challenges: A Case Study of Gadibaraha Community Forest in Dang Abstract Although community forestry has made ...
The rapid boost in construction and agro-tourism activities has significantly threatened the wate... more The rapid boost in construction and agro-tourism activities has significantly threatened the water quality within Bertam River Catchment, Cameron Highlands (BRCC) in Malaysia during the last two decades. The scenario has drawn the attention to investigate the relationship between land use and water quality for the sustainable development of BRCC. Hence, the current research aims at developing an effective model for the sustainable management of BRCC using integrated assessment of scientific findings with quantitative social information. Scientific assessment was carried out to determine the spatio-temporal variations of water quality, to assess the landuse changes and their impacts on water quality, as well as to estimate the spatial distribution of soil erosion under different landuses. To investigate water quality, samples were collected six times from January 2014 to February 2015 from twelve preselected stations. A total of fourteen water quality parameters were analyzed. For la...
The cryosphere (including, snow, glaciers, permafrost, lake and river ice) is an integral element... more The cryosphere (including, snow, glaciers, permafrost, lake and river ice) is an integral element of high mountain regions, which are home to roughly 10% of the global population. Widespread cryosphere changes affect physical, biological and human systems in the mountains and surrounding lowlands, with impacts evident even in the ocean. Building on the IPCC’s 5th Assessment Report (AR5), this chapter assesses new evidence on observed recent and projected changes in the mountain cryosphere as well as associated impacts, risks and adaptation measures related to natural and human systems. Impacts in response to climate changes independently of changes in the cryosphere are not assessed in this chapter. Polar mountains are included in Chapter 3, except those in Alaska and adjacent Yukon, Iceland and Scandinavia, which are included in this chapter.
Defining and deconstructing land tenure is a complex process in South Asia. Tenure is overlapping... more Defining and deconstructing land tenure is a complex process in South Asia. Tenure is overlapping. The same plot of land is perceived as having a different tenure status from state ownership to private ownership, depending on who is asked. Overlaps exist not only between the land use and use rights of various stakeholders but also between de jure and de facto tenure. Hence, getting a clear picture of the tenure stakeholders is the first step towards establishing a successful community-based land use and natural resource management approach like community forestry. As actual use and use rights often overlap, management choices affect the interests of the various stakeholders. That is, the short-term and long-term goals of management and the technologies required to achieve them invariably affect tenure and shares received by competing claimants. Therefore, it is important that a co-management approach involving all stakeholders, and taking into account the interest of various groups ...
This paper illustrates how a pilot project implemented in Bhutan, India, and Nepal, has made a di... more This paper illustrates how a pilot project implemented in Bhutan, India, and Nepal, has made a difference in the lives of women pastoralists, their families, and communities. Highlighting experiences from the project, the paper argues for ensuring easy access to water and energy as ...
Community forest user groups (CFUGs) in three mid-hill districts of Nepal (Dolakha, Ramechhap and... more Community forest user groups (CFUGs) in three mid-hill districts of Nepal (Dolakha, Ramechhap and Okhaldhunga) have been able to practise good forest governance and manage thousands of hectares of community forests, as well as to contribute to improving ...
The Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT), home to diverse ethnic communities locally known as tribals, la... more The Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT), home to diverse ethnic communities locally known as tribals, lags behind in socioeconomic development, with widespread poverty and precarious livelihoods. This paper, using diverse sources of literature, examines the existing livelihood challenges faced by the tribal people of CHT and explores various livelihood options that could improve their well-being. Our analysis revealed that a variety of factors, including geographic, economic, social, historical, and political, affect the livelihoods of tribal people in the CHT. The region's difficult topography, remoteness, poor infrastructure, and past conflicts have hindered development efforts and deterred both private and public sector investments. Although over 60 % of the tribal people depend primarily on agriculture for their livelihoods, many of them are landless. Moreover, tribal communities have limited access to finance, education and training, health services, and markets due to their remote locations, poor infrastructure, and lack of transportation facilities. Our findings suggest that, despite many challenges, there is huge potential to improve the livelihoods of the tribal people. However, it would require a holistic and coordinated approach of managing natural resources, improving human, social, physical, and financial capital, as well as addressing underlying structural and institutional factors. Priority should be given to managing natural resources, improving governance, resolving land disputes, investing in infrastructure, improving access to markets and financial services, and developing skills and knowledge. This paper outlines a framework to address the existing challenges and harness the opportunities to promote sustainable livelihoods in CHT.
