Aandhikhola School of Bamboo Technologies and River Restoration with Umbrella Organization Nepal - Project 101

Project 101 / 2024 – 2028

Building on the success of our pilot project funded by Luxembourgish Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs from 2022 to 2023, which focused on establishing the project in the selected municipality, identifying beneficiaries, and supporting the community with small-scale activities, we are thrilled to embark on the second phase of our initiative funded by the International Climate Funding through the Luxembourg Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Sustainable Development.

Key objectives:

The project's core objective is to restore the river environment and biodiversity in Waling Municipality, Syangja district, Gandaki province of Nepal while improving the livelihood of the local Majhi community. Leveraging the locally available resource, bamboo, the project aspires to support the community with income-generating activities, promoting its usage instead of wood and contributing to afforestation efforts. Focused on the Majhi community, particularly vulnerable due to the adverse impact of river exploitation, the project addresses their livelihood challenges caused by the loss of steady employment and income.

To carry out these objectives, three main activities are implemented. First, the establishment of a Bamboo Treatment Plant, where bamboo will be processed, and the local population will be trained in its usage for river conservation, crafts, and construction. Second, we will conduct River Restoration training, empowering the target population to contribute to the restoration of the river corridor and making them employable both locally and nationally. Third, we aim to regenerate fish populations in the river through water quality treatment and coordination with local hydropower companies.