Northern Mountain Conservation...
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Northern Mountain Conservation Programme A R E T R O S P E C T I V E 1996-2008
Transcript of Northern Mountain Conservation...
Northern MountainConservation ProgrammeA R E T R O S P E C T I V E
1996-2008
Northern MountainConservation Programme
1996-2008
A Retrospective
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Dedication
This Retrospective Report is dedicatedto our esteemed leaders, friends andcolleagues who gave their lives on 23September 2006 for their belief in the positive conservation of Nepal.
We acknowledge all 24 souls that lost their lives that day and it is withspecial affection that Ms Yeshi Lama will be remembered by the people ofDolpa for her smiling face, understanding manner and untiring work forthe Northern Mountain Conservation Programme.
ForewordThe Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, in collaboration with WWF
Nepal, has been involved in the conservation of natural communities of flora and fauna,
such as medicinal plants and the endangered snow leopard, in Shey Phoksumdo National
Park since 1996 through its implementation of the Northern Mountain Conservation
Programme (NMCP).
The Department is dedicated to the conservation of a network of 16 Protected Areas -
national parks, wildlife reserves, conservation areas, a hunting reserve, and buffer zones
that cover more than 19% of the total land mass of the country. We are also dedicated
to the protection of all natural communities of flora and fauna including many rare,
threatened, endangered and endemic species \ in our Himalayan country.
We acknowledge the work that WWF is doing to help us conserve our nature and build
the capacity of local people to work towards the sustainability of their own
neighbourhood landscapes. In particular, here we acknowledge WWF Nepal's work in
Dolpa and Mugu, particularly the Shey Phoksundo National Park area and look forward
to working with WWF Nepal in the years to come.
Shyam Bajimaya
Director General
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation
PrefaceShey Phoksumdo National Park (SPNP) and buffer zone represent a unique trans-Himalayan landscape and ecosystem
that harbours a rich diversity of medicinal and aromatic plants and wildlife including one of natures most beautiful
creatures - the snow leopard. But with beauty comes challenge and I am proud to say that WWF Nepal took up this
challenge in 1996 along with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC).
In the years since the programme was first launched many achievements have been made in SPNP and its buffer
zone. In addition, many changes have taken place in the country, not least political changes and the loss of the
countries top conservationists and friends in 2006. Since the launch of the NMCP, we also experienced an armed-
conflict, which at times affected our activities. In more recent times we have also seen the emergence of a "New
Nepal" which we hope will bring peace and prosperity to the country, while enabling its citizens to preserve its
wonderful and unique biodiversity and species for our future posterity.
I personally have been involved in the NMCP since its conception and inception. At that time I clearly remember that
people were suspicious of outsiders and no one would voice their opinions, certainly not women. It took four or five
years of our and our partner organisations' presence in Dolpa before communities and individuals were empowered
to voice their concerns over their own rights and needs. Today the local people who survive on trans-Himalayan
trade, pastoral activities and subsistence agriculture amidst a harsh climate and geography, have become true
stewards of the biodiversity of area. To me this is the biggest achievement we have made - enabling local communities
in this remote and rugged pristine wilderness to come forward and be counted.
I take this opportunity to acknowledge the support of our donors, particularly USAID; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Finland; the WWF Network (WWF-UK, WWF-Finland, WWF-US, WWF-Germany), Kadoorie Agriculture Aid Agency,
SNV Nepal, Mr S Rankin, and CARE Nepal. I would also like to thank our partners, the Department of National Parks
and Wildlife Conservation as well as our implementing partners and project staff, current and former; consultants;
experts; friends, and well wishers for their continued support over the years. I make special reference to the project
staff for their perseverance, dedication and hard work, ensuring the programme's success in making a difference in
the conservation of biodiversity, even during the trying time of the armed conflict.
