Reforestation, Women’s Empowerment, and Climate Resilience in Samagaun, Nepal

Community-Led Environmental Protection in the Manaslu (Nubri) Region

Introduction: Protecting the Himalayas Through Community Action

The Himalayan region of Nepal is one of the most ecologically sensitive areas in the world. High-altitude villages such as Samagaun and Samdo, located in the Nubri Valley of the Manaslu region, are facing increasing pressure from climate change, deforestation, population shifts, and economic hardship. These pressures threaten not only fragile mountain ecosystems but also the traditional livelihoods, food security, and cultural heritage of local communities.

In recent years, however, Samagaun has become a powerful example of how community-led reforestation, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development initiatives can work together to protect the environment while improving quality of life. Through the combined efforts of local people, women’s groups, and supporting organizations such as Peak Aid Japan, Mountaineering Rescue Training Nepal Foundation (MRTFN), and the Himalayan Environment and Life Protection (HELP) initiative, the village is taking meaningful steps toward ecological restoration and long-term resilience.

This blog explores three major pillars of this transformation:

1. The Samagaun Reforestation Project
   
   

2. The role of Ama Samuha (Mother’s Groups) in women’s empowerment and community governance
   
   

3. Climate adaptation and livelihood support through the HELP initiative
   
   

Together, these initiatives show how local knowledge, community ownership, and environmental responsibility can protect the Himalayas for future generations.

Samagaun: A Remote Himalayan Village at a Crossroads

Samagaun is a traditional Tibetan-influenced village located at approximately 3,500 meters above sea level, near the base of Mount Manaslu (8,163 m). The village is accessible only after a 4–5 day walk, as there is no road access, making transportation of goods, food, and materials extremely difficult.

For generations, the people of Samagaun depended on:

• Subsistence agriculture (potatoes, barley, buckwheat)
  
  

• Livestock farming (yaks, sheep)
  
  

• Forest resources for fuel, construction, and income
  
  

However, changes in climate patterns, population needs, and economic opportunities have placed growing stress on forests and farmland. In the past, many villagers cut trees and sold timber to neighboring Tibet as a means of survival. While this provided short-term income, it led to serious deforestation, soil erosion, and environmental degradation.

Today, the community recognizes that protecting forests is essential for survival, not only for biodiversity but also for water sources, disaster prevention, agriculture, and cultural continuity.

The Samagaun Reforestation Project: Restoring Forests, Restoring Balance

Project Background and Objectives

The Samagaun Reforestation Project was established in 2016 with the support of Peak Aid Japan and is coordinated locally by the Mountaineering Rescue Training Nepal Foundation (MRTFN). The project was created in response to the urgent need to restore forest cover in and around Samagaun and to reduce dependence on remaining natural forests.

The primary objectives of the project are:

• To restore degraded forest areas
  
  

• To promote native tree species suitable for high-altitude environments
  
  

• To involve the local community directly in conservation efforts
  
  

• To ensure long-term environmental sustainability
  
  

Plantation Activities and Achievements

Since its inception, the project has focused mainly on planting Sallo trees (Himalayan pine), which are well adapted to the climate, soil, and altitude of the region.

Key achievements include:

• More than 50,000 trees planted to date
  
  

• Plantation sites include:
  
  

• Tau area
  
  

• Pegyap area
  
  

• Gumba area
  
  

• Several private lands
  
  

The first plantation trial, conducted in 2018 in the Tau area, was highly successful. The saplings showed strong, healthy growth, proving that carefully planned reforestation is possible even in harsh mountain conditions.

Every planting season, approximately 12,000 to 15,000 saplings are grown in the nursery and planted in suitable locations. Monitoring has shown a very encouraging survival rate of 80–85% in open plantation areas.

Community Involvement and Sapling Distribution

Community participation is a cornerstone of the project. To strengthen local ownership, the project distributed 16,000 saplings directly to villagers in Samagaun.

• Each household received 100–150 saplings
  
  

• Families planted trees on their private land
  
  

• This approach expanded forest cover beyond public areas
  
  

• It created a sense of responsibility and pride among villagers
  
  

By involving families directly, reforestation is no longer seen as an external project, but as a shared community mission.

Local Management and Nursery Operations

The project is managed by dedicated local staff members:

• Ang Temba
  
  

• Bir Bahadur
  
  

• Tsewang Gyurme
  
  

• Tenzin Norbu
  
  

Their responsibilities include:

• Nursery management
  
  

• Sapling production
  
  

• Plantation and monitoring
  
  

• Coordination with partner organizations
  
  

With continuous support from Peak Aid Foundation and MRTFN, the nursery is well maintained and now produces not only Sallo trees but also other plant species that are in high demand in the region.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Reforestation Beyond Samagaun

The long-term vision of the project includes:

• Increasing sapling production
  
  

• Extending reforestation to neighboring villages
  
  

• Strengthening environmental education
  
  

• Supporting regional forest protection in the Manaslu Conservation Area
  
  

Ama Samuha (Mother’s Group): The Backbone of Community Governance

Women’s Role in Nepali Society

In Nepal, there is a well-known saying:
“Men and women are like two wheels of a cart.”

Yet in reality, women’s contributions are often undervalued, especially in rural and mountain communities. Women perform most of the agricultural work, household labor, childcare, and resource collection, but their work often goes unrecognized.

Many women face:

• Limited access to education
  
  

• Low self-confidence due to social norms
  
  

• Few opportunities for leadership
  
  

• Heavy workloads without decision-making power
  
  

Empowering women is not only a matter of equality—it is essential for sustainable development, community resilience, and environmental protection.

