The Hyolmo Indigenous Community has honored the LAHURNIP for its outstanding and long-standing legal advocacy in defense of Indigenous Peoples’ rights in Nepal.
The recognition was conveyed through a Letter of Honor following LAHURNIP’s receipt of the International Business and Human Rights Award 2025 at the 14th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Geneva. The community highlighted LAHURNIP’s role in defending lands and natural resources during the Melamchi Water Supply Project and its leadership in securing Supreme Court recognition of the Hyolmo Peoples' Indigenous identity.
The Letter of Honor was presented on 30 December 2025 to Advocate Shankar Limbu, Vice Chairperson of LAHURNIP, by Nima Gyaljen Hyolmo, Chairperson of Helambu Rural Municipality, during a program organized with the Hyolmo Women’s Organization and Hyolmo Media Group focused on customary self-governance and forest rights. Chairperson Nima Gyaljen Hyolmo said:
“We are committed to enacting laws that recognize Indigenous self-governance and their customary rights over land and forests. We request LAHURNIP’s technical support and urge communities to actively participate in this process to protect their heritage for future generations.”
The Hyolmo community reaffirmed its commitment to continued collaboration with LAHURNIP to advance Indigenous rights, customary governance, and collective rights.
