Pokhara. Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) organized a three-day training workshop titled ‘Rights-based Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity Conservation’ in Pokhara, Nepal, from June 3 to 5, 2025. A total of 60 participants comprising 31 men and 29 women attended the event. They were representatives of Indigenous Peoples of SAINO initiative areas in Lamjung, Mustang, and Kaski districts. Community radio journalists who have been developing and broadcasting ‘SAINO’ radio programs from community radios also attended the training workshop. The main objective of the event was to engage in an in-depth discussion about the rights and relationship of Indigenous Peoples with natural resources and thereby to strengthen awareness of Indigenous Peoples about those matters including on climate change and biodiversity. The workshop part of the event had aimed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experiences of Indigenous Peoples through the dialogue and interactions during the event. During the event, the organizer facilitated several sessions, including the following.

• Brief introduction of SAINO Initiative
• Climate change, its causes and impacts at local and global context
• Overview of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)
• Climate change adaptation, mitigation and significance of the lifeways and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples
• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of Nepal
• Indigenous Peoples’ perspective on Nepal’s NDC
• Inter-relationship between biological diversity and Indigenous Peoples; challenges and opportunities
• Inter-generational transfer of Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge systems and worldviews
• Role of Indigenous women and Indigenous youth in continuation of Indigenous Peoples distinct lifeways and knowledge systems
• Customary governance and institutions
• SAINO radio program and social media
• Issues of Indigenous Peoples in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)/National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan(NBSAP)
• Grievance mechanisms

PowerPoint presentations, lectures, video screenings, group discussions, panel discussions with representatives (of women, youth, and customary leaders), group work, Q&A sessions, and presentations of cultural songs and dances, among other interactive methods, were applied during the workshop. The video screening and cultural presentation between the sessions made it easier for participants to grasp the subject matter.

The three-day training workshop provided ample opportunity for participants to engage in in-depth discussions and gain clarity about the subject matter listed above. They received updates about climate change and biodiversity negotiation and actions both national and international levels. Conversation and exchange of the event encouraged participants to assert their rights in every aspect of climate action and biodiversity.  One of the points clearly came out during the event was that Indigenous Peoples must be recognized as right holders not as mere stakeholders, in all climate action and biodiversity conservation. Moreover, the workshop was successful in bringing youth, elders, women and customary leaders of Indigenous Peoples to learn together and strengthen their connection. Participants shared that intergenerational transfer of knowledge, skills, language, and culture is becoming a huge challenge in Indigenous Peoples communities. In such situation, the effort like SAINO Initiative can play vital role in bridging intergenerational gap and instilling a sense of responsibility in everyone.

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