Mustang: The NEFIN Climate Change Partnership Program carried out research titled “Promoting Indigenous Peoples’ Customary Rights in the Trans Himalayan Rain Shadow of Lomanthang” at Lomanthang Rural Municipality of Mustang District. Lomanthang village is located at 3850 meters above sea level and the municipality borders autonomous Tibet (China). The study was supported by the Australian Embassy in Nepal. On October 10, 2023, the NEFIN Climate Change Partnership Program team conducted a debrief event on the study findings among the Lowa Indigenous People in the study area. Astonishingly, it remained a great privilege and coincident to have the Australian Ambassador Her Excellency Felicity Volk, Mr. Krishna Bahadhur Karki and the director of WWF Nepal, Dr. Ghana Shyam Gurung with total 37 participants during the program.

The research findings briefing and dissemination were handled on the spur of the moment in two distinct languages by Mr. Tunga Bhadra Rai, Director of the NEFIN Climate Change Partnership Program. Meanwhile, Ms. Felicity Volk and the Lowa Indigenous People had a thought-provoking and enlightening sharing session, particularly in regard to climate change and its impact among the Lowa Indigenous People. It is worth noting that every participant actively shared their thoughts and experiences with the ambassador, and representatives of various mothers’ groups and youth club shared their struggles and requests for support.

Towards the conclusion, Ms. Felicity Volk conveyed her gratitude and congrats to the NEFIN Climate Change Partnership Program team for the well-executed research and the fascinating research results. She also expressed her eagerness of exploring possibilities to collaborate with Indigenous Peoples and support Lowa Indigenous People.