SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability is key to all of our work. We believe that in order to effect real change over time consideration should be given at every turn to the long term impact of projects.
There is no point in cleaning the river if people will easily throw new rubbish into it, there’s little value in giving a child an education for just one year.
Development is about identifying priorities then implementing plans that remove the issues in such a way as to create a better future…in the long-run. Here’s some of the ways we ensure sustainability:
- Our solutions are culturally appropriate ensuring that solutions are not imposed on a society not willing or able to work with them
- Community involvement is at the heart of our work – both in consultation and implementation.
Our projects are mindful to develop people involved to have the skills and just as importantly, the values, to protect their environment and communities - Our projects are environmentally friendly maximizing potential and minimizing damage
- Waste materials removed are wherever possible sent down one of three routes to avoid dumping. For all these options we work with community partners
- Recycled and used for community arts
- Recycled and used for community produced products – e.g. beds and pipes
- General recycling
- We have a continual program of research to ensure that our projects are well informed and up to date. This serves to justify and verify the need for the work we do
- We also know the value of monitoring and evaluating our work to prove its value, ensure it is meeting aims, learn important lessons and so we can celebrate our successes – internally and with our supporters
- We take case studies of our projects, ensuring that we discuss with the people involved to see what they think
Partner Sustainability
We are supported by Langtang Ri Trekking & Expedition Pvt. Ltd., a company with a strong focus on sustainable tourism who’s practices include;
- Brining fuel from outside areas so as not to deplete local wood supplies
- Visiting teahouses which burn recycled briquettes or yak dung
- Removal of rubbish/garbage from all camping and trekking activities
- Preservation of all natural and cultural environments including national parks