Date of Workshop: September 5 - 7, 2017

Workshop Coordinator: Birendra Kumar Karna

Panauti Bazar, located in Nepal’s Kavrepalanchowk District, is a traditional agrarian society 35 kilometers southeast of Kathmandu. Home to approximately 20,000 residents across four separate localities, Panauti is dominated by Brahmin, Chhetri, and Nawar castes, with both Buddhist and Hindu communities. The surrounding subtropical forests, including pine and broadleaf varieties, play a vital role in local livelihoods, particularly in agriculture and animal husbandry, with high dependency on forest resources. The town is also renowned for its religious monuments and historical significance, which contribute to a smaller but growing tourism sector.

Panauti has seen rapid population growth following immigration caused by the 2015 earthquake, adding to the pressure on its natural resources and community infrastructure. Among these changes, local community forests, such as Jyalachiti, are essential to the town's environmental and economic sustainability.

In September 2017, a Youth Visioning Workshop was held in Panauti Bazar. The event gathered young people from the town to reflect on their connection to the forest, future aspirations, and the importance of conservation. Youth emphasized the natural beauty of the region, listing it as one of the top reasons for valuing the forests. Discussions centered on sustainable livelihoods tied to agriculture, animal husbandry, and tourism, with many participants recognizing the need for preserving their environmental heritage as the town continues to grow.

Participants noted that "In villages, women are stigmatized and criticized on what and how they dress up. But in cities nobody cares whatever clothes you put on and what kind of fashion you do." 

As part of the workshop, participants were encouraged to explore ways to balance development with conservation, ensuring future generations maintain a strong relationship with both their cultural and natural surroundings. There was the understanding that, “Forest(s) are important, because we can earn money by selling our carbon."