Environment

Helambu, like many areas of the Himalayas, contains a unique ecosystem rich with medicinal herbs, wildlife, rare flowers, and other wonders. Helambu and the surrounding areas house some of the Himalayas most endangered and wonderous animals and plants: musk deer, red pandas, langur monkeys, Himalayan bears, yaarchagumba, various incsenses, berries, and so on. However, increased tourist presence, pressure to use artificial fertilizers, “modern” farming techniques, mega water diversion projects, global warming and deforestation are threatening the sustainability of these ecosystems. As a result of global warming, temperatures in mountain communities rise eight times faster than in other parts, increasing the rate at which environment and ecological degradation occurs. Pressure to switch to genetically modified seeds and use pesticides has caused the extinction of varieties of vegetables and plants that were better suited to Himalayan environments, more nutritious, and ecologically sustainable. In 2010, multi-national corporations sold millions of genetically modified corn seeds to farmers across the Himalayas and Nepal, promising larger yields and better harvests. However, the seeds, as is often the case, ended up failing and were in fact sterile, costing farmers who live on less than a dollar a day their yearly incomes.

Helambu Project desires to use local indigenous crops, methods, and traditions to farm sustainably and organically. Rather than replace indigenous models, Helambu Project seeks to develop their inherent capacity with green-friendly, modern environmental techniques. So far, Helambu Project has constructed a greenhouse and begun an organic farm at the Pasang Community School in Gangkharka and begun growing local organic vegetables full of nutrients to feed the children. In order to combat the increasing amount of litter on trekking routes, volunteers have helped us place locally made, bamboo waste baskets along the trails, designed to help locals and foreigners get rid of waste in an environmentally responsible way. Helambu Project is also looking at alternative energy power sources, such as solar and micro-hydro plants for villages in the region.

Get Involved

Volunteer to Farm! If you want to learn about local farming practices or want to work on a organic farm in the Himalayas, then we have need for you! Volunteers can help us plan and implement a wide range of environmental project that help promote the sustainability of the region. All produce form our farm is directly donated to the school to help feed the kids! Get in touch with us to learn more…