Dhulikhel: The Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, under the PODONG Indigenous Peoples Initiative supported by IUCN, organized a three-day national-level training workshop on “Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, Gender Equality, and Biodiversity Conservation” from July 25 to 27, 2025, in Dhulikhel, Kavrepalanchok.

The main goal of the workshop was to help revitalize the fading customs and cultures of Indigenous nationalities while also promoting sustainable natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation.

The workshop brought together a diverse group of participants, including youth, women, traditional leaders, village representatives, ward chairpersons and members, municipal executive members, and representatives from different Indigenous peoples like Kulung Rai, Sherpa, Tamang, Majhi, and Tharu, representing the districts of Bardiya, Solukhumbu, and Sindhupalchok, areas where the PODONG Initiative is currently being implemented.

The workshop featured discussions on climate change action, adaptation and mitigation strategies, global and national biodiversity frameworks, and the integration of traditional knowledge with science. Participants also explored the impacts of national parks, conservation areas, buffer zones, hydropower projects, and other development initiatives on Indigenous youth and women, along with potential solutions.

The workshop also featured interactive group activities that highlighted Indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage. Participants created social and cultural maps of their villages, showcasing local traditions, biodiversity, and community structures. They brainstormed and documented the names and traditional uses of locally found plants, medicinal herbs, birds, and animals. In addition, they showcased Indigenous skills and knowledge through handmade products, and celebrated their connection to nature through group songs and dances inspired by the environment and biodiversity.

Key achievements of the program included the documentation of diverse Indigenous festivals, traditional materials used in life-cycle rituals from birth to death, and the rich body of traditional knowledge and skills. The program also helped participants recognize the importance of local biodiversity and its conservation, while providing orientation for upcoming skill-based training opportunities.

Knowledge and skills of Indigenous Peoples are vital for addressing climate change and conserving biodiversity. This workshop served as an important step toward empowering Indigenous Peoples and promoting sustainable biodiversity management.