From Daringbadi to Nepal: A Journey of Climate, Livelihoods, and Hope
By Astina Raika, Gram Vikas

Daringbadi is often called the “Kashmir of Odisha.” Located nearly 3,000 feet above sea level in the Kandhamal district, this hill station is known for its cool climate, lush valleys, pine forests, coffee plantations, and waterfalls. Misty mornings, chilly nights, and a serene environment make it a charming retreat that thrives like the Himalayan terrain.

But Daringbadi is not just about its beauty. It is home to farmers who cultivate rice, turmeric, maize, and ginger. Small-scale coffee plantations supplement incomes, while forest resources provide food and livelihood resources. However, climate change is slowly disrupting this delicate balance. Rainfall has become unpredictable, crop cycles uncertain, and families often face difficult choices and migrate to distant states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu for daily wage work.

I grew up witnessing this reality of people living in harmony with nature yet constantly navigating its uncertainties. So, when the opportunity arose for my first international learning visit to Nepal under the Climate Change Local Adaptation Pathways (CLAPs) project early this year, my heart brimmed with excitement, nerves, and curiosity. This visit aimed to understand how mountain communities in Nepal are adapting to climate change, managing natural resources, and sustaining their livelihoods.

Questions swirled in my mind:

“What is the climate like there? How do people earn a living? How do they adapt to climate change? Will I relate to this place as I do with my own region? Even simple things, will their food feel familiar?”

When my journey unfolded step by step: Daringbadi-Berhampur-Bhubaneswar-Delhi -Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kagbeni (Annapurna Conservation Area Project). I realised I wasn’t just about stepping out of my country, but stepping out of my comfort zone, carrying the stories of my land, and observing how similar struggles and hopes play out elsewhere.

This journey reshaped my mindset and understanding of social leadership. I was fortunate to travel with my colleagues Joel and Jobin, whose care and companionship made every moment comfortable and memorable.

Nepal: Exploring Himalayan Villages

Our field visit took us to several high-altitude villages in Kagbeni, Tangbe, and Mustang, where we observed livelihoods, environmental challenges, and community practices.

In Kagbeni, barley, buckwheat, and maize are key crops, but limited irrigation and irregular rainfall pose challenges. Households also rear livestock and depend on forest resources. Villagers told us that young men migrate to cities or other countries for work while women and elders manage farms, supported by remittances. Village councils oversee community work and water distribution. Farming is mostly cooperative and women play central roles in household and livestock management.                                            

In Tangbe, barley, wheat and potatoes are the main crops. The village depends on terraced fields, and maintaining these terraces is labour-intensive, especially in a region where rainfall is limited. Many young men migrate to Pokhara and Kathmandu in search of work, and women shoulder most of the responsibilities at home. The villagers collectively manage terrace upkeep and irrigation channels, and women play a central role in both farming and community life.

Further into the Mustang region, the villages face an even harsher climate; cold, dry and with limited opportunities for cultivation. Farming here is mostly restricted to barley and potatoes, supported by small livestock and modest tourism. International migration is common, with many young people leaving for India, Thailand, the Gulf countries, and even Europe and the United States. Despite these challenges, Mustang’s communities operate through strong village assemblies and women’s groups that guide decisions on water management, farming practices, and conservation efforts.

Lessons I Carried Home

This journey revealed how closely the realities of Daringbadi mirror those of the villages in Nepal. In Daringbadi, I grew up in a mountain ecosystem where livelihoods depend heavily on agriculture and  forests, much like the communities we visited in   Nepal. Both regions are now grappling with irregular rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and growing climate instability, all of which make farming increasingly uncertain. As a result, migration has become a common coping strategy in both places: families in Daringbadi move to other Indian states for work, while Nepali youth often migrate to cities or other countries. Seeing these parallels helped me understand that the challenges faced by mountain communities are shared across borders, shaped by similar vulnerabilities and deep resilience.

Climate and Environment: Mountain ecosystems, whether in the Himalayas or the Eastern Ghats, are both fragile and vital. I saw how glaciers are melting rapidly, causing landslides and water scarcity, while in Daringbadi, rainfall variability and droughts threaten farming. In both regions, communities depend on springs and small water sources, yet face increasing uncertainty. 

Livelihoods: Communities rely on rain-dependent crops, livestock, and tourism. Water scarcity and limited arable land are significant challenges. Collective water management and conservation practices are common.

Migration: Similar to Daringbadi, young people migrate for work while women maintain farms and households. This affects family structures and social relationships. While people in Daringbadi migrate within India, it was interesting to see international migration being a common trend in the Nepal villages that we visited. There is a social network created between people which helps people to safely migrate for work. 

Community Practices: Traditional committees and women’s organizations lead collective decision-making, managing water distribution, crop planning, and problem-solving. These mirror the systems we see in Daringbadi like Van Suraksha Samiti (Forest Protection Committee) Farmer Producer Groups (FPGs), and Village Development Committees (VDC), Self Help Groups (SHGs), religious committees, youth collectives, where collective action is emphasised.

This visit gave me clear lessons I want to take back to Daringbadi; strengthening our village committees, improving water conservation, building awareness on climate resilience, and creating more space for women and youth to lead. 

The communities in Mustang inspired me deeply. Observing livelihoods in harmony with the environment, alongside cooperation and shared responsibility, has given me a new perspective on what resilient, participatory, and environmentally sensitive development can look like at home.

“In the stillness of the mountains, people move with dreams.
Scarce water, harsh lands—but unity and hope endure.

Children walk miles for school; elders hold the community strong.
Migration is painful, but the dream of return remains bright”

-Astina Raika

A Bridge of Courage and Hope

As we travelled back from Mustang, we stopped at the Gandaki Golden Suspension Bridge, Asia’s longest and the world’s third-longest suspension footbridge. Behind me rose the mighty mountains, beneath me flowed the fierce Gandaki River, and around me rushed the whispering wind. It wasn’t just a view, it was a feeling, a test, and a triumph.

Standing there, I realised life itself is like a suspension bridge: every step forward demands courage, trust, and hope. Navigating the uncertainties of climate and livelihood in our own communities requires resilience, solidarity, and faith. The lessons from Nepal are not distant; they are deeply relevant to the hills of Daringbadi, reminding me that shared challenges can inspire shared solutions. 

The Gandaki Golden Bridge may be third in the world, but in my heart, it will always remain first. 

With editorial support from Sofia Juliet Rajan, and translation support from Alex Sam Thomas and Lata Biswal.