Malnutrition remains a serious challenge in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region and still affec... more Malnutrition remains a serious challenge in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region and still affects a large proportion of the population. The challenges and issues of nutrition security in mountain areas are different to those in the plains, and need special attention from governments. We examine the status of nutrition security in the mountain areas of the HKH countries and identify the key issues and challenges, and the potential role of Himalayan traditional crops in addressing these challenges. Based on our findings, we suggest an integrated approach towards achieving nutrition security in the mountain areas of the HKH region. The study found that the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight in children under five in some mountain areas such as Meghalaya in India, the western mountains and far-western hills of Nepal, Balochistan province in Pakistan, the eastern region of Afghanistan, and Chin state in Myanmar, is very high compared to the national average in the respective countries. Children and women are affected most. Poor nutrition leaves children underweight, weakened, and susceptible to infection, and ultimately stunted and deprived of cognitive and learning capacity. Any intervention should have a special focus on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, at the peak of their vulnerability. Women play a significant role in the nutritional outcome of their children and other household members and should be empowered to make favourable decisions that help improve the nutritional status of the family. There are several causes of undernutrition and malnutrition in the HKH region and an integrated approach is needed to tackle the issues. Malnutrition is a multidimensional problem that demands a multisectoral approach, but nutrition interventions often work in isolation and fail to include the agricultural, social, cultural, economic, and public health dimensions. Policies should recognize that nutrition issues are cross-cutting; nutrition needs to be integrated into all development processes and targeted nutrition programmes should be combined with poverty alleviation programmes. The study proposes an integrated framework to improve nutrition in the HKH region effectively. The key elements are as follows; it is hoped that they will stimulate discussion on future action: Key Elements of the Proposed Integrated Framework for Improving Nutritional Status Create an enabling policy environment • Mainstream nutrition aspects across sectors: increase policy coherence by integrating nutrition security into development policies and programmes and aligning these with nutrition goals. Prioritize nutritionally high-risk areas, communities, households, and individuals such as children, pregnant women, lactating mothers. • Consider introducing regulations to minimize the promotion of less-healthy foods and beverages, particularly sugar-sweetened high calorie beverages and nutrient-poor fast foods. Leverage agriculture for nutrition and health • Incorporate nutritional aspects into agricultural policies and programmes. • Intensify research on the biofortification of staple foods for the poor and on product diversification through processing and value addition. • Incorporate explicit nutritional objectives and indicators into agricultural investments. • Promote crop diversity and conservation of agrobiodiversity, especially of nutrition-rich traditional crops, and rejuvenate local food production systems. • Foster the adoption of biofortified local crop varieties by smallholders vi Create economic opportunities for small scale farmers and the rural poor • Foster income generation for small-scale farmers by expanding financial and technical assistance and improving the infrastructure and institutional setting for processing and marketing of agricultural produce and value-added products. • Increase economic efficiency by reducing food loss during processing, storage, and distribution of agricultural produce. Improve legislation around retail systems to reduce wastage at the retail and consumption levels. Increase rural non-farm economic opportunities by creating and strengthening institutional mechanism to create job opportunities in foods processing, manufacturing and the service industry, with special consideration of youth. Empower women, create and spread knowledge and awareness • Empower women by improving their knowledge, control of resources, and bargaining power within the household to enable them to make good decisions on matters related to family health, education, and food. • Create awareness programmes on breastfeeding and child-care practices for (pregnant and lactating) women. • Provide nutrition sensitive social protection systems and scale them up. Provide micronutrient supplements for children and mothers when necessary. • Include nutrition education in primary and secondary school curriculums. Improve access to water, sanitation, and health facilities • Provide access to adequate water and sanitation facilities. • Improve access to and use of safe health services, and ensure a safe and hygienic environment.
