A story of hope: The Himalayan community who saved their own future

The Himalayas always remind me of the Rumi saying, ‘A mountain keeps its echo, deep inside.’ Seeing this mountain range is always an inspiration. The colors of the spring, the chirps of the birds, the children playing around, the women working along the farms, and the wildlife breathing the clean air. 

In this majestic landscape lies a small cluster of villages in Rathiyar, where the Himalayan Restoration Project has been taking place, to conserve the animals, plants, communities, and the landscape. In these villages, climate justice is becoming the new normal.

The story dates 12 years back when botanist Vishal Ahuja, a local from Chamba, pledged to save the forests in his land. Vishal Ahuja is now the coordinator for the Himalayan Langur Project, he has given his life to save his home, his Himalaya. The journey so far has been a roller coaster, finally bringing us to present-day Chamba, where people want to bring a change for the next generation. 

Vishal interacts with women in the region and explains the climate crisis. Photo: Arpan Joshi

Vishal, along with Dr. Sanjay Molur, the Project Lead of the Himalayan Langur Project (HLP), began their journey to conserve the Chamba Sacred Langur in Himalaya in 2012. Though ecologists by profession, their approach to restoration and conservation has always been holistic, seeking to benefit people, animals, climate, and the landscape. 

The Himalayan Restoration Project (HRP), coordinated by myself, Trisa Bhattacharjee, runs on similar principles. We are a collective of conservationists who work with communities to save their livelihoods and those of future generations along with safeguarding the future of their landscape. 

Sanjay Molur and Trisa Bhattacharjee at the community-led nursery. Photo: P Kritika

The HRP is a very unique project in its own way and has earned its success through the joint efforts of members of the team and community members. The project is not only our dream but the dream of the people living in the valley. Since March 2024, the community and students have played an integral role in making the project a success. 

The HRP & HLP team interacts with the communities on restoration. Photo: Sanjay Molur

There are many characters in our story. Sunil Kumar, the pradhan – the traditional name for village leaders – convinced people across 28 villages to be part of the project and partner with us in restoration. Pooja, a member of a local women’s self-help group, gave us her land for pilot restoration. She convinced other women to do the same by explaining the important role the trees play in fighting the climate crisis. Shakti & Shanti, HRP local ambassadors, became part of the project and also shared portions of their land for restoration and community nursery development. 

Pooja educates school students about the importance of restoration. Photo: Sanjay Molur

The project officially began on 21 March 2024, with HRP members working with Rathiyar Varisht Secondary School students to plant native trees and educate kids about the importance of conserving nature. The beauty of this exercise was that it sparked long-term change. Those students have since planted 500 saplings and now continue to take responsibility for the trees. 

School students plant trees with the HRP team. Photo: P Kritika

We reached out to six villages with over 50 women organized in self-help groups and educated them on the importance of restoration. Today, these women have helped us plant over 1000 saplings on their land, and they are now the main stewards of these plants. These local women are taking care of the trees’ development and survival, and as such, becoming central restoration actors in their own right. 

HRP member, Amrin Ansari interacts with the women in Chamba. Photo: Sanjay Molur

Is the Himalayan Langur and Himalayan Restoration Project a success? Well, our achievements speak for themselves. 12 years! 28 villages! Over 2000 individuals, 500+ students, and 100 women involved! 

Working with these local communities brings hope to people who are often pessimistic when it comes to thinking about a healthy future for themselves and the land.
If you are seeking to support the restoration and conservation of key ecosystems, we invite you to partner with our project and collaborate with us to restore more than 800 hectares of farmable lands. e. Your support can make a world of difference for these people and their landscape. You can find out more about our journey and join us in your efforts here!