One Day, One Tree

Serve The Mountain Communities

The alpine ecosystems over 4,000 meters in Sagarmatha National Park are vital for fuelwood, grazing, water, medicinal plants, and tourism, but they have suffered substantial degradation as a result of overgrazing, fuelwood harvesting, tourism, and climate change. In response, the people of Pangboche and The Partners Nepal, in partnership with the Khumbila Buffer Zone Users Group, launched the One Day One Tree project in 2016, which was supported by Sagarmatha National Park and international partners.

Since then, nurseries in Pangboche and Khumjung have grown thousands of juniper, fir, birch, and rhododendron seedlings, with community people, schools, and monks actively involved. Pangboche, Phortse, and Khunde have protective enclosures to keep plants secure. By 2025, over 30,000 trees will have been planted, restoring biodiversity, stabilising slopes, and enhancing climate resilience, establishing Khumbu as a model for alpine forest restoration.

Impacts

Rt. Hon Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, visits TPN’s ONE DAY ONE TREE project site for 2023 environmental preservation. The One Day One Tree project contributed to the conservation and restoration of endangered alpine ecosystems above 3900m, which had been overlooked by the world wide conservation community in the upper Khumbu and other Himalayan regions, resulting in this replanting initiative.

“Planting trees in damaged areas not only aids in the conservation and restoration of delicate alpine ecosystems, but it also provides economic incentives for residents to go trekking and mountaineering during the off season. This focused replanting above 3,900 meters not only restores threatened habitats, but it also improves local livelihoods and climate resilience in the Upper Khumbu region” (Rt. Hon Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, 2023).

"The Partners Nepal has taken the lead in conserving and restoring the park's ecosystems for the benefit of future generations.”

Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Rt. Hon Helen Clark visits
TPN’s ONE DAY ONE TREE project site 2023

Support Received for One Day One Tree (2016–2023)

Since its inception in 2016, One Day One Tree has benefited from generous support from national and international friends, institutions, and community partners mobilized through The Partners Nepal’s innovative, community-based approach. Beyond our core donors, many individuals contributed by purchasing One Day One Tree caps and T-shirts and by pledging continued support for alpine ecosystem restoration.

Over the years, participation from conservation-minded supporters—both local and international— has steadily increased, strengthening collective action for fragile mountain landscapes. This growing commitment has translated into tangible results: planted trees are now well established, with an impressive 95% survival rate, demonstrating the effectiveness of community stewardship and sustainable restoration practices.