Bangladesh has shown a strong economic performance in recent years. Following commendable achieve... more Bangladesh has shown a strong economic performance in recent years. Following commendable achievements towards fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the government is now committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The SDGs represent a transformative agenda and visionary plan of action that will transform the economies and societies of developing countries with a view to eliminating poverty by 2030. The agenda is not simply about protection from vulnerability or destitution; it is about broader economic, social, and political transformation. There is wide disparity in development across the nation and some areas like the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) – left behind economically and with a history of social tensions – will require special attention to ensure timely achievement of the SDGs while promoting social harmony. To avoid intensifying existing inequities, CHT will require context-specific strategies to achieve the SDGs. The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is an ethnically, culturally, and topographically diverse region of Bangladesh with a population of approximately 1.6 million, including 12 ethnic communities with distinct tribal cultures and traditions. The region has rich natural and environmental resources with hills, forests, rivers, and lakes, a diverse flora and fauna, and areas of outstanding scenic beauty. The majority of the population relies on subsistence farming, and especially jhum farming practices. With increased environmental degradation and a low capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate change, the current agricultural practices can no longer sustain the population of the region. The region provides important ecosystem services that play a significant role in economic development, environmental protection, ecological sustainability, and human wellbeing, both in the CHT itself and downstream. Nevertheless, the CHT remains one of the most disadvantaged regions in the country and lags behind in almost all development indicators. More than 60% of households live below the poverty line and more than half do not have access to safe drinking water or sanitation facilities. This paper sheds light on the importance of localizing the SDGs, while exploring the socioeconomic issues, development challenges, and potential and opportunities in the CHT. It discusses the development potential of the region in various sectors, assesses the present situation, identifies key issues and gaps, and suggests policy options and strategic mechanisms to optimize the full potential, expedite socioeconomic development, and achieve the SDGs. This paper provides examples of good practices drawn from experience in neighbouring countries facing similar issues that can be replicated in the CHT region. The CHT has a significant potential for development in horticulture, high-value agricultural products, beekeeping, livestock, fisheries, agro-based micro-enterprises, tourism, forestry, and water resources management. Value chain development with agribusiness can play a key role in enhancing rural livelihoods, while tourism can help increase opportunities for off-farm employment. Forests will play a vital role in stabilizing the fragile landscape, protecting water resources, biodiversity conservation, and supporting daily needs. Integrated watershed management, together with community-led forest management to halt forest degradation and promote conservation and regeneration, can contribute substantially to development efforts. Careful attention must be paid to understanding the hill and mountain context of the CHT, the spatial disadvantages and advantages, the ethnic and cultural diversity, and the constraints and opportunities. The SDGs need to be tailored to the CHT context so that they provide the scope for creating a long-term vision and planning appropriate action, while successful implementation will necessitate fostering multi-stakeholder engagement among government, local communities, development agencies, the private sector, NGOs, academia, and research organizations. An enabling framework is presented with a multipronged integrated strategy for working towards realization of the SDGs. The key elements of the framework are: Ensuring peace, stability, and governance, putting in place appropriate policies, strengthening institutions, and making the financial and technical resources available to provide the overall framework conditions for implementing the SDGs;
Malnutrition remains a serious challenge in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region and still affec... more Malnutrition remains a serious challenge in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region and still affects a large proportion of the population. The challenges and issues of nutrition security in mountain areas are different to those in the plains, and need special attention from governments. We examine the status of nutrition security in the mountain areas of the HKH countries and identify the key issues and challenges, and the potential role of Himalayan traditional crops in addressing these challenges. Based on our findings, we suggest an integrated approach towards achieving nutrition security in the mountain areas of the HKH region. The study found that the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight in children under five in some mountain areas such as Meghalaya in India, the western mountains and far-western hills of Nepal, Balochistan province in Pakistan, the eastern region of Afghanistan, and Chin state in Myanmar, is very high compared to the national average in the respective countries. Children and women are affected most. Poor nutrition leaves children underweight, weakened, and susceptible to infection, and ultimately stunted and deprived of cognitive and learning capacity. Any intervention should have a special focus on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, at the peak of their vulnerability. Women play a significant role in the nutritional outcome of their children and other household members and should be empowered to make favourable decisions that help improve the nutritional status of the family. There are several causes of undernutrition and malnutrition in the HKH region and an integrated approach is needed to tackle the issues. Malnutrition is a multidimensional problem that demands a multisectoral approach, but nutrition interventions often work in isolation and fail to include the agricultural, social, cultural, economic, and public health dimensions. Policies should recognize that nutrition issues are cross-cutting; nutrition needs to be integrated into all development processes and targeted nutrition programmes should be combined with poverty alleviation programmes. The study proposes an integrated framework to improve nutrition in the HKH region effectively.
Adaptation to climate change has received increased attention in recent years in the academic and... more Adaptation to climate change has received increased attention in recent years in the academic and development discourse. Effective adaptation to climate change requires the efficient use of land, water, energy, and other vital resources, together with coordinated efforts to minimize trade-offs and maximize synergies. The concept of water, energy, and food nexus is considered to be an effective mechanism for enhancing resource use efficiency, minimizing trade-offs, and maximizing synergies in resource use. However, as in many developing countries, the policy process in the countries of South Asia generally follows a sectoral approach that does not take into account the interconnections and interdependence among the three sectors. In designing effective adaptation strategies, it is critical to understand the linkages between the nexus perspective and adaptation to climate change. This paper seeks to increase understanding of the interlinkages in the water, energy, and food nexus, explains why it is important to consider this nexus in the context of adaptation responses, and argues that focusing on trade-offs and synergies using a nexus approach could facilitate greater climate change adaptation and help ensure food, water, and energy security by enhancing resource use efficiency and encouraging greater policy coherence. The paper provides a conceptual framework for considering the nexus approach in relation to climate change adaptation, discusses the potential synergies, and finally offers a broader framework and reform measures for making adaptation responses more effective and sustainable.