Anil Manandhar
Country Representative
WWF Nepal
Purpose of this ReportWWF Nepal works in one of the earth's most diverse landscapes, ranging from almost sea
level to the highest point in the world. The variety of plant and wild life is staggering. As the
years go by the challenges to preserve nature become almost as high as Mount Everest
itself. Global warming, climate change and ever increasing anthropogenic interference have
put untold pressure on our planet. While working within WWF's global strategy, we at WWF
Nepal are fighting to build the capacity of every man, woman and child to preserve the
riches they very often don't realise they are holding in their hands. One way we are doing
this is by improving their livelihood and organisational capacities so that conservation of,
for example, the endangered snow leopard, does not seem outwith their grasp. We are also
supporting the government to realise the targets of its plans and strategies in biodiversity
conservation. In addition, we are working at landscape level on our Global 200 Ecoregions,
bringing governments together to help ensure the sustainability of the Himalayan Region.
This retrospective report brings you highlights of the Northern Mountain Conservation
Programme, a programme that has spanned more than a decade of the most challenging of
times in Nepal. While this report is not exhaustive, we hope it will give you a good idea of
what has been achieved in the Shey Phoksundo National Park and buffer zone area of Dolpa
and Mugu Districts.
This publication shares our lessons learned and gives some thoughts on the way forward
and we hope you will take the time to read, internalise and, should you like, give us feedback
on our past programme and future dreams.
December 2008
Table of
About WWFAbout Our PartnersAbbreviations and Acronyms
1. Situational Analysis 1
2. Conservation in the Trans-Himalaya Mountains 32.1 Depletion of Natural Resources 32.2 Conflict between Humans and Wildlife 32.3 Traditional Versus the Modern 3
3. Our Working Area 53.1 Dolpa District 53.2 Mugu District 63.3 Shey Phoksundo National Park and Buffer Zone 63.4 Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve 7
4. Programme Overview 94.1 Northern Mountain Conservation Programme (NMCP) 1996-2007 94.2 Objectives 104.3 Programme Components 11
5. Impacts 135.1 Forest Conservation 135.2 Species Conservation 145.3 Sustainable Development 145.4 Communication and Education 155.5 Policy and Advocacy 16
6. Programme Details 176.1 Objective 176.2 Programme Activities 17
6.2.1 Forest Conservation 176.2.2 Species Conservation 186.2.3 Sustainable Development 226.2.4 Conservation Education, Capacity Building
and Communication 246.2.5 Policy and Advocacy 26
Content
7. Challenges and Lessons Learned 297.1 Forest Conservation 297.2 Species Conservation 297.3 Sustainable Development 307.4 Good Governance in Natural Resources Management 317.5 Impact of Conflict on Programme Implementation 32
8. The Way Forward 338.1 Landscape Level Approach for Snow Leopard Conservation 338.2 Safeguarding Indigenous Knowledge 338.3 Linking Conservation with Religion 348.4 Integrating Population, Health and Environment in
Conservation Practices 348.5 NTFP 358.6 Alternative Energy 358.7 Tourism 358.8 Climate Change 368.9 Strengthen Trans-boundary Cooperation at the Local Level 368.10 Linkages 368.11 Policy and Best Practices 36
9. Donors 37
10. Finance 39
11. NMCP and WWF's Guiding Principles 41
Special Initiatives PPI SAGUN
List of Tables
Table 1 Landuse Types in SPNPTable 2 District IndicatorsTable 3 List of VDCs and Beneficiaries
About WWFIn almost five decades, theWorld Wildlife Fund hasbecome one of the world'slargest and most respectedindependent conservationorganisations.
With almost five million supporters distributed throughout five continents, WWF has offices inover 90 countries and can safely claim to have played a major role in the evolution of theinternational conservation movement. Infact, since 1985, WWF has invested over US$1 billion inmore than 12,000 projects.
WWF Nepal
WWF has been working in Nepal since the 1960s when it focussed on species conservation and research with strictlaw enforcement practices. WWF Nepal office was established in 1993. Today WWF Nepal integrates conservationwith community development in an attempt to address issues of livelihoods of the people living near protectedareas with the aim of involving them and enabling them to take a long term responsibility for conservation. Ourfocus is now on taking a landscape approach by building partnerships with donors, stakeholders, interestedgroups and local people.
