5 startups and initiatives for the protection of the mountains, chosen for the international day of 11 December

Tourism, food, design and local economy:here are 5 startups and initiatives for the protection of the mountains, its culture and its biodiversity.

• December 11th is International Mountain Day established by the United Nations.
• We have chosen five startups and initiatives that, in various ways, deal with mountain protection.
• These five companies are Vaia, The Himalayan Chocolates, Adopt a Cow, Friland and My Pahadi Dukan.

The mountain is in danger:it snows less and less, winters are getting shorter and shorter and the biodiversity is threatened by the effects of climate changes.December 11th is International Mountain Day, was established by the UN in 2003, but it has its roots in 1992, when chapter 13 of Agenda 21 entitled Management of fragile ecosystems:sustainable mountain development.Thirty years ago, however, the hype about the mountain was not so high and few people took the environmental threat seriously.Today, fortunately, our conscience as ungrateful guests is a little more formed and, probably also following the pandemic and the long periods of forced confinement, we have rediscovered the beauty of going to the mountains.Here December 11th takes on a more massive meaning:represents a date on which to celebrate the immense fortune we enjoy in being able to attend it, but also to reflect and make concrete commitments for mountain protection because, if already in 1992 it was a fragile ecosystem, today it must be protected at all costs.

Because mountain protection is a priority

If we look at Italy, beyond the tragic collapse of the Marmolada this summer, also the state of health of the Mont Blanc and of Matterhorn it's not exactly thriving.In both the permafrost, i.e. the perpetually frozen substrate, is starting to melt and decrease in size.

If we then broaden our gaze to the rest of the world, we discover that the situation is no better:almost all glaciers are at risk.This summer we talked about move the base camp further downEverest (the tent camp from which the ascents to the highest peak in the world start).The glacier on which it rests, the Khumbu, is in fact retreating at a speed greater than the physiological one.Everest's fame in this sense is also its downfall:now we're talking about mass tourism here too, at 5,400 meters above sea level where the base camp is located.It is estimated that approximately 1,000 people are abandoned on Everest every year six kilometers of fixed ropes, which are set by the Sherpas at the beginning of the season and then used to climb by all those who want to reach the top, at 8,849 meters above sea level.When winter arrives and the expeditions cease, the ropes are now so embedded in the ice that it becomes impossible to remove them, and so they remain there.

Mass tourism is plasticizing the highest and most beautiful mountains in the world, while on the Alps the record temperatures of recent years are massacring the glaciers.But there are also those who, in their own small way, face these problems and get to work to protect the mountains.

5 startups and initiatives for mountain protection

• Go
• The Himalayan Chocolates
• Adopt a cow
• Friland
• My Pahadi Dukan

Go

One of the most catastrophic events that has devastated the Dolomites in recent times was the terrible Vaia storm, which hit the Triveneto in October 2018 with very violent rains and hurricane-force winds and which left 42 million trees on the ground in its passage.A huge waste of resources as well as great environmental damage:here it is startups Go, in the full spirit of the circular economy, thought of using those logs to produce something.Since the trees were broken irregularly, it was practically impossible to think of making large objects or constructions with that wood, so here's the idea:of natural amplifiers.This is how crates were born Vaia Cube, smartphone amplifiers handcrafted exclusively with larch and fir wood.The sound that is reproduced is therefore warm and enveloping and no other materials are used other than those already fallen during the storm.

The Himalayan Chocolates

The Himalayan chocolate, in addition to being delicious, it is also a great source of livelihood for local communities and, in particular, for the women of the villages of Kullo-Manali, whose expertise in cooking is very high.In fact, they are the backbone of The Himalayan Chocolates:the fondant bars that this startup markets are made by hand for much of the process, which involves molding, infusion and packaging.The pandemic in this area has disrupted several livelihoods and The Himalayan Chocolates' mission is to economically empower rural populations and, at the same time, pass on traditional knowledge of local products.

Adopt a cow

High mountain activities can also be supported remotely, for example by adopting a cow and thus contributing to its maintenance and management:it is a way to encourage the local economy and zero kilometer production.This is the idea they had the Valsugana-Lagorai tourism company (Trentino) and the cultural association Adopt a cow:contribute 65 euros for adoption and receive in exchange dairy products made with his milk.In 17 editions, 12,500 animals have already been adopted, which has made it possible not only to give a boost to the economy of Valsugana, but also to support other territorial and charity projects.In fact it works like this:50 euros for each adoption are allocated to the mountain hut, for the summer maintenance of the cow at altitude, and will then be "returned" in the form of dairy products, while the other 15 will go partly to the management of the project and partly to other charity projects active in the area.

Friland

Friland is a startup that aims to change the concept of tourism by offering slow experiences in contact with nature, through a symbiotic and sustainable experience.Friland offers accommodation in off-grid mini houses (i.e. self-sufficient) of 12 square meters which are temporarily positioned in Italian locations chosen for their beauty and their ability to disconnect guests from reality.

The small nomadic and self-sufficient refuges of Friland represent the opportunity to experience slow tourism, which comes into contact with nature while having a minimal impact on the environment.The houses are not connected to the water and sewerage network, electricity is mainly produced by solar panels while the water system is based on a system of internal cisterns.Friland is part of LifeGate Way, the group's subsidiary which aims to create an ecosystem of naturally sustainable startups.

My Pahadi Dukan

Protection of the mountains also means support for economic self-sufficiency and the quality of life of those who live there.The digital marketplace My Pahadi Dukan contributes to this objective by gathering the best of Himalayan production:products mainly from the food sector or related to the care and well-being of the body, but also clothing and small crafts that can be discovered beyond the Indian borders.

The economy of the Himalayan mountain communities can be supported through the responsible purchase of products made with full respect for the environment and the territory which, at the same time, allow us to discover something more about this millenary culture.The products on sale on My Pahadi Dukan they are all artisanal and their origin is certified and ethical.From dried fruit, to products for the face and body, through honey and spices, up to actual clothing lines:Himalayan culture has so much to offer.