For Environment, Democracy and Livelihoods
Australian Himalayan Foundation (AHF) partnered with ForestAction Nepal in implementing the Australian awards fellowship on strengthening capacity to respond to climate-induced forest fires in Nepal, funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The month-long (2 Oct 2025 to 2 Nov 2025) fellowship enabled participants from Nepal, including ForestAction Nepal researchers, Madan Bashyal and Aayush Gautam, to engage in technical workshops, field visits, and expert exchanges in Australia, gaining insights into scientific fire management, early warning systems, community-based preparedness, and integrated fire management. The collaboration strengthened institutional linkages between Australian and Nepalese governmental, non-governmental and civil organisations and generated practical knowledge that can be adapted to Nepal’s context to enhance forest fire preparedness, climate resilience, and sustainable forest management.