At present, WWF Nepal's major projects link WWF's global priority to the conservation needs of Nepal. With the aimof strengthening cooperation with neighbouring countries and adopting a regional approach in biodiversityconservation to save the region's rich and varied biodiversity, we have already joined hands with the Governmentof Nepal and initiated coordination and cooperation with India, Bhutan and the Tibet Autonomous Region, sharinginformation on wildlife poaching and illegal trade in wildlife products in the trans-border areas.
WWF's Mission StatementWWF's Mission StatementWWF's Mission StatementWWF's Mission StatementWWF's Mission StatementTo stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a• Conserving the world's biological diversity;• Ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and• Promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
About Our PartnersWorking with us on the SAGUN Programme is CARE Nepal, a US based NGO who began working in Nepal in 1978.Today, CARE Nepal operates in 42 districts, with major focus on mid and far western regions, through 20 communitydevelopment programmes which are wide ranging and promote equitable and sustainable livelihood by addressingthe causes, rather than symptoms of poverty and social injustice. CARE Nepal works through both formal andinformal partnership at multiple levels: with local NGOs; government agencies; communities; civil society groups;federations; networks, and the private sector. Partnership with local institutions is an important means of increasingthe reach and sustainability of CARE programmes, while increasing the institutional capacity of partners. CARE'scollaboration with the Nepal Government ensures that it's programmes complement national plans and policies.
NGO Partners
DESERT (Dolpo Education, Social, Environment and Research Team) is a local NGO working in the field ofeducation and conservation running a Junior Ranger Programme in the schools of Dolpa and Mugu. DESERT worksin partnership with the DDC and Government offices based in Dolpa.
DADTAG (Development Association of Dolpo Tourism and Generation) is a local NGO working for communitydevelopment and tourism promotion.
Himali Jadibuti Sarokar Samaj is a Dolpa based local NGO, working for the promotion and advocacy of policyissues in relation to NTFPs and MAPs.
BDS-MAPS is a joint undertaking of IDE Nepal, Winrock International, ANASB, Lotus Opportunities and WWF Nepal,working in six districts. It has been in Dolpa for four years working on the promotion, cultivation and marketlinkages of NTFPs, as well as capacity building of NTFPs traders etc.
Sarbangin Bikas Sewa Samaj is a Dolpa based local NGO working in community development, infrastructure,poverty elevation and human rights.
FECOFUN Dolpa Chapter, a branch of a national level NGO, works in development of community forest, with acommon forum of 62 FUGs in Dolpa, 18 BZFUGs in SPNP BZ. The Dolpa Chapter has worked with NMCP in forestmanagement and capacity enhancement. Its national chapter works for good governance and advocacy in naturalresource management.
HJSS (Himali Jadibuti Saroka Samaj) is a Dolpa based local NGO.
KIRDARC (Karnali Integrated Development and Research Centre) is a Karnali based local NGO works in all fivedistricts of the Karnali Region especially in education, both formal and informal, capacity building, basic infrastructuresupport, human rights, advocacy and empowerment of marginalized community.
Himalayan Amchi Association is a national level NGO, working with WWF in the promotion of the Amchi traditionin Dolpa, cultivation and awareness of NTFPs/MAPs in mountain areas, development of an Amchi curriculum,advocacy for Amchi recognition etc.
