Drivers and Barriers to the Use of Nature-Based Construction Materials in the Hindu Kush Himalaya Region

This report provides a regional snapshot of the current state of nature-based construction across the HKH. It draws on scoping review, a regional online survey of 102 stakeholders, and direct interviews with practitioners working across eight countries. The aim is to identify patterns, constraints, and emerging opportunities that can inform future policy, investment, and research.

The analysis shows that nature-based materials remain widely used in rural and low-income contexts and continue to play a vital role in heritage conservation and post-disaster reconstruction. In several HKH countries, these systems have demonstrated resilience in the face of earthquakes, floods, and extreme climatic conditions. However, their use in mainstream housing and infrastructure remains limited.

The report concludes that nature-based construction remains a viable but underutilised component in the current construction practices across the HKH’s built environment. Advancing its role will require targeted measures to strengthen supply chains, build technical and institutional capacity, improve market confidence, and enable regional learning and capacity sharing. The recommendations that follow outline practical steps to address these challenges and support a more resilient, locally grounded construction sector in the region.