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Background

Since 2016, International Mountain Museum (IMM), Pokhara has been celebrating the Mountain Festival in commemoration of International Mountain Day, observed annually on December 11. This year, the 9th Mountain Festival will take place from December 8–12, 2024, at the IMM premises in Pokhara. FAO, as the Secretariat of the Mountain Partnership and a leading agency working on the mountain agenda, is collaborating with IMM to organize the event.

IMM will serve as the venue to launch the inaugural Annual Mountain Festival. Through strategic partnerships, local engagement, and multiple activities, the space will be transformed to celebrate the importance of mountains, mountain communities, and mountain culture. The festival will also highlight sustainable growth and innovative approaches to reducing poverty, sustaining livelihoods, and addressing environmental concerns.

The festival, organized in alignment with International Mountain Day on December 11, aims to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is expected to explore best practices and techniques in the following thematic areas:

• Mountain Economy
• Mountain Biodiversity
• Mountain Cultures
• Mountain Agriculture
• Mountain Women
• Mountain and Climate Change

Through active participation from mountain communities, the festival will highlight the importance of climate change adaptation, mountain farming, sustainable development, and the various sources of income that mountain environments provide, such as tourism, high-value mountain products, and handicrafts. Additionally, the festival will emphasize the challenges and opportunities for mountain development and foster partnerships between stakeholders to drive positive change.

The specific objectives are:

• Raise public awareness about the importance of mountain ecosystems, biodiversity, and the sustainable use of mountain resources.
• Enhance livelihoods for mountain communities by showcasing sustainable practices and innovative solutions.
• Explore restoration techniques for mountain ecosystems and share knowledge on sustainable mountain practices.
• Promote indigenous knowledge and modern approaches to climate change adaptation, particularly in mountain communities.
• Provide a forum for discussing the socio-economic impacts of mountain tourism, mountaineering, and the production of mountain products.
• Build strategic partnerships for the sustainable development of mountain regions through collaboration between governments, research institutes, private companies, NGOs, and local communities.

Proposed Program

• Knowledge and Resource Development

Activities will focus on addressing the challenges faced by mountain ecosystems, mountain economies, and cultures. Through panel presentations, participatory workshops, film screenings, art displays, and other activities, participants will gain insights into the solutions needed for the conservation and sustainable development of mountains.

• Technology and Innovation

The exhibition will showcase innovative approaches to mountain sustainability, focusing on sustainable livelihoods, alternative technologies, and ecosystem restoration practices. This segment will provide valuable information and skills-building tools for addressing the challenges faced by mountain regions.

• Celebration of Mountain Communities, Culture and Activities

The festival will celebrate the diverse cultures, languages, and traditions of mountain communities, as well as the region's biodiversity. Activities will include competitions such as traditional stone-throwing (Chelo), ethnic food offerings, popular mountain sports like wall climbing, art exhibitions, and painting contests, all aimed at engaging visitors and celebrating mountain diversity.

Some of the other proposed programs:

1. Technology & Innovations promotion and demonstration fair
2. Mountain products promotional fair
3. Traditional Stone Throwing (Chelo) competition and Archery (demonstration)
4. Mountain films screening
5. Talk programs/workshops
6. Zeepling (demonstration)
7. Sport climbing activity- Bouldering (demonstration)

Expected Outcomes

The successful completion of the Mountain Festival is expected to lead to the following outcomes:

1. Promotion and sale of local mountain goods, leading to improved financial conditions for mountain communities.
2. Increased awareness among mountain people about the importance of mountain ecosystems, climate change, and sustainable tourism practices.
3. Empowerment of local communities through knowledge-sharing and a better understanding of the need to preserve mountain biodiversity and ecosystems.
4. Heightened awareness of the consequences of ecosystem deterioration, including species extinction and threats to human livelihoods.
5. Knowledge exchange on local technologies and practices that contribute to mountain sustainability and community resilience.
6. Formulation of strategies for the conservation and sustainable management of mountain ecosystems, informed by discussions on past, present, and future challenges.

Role of FAO

Establishment of an FAO Pavilion at the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara

In alignment with FAO’s commitment to sustainable mountain development, the IMM has allocated exhibition space for FAO. This pavilion will showcase mountain agriculture, particularly indigenous practices, to both national and international audiences. The pavilion will feature:

3D Model of the Yak Value Chain

• Representation of mountain landscapes and yak movement trails
• Demonstration of agricultural practices
• Miniature traditional agricultural tools and equipment

Wild Honey Harvesting Model along with its geography

• A display showcasing the geography and methods of wild honey harvesting.

Additionally, video presentations on FAO’s Mountain Agenda and a showcase of indigenous mountain products will be included. These exhibits will be inaugurated on 8 December 2024.

Mountain Product Video Showcasing

The six videos showcasing Nepal's unique mountain agricultural products, developed by FAO Nepal, will be presented at the International Mountain Museum during the five-day event. These 5-minute videos will highlight the cultivation, processing, and significance of mountain agriculture, celebrating the resilience and heritage of Nepal's mountain communities.

Exhibition

FAO will have a stall to showcase innovative approaches to mountain sustainability and alternative livelihoods. The stall will also highlight the involvement of the World Food Forum Nepal Chapter in agrifood system transformation. Requests have been sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and local governments to showcase their innovative initiatives related to the mountain agenda. A total of 8 stalls will be allocated to FAO and its stakeholders out of the 18 stalls available.

 Inauguration of the Festival

A special remark will be delivered by the FAO Representative for Bhutan and Nepal, highlighting FAO’s work on mountain sustainability, particularly in Nepal. As per the practice of the IMM, a tree will be planted in the name of the representative as his first visit and part of the inauguration. The inaugural session is proposed to start at 11:00 AM, with the schedule pending from IMM.

 Tree Plantation Ceremony

As part of IMM’s tradition, a tree will be planted in honor of the FAO Representative’s first visit. This symbolic gesture aligns the commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, marking the representative’s contribution to mountain conservation.

 Panel Discussion

A panel discussion is planned for the afternoon of December 8, 2024, on the theme “Mountain Solutions for a Sustainable Future: Innovation, Adaptation, Youth, and Beyond.”