Mukkumlung, a remote and mountainous region in the Taplejung District of eastern Nepal, is a hidden gem endowed with rich biodiversity, pristine forests and vibrant indigenous cultures. Nestled within the foothills of the Kanchanjunga Conservation Area, it serves as both a cultural and ecological treasure trove. 
However, like many fragile Himalayan ecosystems, Mukkumlung is currently facing a series of environmental challenges that threaten its ecological integrity and the livelihoods of its people. Mukkumlung is not only a center of civilization but also a spiritual landscape. The people have worshiped nature for generations, making it a sacred foundation of their cultural identity.

This commentary explores the growing religious conflicts in Mukkumlung and their implications for environmental protection. It argues that religious disharmony, if left unaddressed, could erode traditional ecological knowledge, weaken community-based conservation and disrupt the fragile environmental balance of this Himalayan region. The commentary also examines contemporary environmental issues and suggests practical measures to protect and preserve the environment of Mukkumlung.

Environmental degradation in Mukkumlung is compounded by a lack of institutional support. While Nepal’s Constitution, under Article 30, guarantees every citizen the right to live in a clean and healthy environment, implementation in remote regions like Mukkumlung remains weak. The local government lacks both the technical expertise and financial resources needed to effectively implement environmental protection programs.
Moreover, there is a gap in environmental education and awareness among the local population. Although traditional knowledge of sustainable living exists, it is being overshadowed by the lure of modernization, without a corresponding understanding of its environmental consequences.

For generations, the people of Mukkumlung have lived in harmony with nature, guided by customary laws, rituals, and beliefs that prioritize ecological balance. Forests are considered sacred, rivers and community-based resource management is deeply rooted in daily life. The “Samiti” system, for instance-where local elders and community leaders collectively manage forest usage and water resources has long served as an informal yet effective model of environmental governance.

The reliance on agroforestry, terrace farming and indigenous seed preservation methods has not only ensured food security but also minimized ecological degradation. Traditional homes, constructed from locally sourced stone and wood, reflect a minimal carbon footprint. The use of herbal medicine and local healing practices further demonstrates the people's deep ecological understanding.

With Nepal's increasing push toward federal decentralization and rural infrastructure development, Mukkumlung is now witnessing the introduction of roads, hydropower projects, and concrete-based construction. While such developments aim to reduce isolation, promote connectivity and improve access to healthcare, education, and markets, they also bring unintended consequences. Modern construction methods are replacing traditional homes, altering the landscape both aesthetically and structurally. These new structures often disregard the local climate and seismic risks, making them less resilient in the long term.

The local government should invest in documenting and revitalizing traditional ecological knowledge while promoting community-based eco-tourism, organic farming and sustainable building techniques. A participatory development model must be adopted, in which local voices especially those of women, indigenous elders and youth are central to planning processes. 

Environmental impact assessments must be made mandatory for all infrastructure projects, with transparency and community consent as essential preconditions. Solar energy, micro-hydropower and rainwater harvesting systems can replace polluting or unsustainable energy and water practices. 

Furthermore, the introduction of climate-resilient infrastructure that harmonizes with the local environment should be prioritized over standardized “modern” designs that ignore ecological specificities.

There is also a pressing need for community-led environmental governance to protect and preserve biodiversity and ecological systems. The sustainable future of Mukkumlung cannot be achieved through top-down policies alone. Local participation, traditional knowledge, proper budget allocation and indigenous stewardship must be at the heart of any effective environmental conservation effort.

Mukkumlung is home to generations of people who have practiced sustainable resource use through customary laws and communal forest management systems. Revitalizing these traditions, while also integrating modern ecological science, could lead to more resilient and adaptive governance models. Youth groups, women’s co-operatives and local schools have already initiated small-scale clean-up drives and conservation campaigns. However, these efforts require more structured support in the form of training, funding and policy recognition.
The role of local government is pivotal in enabling this transformation-by enacting local environmental bylaws, ensuring accountability and fostering partnerships with universities and external agencies.

There is a long-standing relationship between ecological disruption and social unrest. In Mukkumlung, where religious identity is closely tied to land and nature, the degradation of forests, water sources and mountains is not just an environmental crisis-it is a spiritual and cultural rupture. Protecting the environment, therefore, becomes a moral imperative that transcends religious divisions.

Moreover, the Constitution of Nepal (2015) guarantees both religious freedom and environmental protection as fundamental rights. This dual commitment must be reflected in policy implementation at the local level. Municipal governance, backed by provincial and federal support, should adopt an integrated framework that addresses religious grievances through ecological stewardship.

The spiritual traditions of Mukkumlung are not inherently at odds with one another. Most of them teach respect for nature, reverence for ancestors, and community harmony. It is the erosion of traditional ecological knowledge-combined with external influences and unregulated development that is aggravating religious divides.

In conclusion, protecting Mukkumlung’s environment requires a multifaceted approach-one that respects ecological limits, ensures sustainable development and empowers communities. Environmental conservation should not be viewed as a barrier to development, but rather as the very foundation upon which a just, sustainable and prosperous future for Mukkumlung must be built.
The Constitution of Nepal already enshrines the right to religion and the duty to protect the environment; it is imperative that these rights are balanced to promote social harmony and ecological resilience. By protecting the natural environment, we are in essence, protecting the spiritual landscapes of all faiths.