58 people planted 500 cedar saplings in Taksera to celebrate the world day to combat desertification and drought (17 June). They celebrated in style – they were singing and dancing while planting since the event coincided with the local Bhume Purba festival (of the Kham Magar community). The tree planting was organised in Putha Uttarganga, Rukum East in partnership between UMN Rukum East, local partner MIC-Nepal and the Division Forest Office (DFO) with their staff joining local youth and adults in the planting.

It’s not just in the hills – in Nawalparasi West in the Terai, UMN is combating drought by introducing a drought resistant variety of maize in an area with low rainfall, high temperatures and lack of irrigation facilities. The Arun-2 variety was planted for demonstration in Gangapur and Baidauli of Pratappur, to demonstrate using system of maize intensification techniques such as planting in lines, spacing, fertiliser application, disease and pest management and seed saving. Sown on 16 February, it was harvested on 1 June yielding 1 quintal per kattha (3 tonne /ha) for 107 group members of the ReLive project. We trust this will encourage more people to cultivate maize successfully in the area.