From the Forward:
"The present paper has been prepared jointly by ICIMOD and the Government of Nepal to serve as a rationale and framework for the Mountain Initiative. It describes the context in which the Initiative is being set, elaborates the specific vulnerability contexts and situation of mountain people and their social-ecological systems, highlights the importance of mountain ecosystem goods and services for mountain people as well as downstream communities, and also explores the opportunities that are created by climate change. In order to achieve the goal of sustainable mountain development, the paper calls for all to develop a common vision and strong voice to advocate the case for mountain people and ecosystems."
International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Government of Nepal