To learn more about BCD(biocultural diversity) issues, journalists and students attended an international meeting of indigenous mountain peoples in Kyrgyzstan in July 2018.
The International Network of Mountain Indigenous Peoples (INMIP) was created in 2014 in Bhutan.
The meeting in Kyrgyzstan included a "walking workshop," a forum, and discussions. The "walking workshop" allowed the exchange of knowledge and experience between participants from 10 countries. The main theme of the workshop was "Biocultural Heritage for Sustainable Mountain Communities". Participants from Bhutan, China, India, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, representatives of international organizations and donors, local partner organizations, journalists and farmers participated in this workshop. They visited various places in Kyrgyzstan, including nut forests in Jalalabad oblast, organic communities (aimaks) in Talas oblast and mountain pastures in Chui oblast.
Partner organizations, including Lexig-South, Sustainable Development Strategy Institute, Rural Development Fund and ADI, demonstrated the results of their work with local communities to protect BCD. It was a very useful opportunity for journalists and students to see and learn new aspects of BCD and to talk and interview people working in the field. They also took part in the "Biocultural Festival" organized in Arstanbap village, where all participants prepared their traditional dishes, played musical instruments, danced and sang traditional songs.