This publication reflects the findings and learning from a programme of participatory action research (PAR) carried out between 2010 and 2012 in two geographically and climatically different mountain watersheds in the districts of Mustang and Jumla in Nepal. The study was conducted under the High Mountain Agribusiness and Livelihood Improvement (HIMALI) investment project, which is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and implemented by Nepal’s Ministry of Agriculture Development (MOAD). The PAR component was implemented by ICIMOD through local partner organizations: Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD) in Pangling watershed of Kagbeni VDC (village development committee) in Mustang, and the District Development Committee-Local Development Fund (DDC-LDF) in Lorpa watershed of Dillichour VDC in Jumla. The HIMALI PAR project aimed to identify climate change adaptation priorities and provide input to the design of effective local watershed management plans to ensure the sustainability of agribusiness for the local communities. The learning from the project is intended to support the development of climate change adaptation strategies for
sustainable, socially equitable, and gender-responsive livelihood development that can be replicated and included in the HIMALI investment project and other similar initiatives.