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Papers by Golam Rasul
proportion of the population. The challenges and issues of nutrition security in mountain areas are different to
those in the plains, and need special attention from governments. We examine the status of nutrition security in
the mountain areas of the HKH countries and identify the key issues and challenges, and the potential role of
Himalayan traditional crops in addressing these challenges. Based on our findings, we suggest an integrated
approach towards achieving nutrition security in the mountain areas of the HKH region.
The study found that the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight in children under five in some mountain
areas such as Meghalaya in India, the western mountains and far-western hills of Nepal, Balochistan province in
Pakistan, the eastern region of Afghanistan, and Chin state in Myanmar, is very high compared to the national
average in the respective countries. Children and women are affected most. Poor nutrition leaves children
underweight, weakened, and susceptible to infection, and ultimately stunted and deprived of cognitive and learning
capacity. Any intervention should have a special focus on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, at the peak of
their vulnerability. Women play a significant role in the nutritional outcome of their children and other household
members and should be empowered to make favourable decisions that help improve the nutritional status of the
family.
There are several causes of undernutrition and malnutrition in the HKH region and an integrated approach is
needed to tackle the issues. Malnutrition is a multidimensional problem that demands a multisectoral approach,
but nutrition interventions often work in isolation and fail to include the agricultural, social, cultural, economic,
and public health dimensions. Policies should recognize that nutrition issues are cross-cutting; nutrition needs to
be integrated into all development processes and targeted nutrition programmes should be combined with poverty
alleviation programmes. The study proposes an integrated framework to improve nutrition in the HKH region
effectively. The key elements are as follows; it is hoped that they will stimulate discussion on future action:
Key Elements of the Proposed Integrated Framework for Improving
Nutritional Status
Create an enabling policy environment
• Mainstream nutrition aspects across sectors: increase policy coherence by integrating nutrition security into
development policies and programmes and aligning these with nutrition goals. Prioritize nutritionally high-risk
areas, communities, households, and individuals such as children, pregnant women, lactating mothers.
• Consider introducing regulations to minimize the promotion of less-healthy foods and beverages, particularly
sugar-sweetened high calorie beverages and nutrient-poor fast foods.
Leverage agriculture for nutrition and health
• Incorporate nutritional aspects into agricultural policies and programmes.
• Intensify research on the biofortification of staple foods for the poor and on product diversification through
processing and value addition.
• Incorporate explicit nutritional objectives and indicators into agricultural investments.
• Promote crop diversity and conservation of agrobiodiversity, especially of nutrition-rich traditional crops, and
rejuvenate local food production systems.
• Foster the adoption of biofortified local crop varieties by smallholders
vi
Create economic opportunities for small scale farmers and the rural poor
• Foster income generation for small-scale farmers by expanding financial and technical assistance and improving
the infrastructure and institutional setting for processing and marketing of agricultural produce and value-added
products.
• Increase economic efficiency by reducing food loss during processing, storage, and distribution of agricultural
produce. Improve legislation around retail systems to reduce wastage at the retail and consumption levels.
Increase rural non-farm economic opportunities by creating and strengthening institutional mechanism to
create job opportunities in foods processing, manufacturing and the service industry, with special consideration
of youth.
Empower women, create and spread knowledge and awareness
• Empower women by improving their knowledge, control of resources, and bargaining power within the
household to enable them to make good decisions on matters related to family health, education, and food.
• Create awareness programmes on breastfeeding and child-care practices for (pregnant and lactating) women.
• Provide nutrition sensitive social protection systems and scale them up. Provide micronutrient supplements for
children and mothers when necessary.
• Include nutrition education in primary and secondary school curriculums.
Improve access to water, sanitation, and health facilities
• Provide access to adequate water and sanitation facilities.