Ama Samuha: A Tradition of Women’s Leadership

Ama Samuha (Mother’s Group) is a traditional volunteer women’s organization that began in rural Nepal during the 1980s. These groups first emerged in Gurung and Magar communities, where many men were serving abroad in the army in Nepal, India, and the United Kingdom.

Initially, Ama Samuha focused on:

• Cultural and religious events
  
  

• Social support within the village
  
  

• Community harmony
  
  

Over time, with support from NGOs and development partners, these groups expanded their role to include:

• Women’s rights and empowerment
  
  

• Community development
  
  

• Health, hygiene, and education
  
  

• Local governance and rule-making
  
  

Ama Samuha in Samagaun: Women Leading Change

In Samagaun, the Ama Samuha operates independently and is one of the few platforms where women can make decisions on their own with full trust from the village.

Their work focuses on:

• Women’s opportunities and responsibilities
  
  

• Authority and leadership
  
  

• Equality and respect in society
  
  

Community Rules and Social Management

The Mother’s Group plays a crucial role in maintaining social discipline and harmony in the village. Some of their important decisions include:

• Allowing gambling games such as cards, Sho Para, and Bag only on Saturdays
  
  

• Limiting alcohol consumption
  
  

• Requiring hotels and small shops to close before 10 PM
  
  

• Promoting a peaceful and respectful village environment
  
  

Community Activities and Cleanliness Programs

Ama Samuha members:

• Organize cultural and community events
  
  

• Prepare food and materials for programs
  
  

• Manage logistics during village gatherings
  
  

• Conduct monthly cleanliness campaigns to clean the entire village
  
  

Through these activities, women have become visible leaders, strengthening both social cohesion and environmental awareness.

Climate Change in the Nubri Region: Growing Challenges

The Nubri region is experiencing rapid climate change, with visible impacts on daily life. These include:

• Increased demand for firewood due to colder temperatures
  
  

• Higher risk of landslides and soil erosion
  
  

• Declining agricultural productivity
  
  

• Reduced availability of traditional crops like potatoes and barley
  
  

Women, who are traditionally responsible for collecting firewood and managing households, are particularly affected. At the same time, many men have left the villages to work illegally in Western countries as low-paid laborers, increasing the burden on women and elderly residents

HELP: Himalayan Environment and Life Protection Initiative

To address these challenges, the Himalayan Environment and Life Protection (HELP) association—founded by Mingyur Rinpoche—launched a comprehensive program to support the communities of Samagaun and Samdo.

The goal of HELP is to:

• Protect fragile ecosystems
  
  

• Support climate adaptation
  
  

• Improve food security
  
  

• Create sustainable livelihoods
  
  

• Empower women
  
  

Community Reforestation and Forest Management in Samdo

Unlike many parts of Nepal, community forest management systems are still developing in the Nubri region. HELP supported the creation of a community reforestation group in Samdo, responsible for managing the village nursery.

Between 2023 and 2024:

• 20,000 local trees were planted
  
  

• Local people managed nursery operations
  
  

• Community ownership was strengthened
  
  

Agroforestry and Biodiversity Protection

HELP also promotes agroforestry, planting trees near farmland to:

• Improve soil fertility
  
  

• Increase biodiversity
  
  

• Protect crops from wind and erosion
  
  

Naturally growing thorn bushes are used as natural barriers to protect fields from yaks, which roam freely before and after the summer grazing season.

Reducing Firewood Consumption in Hotels and Guesthouses

Hotels and guesthouses are the largest consumers of firewood in Samagaun and Samdo. To reduce pressure on forests, HELP encourages the use of oil-filled radiators, which:

• Consume less electricity
  
  

• Provide steady heat
  
  

• Reduce or eliminate wood burning
  
  

Hotels are testing these heaters during the October 2024 trekking season to evaluate their effectiveness.

Sustainable Agriculture and Potato Protection

Potatoes are a staple food in the region, but climate change has caused:

• Smaller potato sizes
  
  

• Increased disease
  
  

• Declining yields
  
  

If not addressed, potato farming may fail within 3–5 years. HELP has launched a long-term project to:

• Introduce new potato seeds over two years
  
  

• Test lab-developed resistant varieties
  
  

• Integrate new crops with traditional farming systems
  
  

• Evaluate results with local communities after three years
  
  

Creating Sustainable Livelihoods and New Markets

To reduce dependence on forest resources, HELP is developing micro-channels for local products, including:

• Medicinal herbs
  
  

• Essential oils
  
  

• Wild garlic
  
  

• Yak cheese
  
  

• Yak wool
  
  

These initiatives aim to:

• Protect biodiversity
  
  

• Create income opportunities
  
  

• Empower women
  
  

• Preserve Himalayan culture and traditional livelihoods
  
  

Women’s Community House: A Space for Independence

As part of its vision for long-term empowerment, HELP is supporting the construction of a women’s community house in Samagaun. This space will allow women to:

• Organize activities
  
  

• Develop skills
  
  

• Manage income-generating projects
  
  

• Strengthen leadership and cooperation
  
  

Conclusion: A Sustainable Future for Samagaun and the Himalayas

The combined efforts of reforestation, women’s leadership, climate adaptation, and sustainable livelihoods are transforming Samagaun and Samdo into models of community-driven environmental protection.

By restoring forests, empowering women through Ama Samuha, and addressing climate challenges through HELP initiatives, these Himalayan villages are building a future that respects nature, culture, and human dignity.

Their story proves that even in the most remote corners of the Himalayas, local action can create global impact.