Our Collaborators
2023
Rewilding Swayambhu
Restoring Nature’s Balance: Rewilding Swayambhu with a Fruit Forest
In the heart of Kathmandu, amidst the ancient Swayambhu Stupa, a unique initiative is underway to restore the natural balance of the local ecosystem. The “Rewilding Swayambhu” project, a collaborative effort between the Revolution Project, Division Forest Office Kathmandu,JGI Nepal & WINN Nepal aims to address the pressing issue of food scarcity for the resident monkey population
The Challenge
The forests surrounding Swayambhu are predominantly composed of non-native pine trees, which do not provide sufficient sustenance for the monkeys. As a result, these primates have been forced to venture into nearby residential areas in search of food, causing conflicts with local communities.
The Solution
A Fruit Forest for Furry Friends To tackle this challenge, the Revolution Project has embarked on an innovative endeavor – the creation of a fruit forest. Utilizing the Miyawaki technique, a pioneering method developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, the team has planted 600 saplings of native fruit-bearing trees within the Swayambhu premises.
The Miyawaki approach ensures rapid growth and dense vegetation, making it an ideal choice for this project. Once the fruit forest matures, it will serve as a sustainable food source for the monkeys, eliminating the need for them to forage in human settlements.
Community Collaboration and Constant Monitoring Recognizing the importance of community involvement, the Revolution Project collaborated closely with local committees in Swayambhu to plan and execute the plantation. Additionally, the team has taken necessary precautions, such as caging the plantation area, to protect the saplings from potential interference by the monkeys themselves.
Moving forward, the Revolution Project will actively monitor the growth of the saplings, providing nourishment and care as needed, to ensure the successful establishment of the fruit forest.
This innovative initiative not only addresses the immediate concern of food scarcity for the monkeys but also contributes to the larger goal of preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable coexistence between urban communities and their natural surroundings.
