UIAA 1982 declaration brings researchers back to Kathmandu to understand mountain ecosystem
Summary
Researchers from Switzerland and Nepal are revisiting the 1982 UIAA Kathmandu Declaration to examine how mountain protection, local culture and sustainability relate to today’s Himalayan challenges. The project includes interviews, field visits in Kathmandu, Pokhara and the Everest region, and a forthcoming documentary titled Back to Kathmandu.
Key Points
- A nine-member Swiss-Nepali research team led by Prof. Claude Hauser is studying the 1982 UIAA Kathmandu Declaration and its relevance to today’s mountain ecosystem.
- The team held discussions and field visits in Kathmandu, Pokhara and the Mt Everest region, and plans to develop a documentary and travelling installation called Back to Kathmandu.
- The declaration emphasized protection of mountain environments, respect for mountain culture and the proper use of technology and waste disposal in mountain areas.
- Nepal Mountaineering Association president Phur Gelje Sherpa said the project could help address climate change, expedition safety, training and sustainability in the Himalayas.
