To safeguard the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve – an area that is roughly the size of Taiwan – this grassroots initiative employs locally-nominated volunteers known as pendebas from each of the 406 villages within the protected area to promote environmental conservation, improve family health, advance options for income generation, and organize collective action for common goods. Together, the pendebas’ initiative has helped decrease child mortality by 50 percent, reduce deforestation by 80 percent, and protect threatened species of endangered wildlife, including populations of the snow leopard, Tibetan wild ass, and Tibetan antelope.

Pendebas have mobilized their villages to improve water and sanitation services, protect wetlands and water sources, establish hundreds of tree nurseries and reforestation campaigns, spread the use of solar energy, and prevent the killing of endangered animals. Activities are carried out with a strong sense of partnership within the communities and with local governments. At the roof of the world, with six of the planet’s highest peaks, the initiative is helping to safeguard a climate change hotspot, a wetland ecosystem, and the health and wellbeing of local communities.