The Gokyo lake series in Nepal, is situated at an altitude of 4710-4950m and is one of the main wetland sites in the Sagarmatha National Park on the way to the base camp of Mount Everest. Partially fed by the largest glacier, Ngozumpa, Gokyo series has six main lakes. It is a source of the permanent fresh water and lies on the head of the Dudh Koshi River which descends from the world’s seventh highest mountain – Cho Oyo creating a unique and representative wetland in the world’s highest freshwater lake system. The Gokyo wetland series is naturally vulnerable as it is lying in an ecologically fragile and unstable zone. The outburst of the Ngozumpa glacier is always a threat to the existence of the lakes and dangers to the communities and visitors due to a potential flash flood event cannot be denied.

Under the CCIFEH project , the Regional Programme through its Freshwater Unit has initiated a three-year project on the Gokyo lake of Everest region. This project assesses the vulnerability of the Gokyo lake series considering climate change as a cause, which impacts freshwater and in turn the livelihoods of millions of people living downstream. It further aspires to prepare a community based adaptation strategy for these vulnerable communities. WWF Nepal started its activities in November 2006 by appointing a field staff member working under the Project Manager of Sagarmatha National Parks and Buffer Zone Support Program (SNPBZSP), a project implemented by WWF Nepal jointly with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. Since then the staff member is actively mobilizing the community to help them understand the relevance and importance of this project. Following this, a major grant has been given to the field office for conducting various activities including awareness programs. Field level consultations are also underway for vulnerability assessment and preparation of community - based adaptation strategies.