Government Line Agencies (GLAs)• Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC)• Shey Phoksundo National Park• District Development Committee, Dolpa• District Forest Office• District Health Office• District Women Development Office• District Agriculture Office
Abbreviations and Acronyms
ANASB Asia Network of Sustainable Agriculture and Bio-resourcesAPU Anti Poaching UnitBDS-MAPS Business Development Services, Marketing and Production ServicesBZ Buffer ZoneBZFUG Buffer Zone Forest User GroupBZMC Buffer Zone Management CommitteeBZUC Buffer Zone User's CommitteeCBAPOU Community Based Anti Poaching Operation UnitCBO Community-Based OrganisationDAD-TAG Development Associations of Dolpo Tourism and GenerationsDDC District Development CommitteeDESERT Dolpo Educational Social and Environmental Reservation TeamDFO District Forest Office/rDNPWC Department of National Parks and Wildlife ConservationDoF Department of ForestFECOFUN Federation of Community Forest Users, NepalFUG Forest Users GroupGLAs Government Line AgenciesGIS Geographic Information SystemGON Government of NepalICS Improved Cook StoveIDE International Development EnterprisesI/NGO International/ Non-Governmental OrganisationISLT International Snow Leopard TrustIUCN The World Conservation UnionMAP Medicinal and Aromatic PlantsNGO Non Governmental OrganisationNMCP Northern Mountain Conservation ProgrammeNPWC National Parks and Wildlife ConservationNTFP Non-Timber Forest ProductsPPI People and Plant InitiativePHPA Public Hearing, Public AuditingPRA Participatory Rural AppraisalPWBR Participatory Well-Being RankingSPNP Shey-Phoksundo National ParkSLCC Snow Leopard Conservation CommitteeTHCC Traditional Health Care CentreUC Users' CommitteeUG Users' GroupVDC Village Development CommitteeWHS World Heritage SiteWWF World Wide Fund for Nature
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Nepal - Overview
Nepal has long been thought of as a fabled Shangrilawhere gods and men live together in harmony; bothattracted to the beauty of the high mountains andthe abundance of natural resources. In more recenttimes, however, men have some how moved out ofharmony with the rhythm of nature and it can beimagined that the gods are in despair as they witnessthe destruction of their handiwork. With highmountains to the north, middle hills and lowland Teraito the south and flowing rivers, snow mountains anda rich variety of plant and wildlife, in recent decadesthis underdeveloped country has experienced apopulation boom which is, literally, eating into itsunique biodiversity.
Flora and FaunaBecause of the country's diverse topography rangingfrom almost sea level to 8,848m, there are over 6,500known species of trees, shrubs and wild flowers.Fauna flourishes with a diversity of over 800 speciesof birds, being 10% of the world's species, and ahost of mammals ranging from the magnificent Royal
Situational Analysis1
Bengal Tiger in the southern lowlands to the beautifuland rare snow leopard in the high mountains.
While the ever increasing human population meanstraditional forest and grazing areas are being clearedfor agricultural land, it is also true that traditional,culture based systems of managing naturalresources in the high mountains opens up thepossibility to conserve flora and fauna.
PeopleThe people of Nepal are as diverse as its landscape.Within the Himalayan zone the people are Mongoloidof Tibetan descent and are known in Nepali as Bhotiyaor Bhote. With few exceptions, these people areBuddhist and have a similar culture to Tibetans.Indeed, people from Tibet have been trading andsettling in Nepal for thousands of years.
In the western midlands the area is dominated byKhas, an Indo-Aryan people whose language evolvedinto present day Nepali. During the 12th centuryBahun and Chhetris joined the Khas in these areasand the fluidity of that time allowed ambitious families
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to adopt higher castes, for example powerful Chhetrisfrom among the Khas and Magar castes becameThakuris. Today, the Hindu, Bahun and Chhetris havespread throughout the country, and remain the mostnumerous.
The Terai, or flat lowland area, was virtuallyuninhabited until the 1950s due to its dense forest
lands which gave rise to diseases such as malaria.Tharus, the largest ethnic group in the Terai, areanimist with no clear origin, one theory being thatthey originated from India during the time of theMogul wars. Today the Terai is home to manymigrants from the midhills, attracted by the wideexpanses of, potentially agriculture, land. Tensionsregarding ownership rights continue to this day.
LivelihoodsThe majority of Nepalis still live off the land, owningor working on family run substance farms. In themountains arable land is at a premium with manyhouseholds only being able to produce sufficient foodfor five months in a year. In areas such as Dolpa,trading with Tibet and other areas in Nepal andpastoral activities have been the traditional means oflivelihood. In more recent times, however, Tibet hasaccess to goods from China, reducing their need forproducts from Dolpa. Other income opportunitiesare rare in mountain areas, and may include gatheringof local NTFP (non-timber forest products) such asmedicinal plants, and migration for work elsewhere.
