Mountain ecosystems and economies share an intricate balance of space for opportunities. Whereas livelihood is a critical area of concern for the development needs of the regions in question, ensuring the balance with the environment is equally critical to their sustainability. Spiti has been the nurturing ground for various initiatives of Muse, Spiti Seabuckthorn Society and Spiti Trans-Himalayan Action Group who have been working in the Spiti valley for over 10 years on a wide array of development and conservation issues. These organisations have come together under a common platform, Ecosphere, to ensure that each ones strengths can be directed towards the realisation of the common goal of sustainable development for the entire region. Some of the projects that these organisations have been involved in are focussed on:

• Livelihood generation from local surpluses such as Seabuckthorn & Eco-Tourism and linking them to nature and culture conservation.
• Promotion of Green Houses as a means of providing fresh vegetables to the local populace through out the year, besides providing an additional income source.
• Providing energy efficient housing solutions through the development of Solar Passive Houses which in turn contribute to mitigating global warming
• Revival and promotion of local Handicrafts aiding in their conservation as well assisting the local women with an additional income source.
• The Dhankhar Initiative – Restoration of the Dhankhar Monastery structure, frescos and thankas.

All the above projects aim at establishing the triple bottom line linkage of livelihoods, conservation and development.