Abstract
Presented is a novel approach to addressing food insecurity within a remote indigenous community situated in the high Himalaya of Nepal. The village faces challenges in accessing fresh, affordable produce, particularly during harsh winter seasons. This threatens the community's food sovereignty and adversely affects the stability of the Sir Edmund Hillary School, a site of historical and cultural importance. Through the integration of indigenous knowledge and technological advancements, this APP details a strategy to augment local agriculture, drawing on applied anthropological methodologies. The genesis of this project stems from the creative leadership of the school principal and his vision for a greenhouse capable of year-round cultivation to enhance the nutritional well-being of students, staff, and the local community. Central to the proposed solution is the installation of a 42-foot solar geodesic growingdome, supported by feasibility studies and the endorsement of the principal, school board, and community elders. Methodologically, the research utilizes an analysis of Shar-wa (Sherpa) culture, ethnographic immersion in the upper Khumbu Valley, and an examination of technologies related to high-altitude, deep-winter farming. Findings establish the growingdome’s potential to mitigate the community's food security challenges, a sentiment echoed by the stakeholders. This APP also delves into fundraising strategies, potential support alliances, and ethno-sensitive policies to mitigate unintended consequences. In addition to serving as a business plan for the project, this APP aims to stimulate related research and development. Beyond its immediate local impact, this initiative carries broader implications for sustainable, eco-sensitive agriculture in remote communities across the Himalaya and analogous regions globally.
Advisor
Kathryn "Jay" Elliott
Committee Member
Ronald Schirmer
Committee Member
Shane Bowyer
Date of Degree
2024
Language
english
Document Type
APP
Degree
Master of Science (MS)
Program of Study
Applied Anthropology
Department
Geography and Anthropology
College
Humanities and Social Sciences
Recommended Citation
Lesley, G. M. (2024). A growing dome in the clouds of Everest: An applied anthropology project in the High Himalaya [Master’s alternative plan paper, Minnesota State University, Mankato]. Cornerstone: A Collection of Scholarly and Creative Works for Minnesota State University, Mankato. https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/etds/1441/
