Indigenous People, Alpine Human Ecology, and Change in the Pamir (Afghanistan and Tajikistan)
The purpose of this applied research project is to assess the resilience capacity and develop relevant adaptation strategies resulting from bio-cultural changes in the Pamir Mountains of Badakhshan, Afghanistan and Tajikistan. This three year project, supported by the Christensen Fund, arises out of a planning visit carried out in 2006. Findings included concern for food sovereignty, evidence of bio-cultural impact of climate change, increasing gender burden of women, debilitating opium addiction, significant human ecological role of sacred sites, and other priorities and concerns of villagers related to sustainable livelihoods.