Building sustainable futures through bioengineering and enterprise development training in Nepal

From 23–26 April 2024, community members came together in Tatopani-3, a village in Jumla, Nepal for a training session on cost-effective bioengineering and enterprise development. Aimed at enhancing local capacities for sustainable mountain livelihoods, the event was organized by RECOFTC Nepal, Winrock International and People, Energy & Environment Development Association (PEEDA) through the WISIONS Innovation Lab in Nepal project. 

The WISIONS Innovation Lab has been actively promoting the transition to sustainable energy systems in the Global South. The WISIONS Innovation in Nepal project, implemented by RECOFTC Nepal, aims at strengthening the livelihoods of rural populations by applying localized renewable energy solutions in combination with sustainable landscape management practices. We are facilitating the application of sustainable landscape management solutions by conducting capacity analysis and needs assessments for livelihood enhancements; coordinating and capacitating stakeholders through workshops and developing local action plans; and supporting the promotion and adoption of sustainable land use practices.

The April event sought to empower local stakeholders, promote sustainable livelihoods and foster resilience against environmental challenges. The training saw participation from various sectors. Attendees included members of Girikhola Micro Hydro-power Project, Siddhibinayak and Thalachaur community forest user groups, members of Dhauligad agriculture groups and officials from Tatopani Municipality. Of the 28 people attending, 12 were women.

The primary aim was to develop a knowledgeable and skilled group of individuals who recognize the roles that bioengineering techniques can play in enhancing the resilience of their micro-hydro projects (MHPs). A specific objective was to include relevant stakeholders in the planning process to reduce the impact of floods and landslides. Another aim was to foster coordination between community members and local government to promote local enterprise development and the application of bioengineering techniques.

Enterprise development: Laying the foundations

On 23–24 April, the focus was on the enterprise development process. The goal was to equip participants with essential knowledge and skills for entrepreneurship. The sessions delved into various aspects crucial for successful enterprise establishment and growth in Nepal. A significant portion of the training was dedicated to understanding the legal procedures for enterprise registration, essential for navigating regulatory governance effectively. 

Addressing gender-specific challenges, particularly those encountered by women entrepreneurs, was another vital aspect covered. This was supplemented by inspiring case studies highlighting successful women-led ventures in Nepal. Additionally, participants engaged in group exercises focusing on sub-sector analysis, enabling them to identify local products with high potential for business ventures.

The trainees identified five promising sub-sectors for local enterprise development: radi-pakhi (local wool products), apple processing, beekeeping, Himalayan wild cherry or ‘dhatelo’ (Prinsepia utilis) oil processing and Tibetan Sea buckthorn or ‘dalechuk’ (Hippophae tibetana) processing. Participants created basic business plans for these sub-sectors, laying the foundation for future enterprise development.

Bioengineering: Theory and practice

On 25 and 26 April, the focus was on bioengineering. These sessions covered the scope and functionalities of bioengineering. Participants were introduced to small-scale civil engineering structures, vegetative engineering methods and the selection of suitable plant species for bioengineering projects.

The theoretical groundwork paved the way for the practical sessions that followed, where participants witnessed bioengineering techniques firsthand. A visit to a site in Raralihi village allowed the participants to observe techniques – wooden crib walls, wattling, brush layering and check dams – used to stabilize slopes on local farmland. 

In Raralihi, a gully has developed into a seasonal river that flows from downstream during the rainy season, affecting the agricultural lands of the local communities. Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD), a Nepal-based NGO, is supporting the community of Raralihi in implementing these bioengineering techniques to prevent erosion of agricultural land.

In another community, Triveni, participants engaged in a hands-on session on the construction of bioengineering structures. Under expert guidance, they practiced dry-stone walling, building palisades and crib walls, and wattling. These practices can easily be implemented with local resources available in the area.

Collaborative efforts and future initiatives

On 26 April, there was a co-creation workshop in Tatopani, Jumla, which marked the culmination of the training program. It brought together a diverse array of stakeholders – including local government officials, MHP representatives, community forest user group members members and community members. Through discussions and dialogue, the participants identified key areas for future collaboration – enhancing marketing strategies and market linkages for ‘dhatelo’ products. They also expressed strong commitment towards implementing bioengineering techniques, particularly at the Girikhola MHP.

With continued support and collaboration, the seeds planted during these four days of training will help set up robust enterprises and strengthen sustainable bioengineering practices.

A preliminary version of this story was originally published in: https://www.wisions.net/building-sustainable-futures-bioengineering-and-enterprise-development-trainings-in-tatopani/

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RECOFTC’s work is made possible with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Government of Sweden.