One Day, One Tree

Introduction

The alpine ecosystems over 4,000 meters in Sagarmatha National Park are vital for fuelwood, grazing, water, medicinal plants, and tourism, but they have suffered substantial degradation as a result of overgrazing, fuelwood harvesting, tourism, and climate change. In response, the people of Pangboche and The Partners Nepal, in partnership with the Khumbila Buffer Zone Users Group, launched the One Day One Tree project in 2016, which was supported by Sagarmatha National Park and international partners.

Since then, nurseries in Pangboche and Khumjung have grown thousands of juniper, fir, birch, and rhododendron seedlings, with community people, schools, and monks actively involved. Pangboche, Phortse, and Khunde have protective enclosures to keep plants secure. By 2025, over 30,000 trees will have been planted, restoring biodiversity, stabilising slopes, and enhancing climate resilience, establishing Khumbu as a model for alpine forest restoration.

Impacts

Rt. Hon Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, visits TPN’s ONE DAY ONE TREE project site for 2023 environmental preservation. The One Day One Tree project
contributed to the conservation and restoration of endangered alpine ecosystems above 3900m, which had been overlooked by the worldwide conservation community in the upper Khumbu and other Himalayan regions, resulting in this replanting initiative. Planting trees in damaged areas not only aids in the conservation and restoration of delicate alpine ecosystems, but it also provides economic incentives for residents to go trekking and mountaineering during the off season. This focused replanting above 3,900 meters not only restores threatened habitats, but it also improves local livelihoods and climate resilience in the Upper Khumbu region.