Reviving faith leadership in Nepal

Alpine rangelands are rich in biodiversity and provide vital resources for local communities and economies. For generations, these landscapes have been managed through indigenous systems, including stewardship by Buddhist healers known as Amchis. However, unclear governance and growing pressures on natural resources have contributed to the degradation of these fragile rangelands. At the same time, traditional healthcare provided by Amchis – critical for the local communities’ wellbeing – is also at risk.    

With support from the UK Government through the Darwin Initiative, this project is developing an innovative rangeland co-management model in Dolpa. The initiative aims to strengthen community stewardship and revive the role of Amchis in sustainable rangeland management. By promoting sustainable harvesting of medicinal plants and phasing out the use of illegal wildlife parts in traditional medicine, the project supports both ecosystem restoration and new livelihood opportunities for local communities. By working with Amchis and enabling them to adapt to current conditions, the project also contributes to communities’ wellbeing and preservation of the ancient traditional knowledge.

The project will strengthen community leadership and capacity to manage natural resources sustainably, directly benefiting more than 600 households living in and around the project area. By supporting indigenous communities that depend on rangeland ecosystems, the initiative will help sustain traditional livelihoods while creating new opportunities for income generation, including nature-based tourism. At the same time, it will preserve valuable traditional knowledge and leadership in rangeland management, helping communities adapt to the growing impacts of climate change. Through improved awareness and training in sustainable harvesting practices, at least 300 households will benefit from better management of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), including improved storage and more efficient supply chains that reduce waste and increase economic returns.

The project will also promote sustainable traditional medicine (TM) practices by supporting behaviour change, strengthening community capacity, and establishing traditional wellness and healing centres. These efforts will help phase out the use of wildlife ingredients while maintaining culturally appropriate healthcare and creating additional livelihood opportunities linked to wellness and tourism. Over the long term, healthier and better-managed rangeland ecosystems will strengthen food, water, and economic security for remote mountain communities. The co-management approach developed through this project has the potential to benefit more than 2,500 households across Shey Phoksundo National Park and serve as a scalable model for sustainable, community-led development across Nepal’s Himalayan region.