For Environment, Democracy and Livelihoods
A four days leadership training for restoration champions was successfully organised at Gabhar Valley Homestay, Banke from 24 th -27 th December 2025. The training was attended by 24 participants from ten districts of Lumbini and Karnali Provinces. Participants were leaders and members of community working on forest management and agriculture. This training conceptualised needs, process and outputs of restoration. It highlighted and focused on various conventional and emerging challenges on restoration. Participants discussed about participatory and inclusive restoration and learnt how traditional management approaches including, farm-forest interfaces support in restoration. While learning and sharing various aspects of restoration, participants also got the opportunity to experience culture of indigenous Tharu community.
Implemented under the ‘Reducing Environmental Degradation in Asia and Africa (REDAA)’ project, funded by the UK International Development and managed by IIED, the training was conducted in a natural environment using interactive and various participatory methods such as voting, quizzes, games, jungle walks, matching activities, debate and group work. Activities were designed to foster mutual learning among participants, between project team and the participants. Participants highly appreciated this experimental approach. The event also provided trainers an opportunity to learn from diverse experiences and local practiced shared during formal and informal sessions.