• Improve access to and use of safe health services, and ensure a safe and hygienic environment.
towards fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the government is now committed to achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The SDGs represent a transformative agenda and visionary plan
of action that will transform the economies and societies of developing countries with a view to eliminating poverty
by 2030. The agenda is not simply about protection from vulnerability or destitution; it is about broader economic,
social, and political transformation. There is wide disparity in development across the nation and some areas like
the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) – left behind economically and with a history of social tensions – will require special
attention to ensure timely achievement of the SDGs while promoting social harmony. To avoid intensifying existing
inequities, CHT will require context-specific strategies to achieve the SDGs.
The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is an ethnically, culturally, and topographically diverse region of Bangladesh with a
population of approximately 1.6 million, including 12 ethnic communities with distinct tribal cultures and traditions.
The region has rich natural and environmental resources with hills, forests, rivers, and lakes, a diverse flora and
fauna, and areas of outstanding scenic beauty. The majority of the population relies on subsistence farming, and
especially jhum farming practices. With increased environmental degradation and a low capacity to adapt to the
impacts of climate change, the current agricultural practices can no longer sustain the population of the region. The
region provides important ecosystem services that play a significant role in economic development, environmental
protection, ecological sustainability, and human wellbeing, both in the CHT itself and downstream. Nevertheless,
the CHT remains one of the most disadvantaged regions in the country and lags behind in almost all development
indicators. More than 60% of households live below the poverty line and more than half do not have access to safe
drinking water or sanitation facilities.
This paper sheds light on the importance of localizing the SDGs, while exploring the socioeconomic issues,
development challenges, and potential and opportunities in the CHT. It discusses the development potential of
the region in various sectors, assesses the present situation, identifies key issues and gaps, and suggests policy
options and strategic mechanisms to optimize the full potential, expedite socioeconomic development, and achieve
the SDGs.
This paper provides examples of good practices drawn from experience in neighbouring countries facing similar
issues that can be replicated in the CHT region. The CHT has a significant potential for development in horticulture,
high-value agricultural products, beekeeping, livestock, fisheries, agro-based micro-enterprises, tourism, forestry,
and water resources management. Value chain development with agribusiness can play a key role in enhancing
rural livelihoods, while tourism can help increase opportunities for off-farm employment. Forests will play a vital
role in stabilizing the fragile landscape, protecting water resources, biodiversity conservation, and supporting
daily needs. Integrated watershed management, together with community-led forest management to halt forest
degradation and promote conservation and regeneration, can contribute substantially to development efforts.
Careful attention must be paid to understanding the hill and mountain context of the CHT, the spatial disadvantages
and advantages, the ethnic and cultural diversity, and the constraints and opportunities. The SDGs need to be
tailored to the CHT context so that they provide the scope for creating a long-term vision and planning appropriate
action, while successful implementation will necessitate fostering multi-stakeholder engagement among government,
local communities, development agencies, the private sector, NGOs, academia, and research organizations.
An enabling framework is presented with a multipronged integrated strategy for working towards realization of the
SDGs. The key elements of the framework are:
Ensuring peace, stability, and governance, putting in place appropriate policies, strengthening institutions,
and making the financial and technical resources available to provide the overall framework conditions for
implementing the SDGs;
proportion of the population. The challenges and issues of nutrition security in mountain areas are different to
those in the plains, and need special attention from governments. We examine the status of nutrition security in
the mountain areas of the HKH countries and identify the key issues and challenges, and the potential role of
Himalayan traditional crops in addressing these challenges. Based on our findings, we suggest an integrated
approach towards achieving nutrition security in the mountain areas of the HKH region.
The study found that the prevalence of stunting, wasting, and underweight in children under five in some mountain
areas such as Meghalaya in India, the western mountains and far-western hills of Nepal, Balochistan province in
Pakistan, the eastern region of Afghanistan, and Chin state in Myanmar, is very high compared to the national
average in the respective countries. Children and women are affected most. Poor nutrition leaves children
underweight, weakened, and susceptible to infection, and ultimately stunted and deprived of cognitive and learning
capacity. Any intervention should have a special focus on the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, at the peak of
their vulnerability. Women play a significant role in the nutritional outcome of their children and other household
members and should be empowered to make favourable decisions that help improve the nutritional status of the
family.
There are several causes of undernutrition and malnutrition in the HKH region and an integrated approach is
needed to tackle the issues. Malnutrition is a multidimensional problem that demands a multisectoral approach,
but nutrition interventions often work in isolation and fail to include the agricultural, social, cultural, economic,
and public health dimensions. Policies should recognize that nutrition issues are cross-cutting; nutrition needs to
be integrated into all development processes and targeted nutrition programmes should be combined with poverty
alleviation programmes. The study proposes an integrated framework to improve nutrition in the HKH region
effectively.