Akasha Environment
“Protecting the resources of life” is one of the main goals of Akasha Academy. Preserving nature is an essential part of our education programs and we also arrange projects regularly to fight deforestation.
Akasha headquarters in Suntakhan serves as an example of sustainable land planning, architecture and agriculture, where these practises are practically taught and applied.
Reforestation
In Nepal, as in other places around the world, forests are shrinking, which is one of the main drivers of global warming. Plantation schemes are implemented at Akasha Academy grounds but also promoted within the wider community as a means to counteract climate change.
Plantation of bamboo, trees and shrubs prevents soil erosion, stabilizes hillside areas, protects biodiversity and helps to keep the water in the ground, which cools the temperature.
In 2022, around 600 bamboo saplings were planted at Akasha Academy grounds in cooperation with Green Bamboo Creation. In 2023, a reforestation and conservation project started in order to restore public land.
Organic Farming
We cultivate food and herbs following organic farming and permaculture principles to keep the soil healthy and to grow chemical-free food.
Organic vegetables and fruits sustain the students, visitors and residents at the Suntakhan headquarters and the herbal garden serves as a natural apothecary for common ailments and diseases.
These principles are practically shown to local families and small-holder farmers through workshops and trainings to improve the health of people and the agro-ecosystems in the area.
Sustainable Infrastructure
Akasha Academy Headquarters shows a positive alternative approach to building and construction to serve as an example of sustainable architecture in the region and beyond.
Together with partners, sustainable infrastructure projects are developed and carried out, involving the local community through actively hiring local workers in the construction process and providing on-the-job trainings as well as workshops about sustainable building.
The aim is to run the activities at the Akasha Academy headquarters as self-sustaining as possible, meaning to produce and use energy on the ground as well as to use and treat water from the local source and recycle the waste being produced on site.
A Circular Approach
Sustainable solutions will play a vital role for the development of the Headquarters, i.e.
A stable power supply by means of local solar-energy solutions for the production and storage of energy
Water supply from a local source and through decentralized rainwater harvesting components
Converting residuals into energy through a local biogas-system and composting methods
Recycling and re-using water through plant-based greywater recycling and wastewater treatment
Following organic farming and permaculture principles to keep the soil healthy and grow chemical-free food
Awareness
Everything we do shall serve as a positive example for the local population and beyond. Therefore, we regularly conduct workshops, trainings and seminars about environmental protection, sustainable land use. Furthermore, we engage the community in clean-up campaigns, plantation activities and through awareness campaigns.
We work with the local government, public schools, women’s groups and small-holder farmers to contribute to a positive development towards healthy people and ecosystems in the area.
