“Chepang, Chiuri and Chamero”
Bagmati Province, Nepal | Forestry Youth Network | 2022
We are the Forestry Youth Network, a dedicated group rooted in and around the Bagmati Province. We're fiercely committed to advocating for climate justice and supporting the livelihoods of indigenous communities, particularly in the Chure region where unique ecosystems are under increasing threat.
The Right-Sized Problem
The Chiuri tree, bats, and the Chepang community form a unique and symbiotic ecosystem that is facing serious challenges.
What did we do?
To truly understand what's at stake, we started by talking to the people most directly affected: the Chepang community. By conducting surveys, we delved into the cultural, economic, and social significance of the Chiuri plant, which is crucial for the livelihoods of the Chepang people.
Armed with our findings, we launched educational programs for schools, universities, and the broader community. Our mission? To share insights on sustainable practices tied to Chiuri tree conservation. And we didn't just stick to words; we made an impact documentary film to vividly bring the issue to life. This film was an integral part of our school programs that covered conservation, tree planting, and beehive farming.
We knew that a challenge of this magnitude couldn't be tackled alone, so we brought in a diverse array of voices. From professors and students to social activists and government officials, we harvested a wealth of perspectives and resources. Special shoutout to Professors Beeju Poudyal and Prabin Poudel, whose technical insights were invaluable, as well as the Forest Officer from the Rapti Forest Division who provided key community insights.
Campaign Impact
Thanks to a blend of community-led actions, our message found its way deep into the heart of the remote Chepang community. Our impact film about the endangered Chiuri tree resonated far and wide, amplified by the airwaves of Manahari FM, a popular local radio station. All told, we reached more than 5,000 people, both online and offline. This campaign served as a significant pilot phase for us, a test run that has set the stage for future endeavors. With the technical and financial support we received during the Shift Campaign, we're more empowered and motivated than ever. We now feel better equipped and more confident in our journey to secure a more sustainable and just future. We are the Forestry Youth Network, and this is just the beginning.
Campaign Impact in Numbers
500 young people mobilsed
60 members of Indigenous community mobilised
4 schools and 1 university activated
6 new strategic partnerships formed
Words from Eco Warriors
“Different climate change mitigation measures were applied previously on my local level and the main thing that occurred to me was that it is necessary to convey messages even to people in rural areas that have no idea about climate change but are facing serious impacts on their lives. And with the completion of this campaign I realized that this is not the end of the campaign but the start of our journey with climate-related issues.”” – Oshika Khadka, 20, she/her
“After undertaking the Shift journey I felt more confident in building and executing campaigns as the Shift environment was so friendly and we got proper guidance from seniors regarding the related topics.” – Shabana Parbin, 21, she/her