Innocent faces in Saldang School
Source: World Development Indicators database, September 2008
Nepal FactsData Profile
World viewPopulation, total (millions)Population growth (annual %)Surface area (sq. km) (thousands)GNI per capita, PPP (current international $)PeopleFertility rate, total (births per woman)Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19)Contraceptive prevalence (% of women ages 15-49)Births attended by skilled health staff (% of total)Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1,000)Malnutrition prevalence, weight for age(% of children under 5)Primary completion rate, total (% of relevant age group)Ratio of girls to boys in primary and secondary education (%)EnvironmentForest area (sq. km) (thousands)Agricultural land (% of land area)Annual freshwater withdrawals, total (% of internal resources)Improved water source (% of population with access)Improved sanitation facilities, urban (% of urban population with access)Energy use (kg of oil equivalent per capita)Electric power consumption (kWh per capita)EconomyGDP (current US$) (billions)GDP growth (annual %)Inflation, GDP deflator (annual %)Agriculture, value added (% of GDP)Industry, value added (% of GDP)
2007
28.111.7
147.21,040
..
..
..
..
..
..
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10.212.58.63417
2006
27.642.0
147.21,010
3.1116481959
397693
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..89
45....
8.942.86.73517
2005
27.092.0
147.2960
3.1118
..
..63
..7590
36.429.5
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..33870
8.183.16.53618
2000
24.422.3
147.2810
4.0124371286
..6677
39.029.3
..83
4233458
5.496.24.54122
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3Conservation in theTrans-Himalaya Mountains2
2.1 Depletion ofNatural Resources
As mentioned, farming has long been a tradition inthe lowlands and hills of Nepal, but in the highTrans-Himalaya mountains, a more nomadic traderslife was the norm. Being in a rain shadow, the landof the Trans-Himalaya, or Northern Mountains, ismostly dry and barren yet it still boasts a diversevegetation consisting of juniper, birch and willowtrees; wild roses; ferns, and rhododendrons amongothers. Over 400 species of medicinal and aromaticherbal plants are found, including the caterpillarfungus Yarsagumba. The medicinal plants are avaluable trading resource and have formed the basisof local health practices and have provided incomefor generations. Today these resources have becomeecologically vulnerable due to over harvesting,particularly by illegal traders, creating speciesimbalance and increasing the potential for soilerosion on steep hillsides.
The felling of trees for fuel causes both soil erosionand severely depletes forests. This has not goneunnoticed as household members, usually women,have to travel further and further afield to obtain thenecessary fuel wood and animal fodder. In fact, inUpper Dolpa, timber for building houses is
transported by yak for many days from the moreforested lower part of the district.
2.2 Conflict between Humans andWildlife
Over 30 species of mammals are to be found in theNorthern Mountains including predators such as snowleopards and grey wolfs. As populations grow and thehabitat of these animals and their prey is encroached,conflict between herder and predator increases. Untilrecently the only solution the herders could see was tokill the predators in order to avoid further kills or out ofanger and frustration at losing valuable livestock.
2.3 Traditional Versus the Modern
LivelihoodsIn areas where trading is the traditional livelihood andwhere a barter system is still used, as throughoutmuch of the Trans-Himalaya area, the amount of tradedone these days appears to be reducing with an
It is estimated that each of the 900 households inthe area will cut down one green tree every year toobtain "diyalo", or tapers from the core of the tree,to use for light.
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increase in industrialisation in the traditional marketareas (such as China and other parts of Nepal). Alongwith Trans-Himalayan trade, pastoral activities havelargely supported the people of the mountains.However, in recent years, patrol activities have beenjeopardized because of the degradation of pasturesand the ban imposed by the Autonomous Region ofTibet on grazing of livestock across the border fromNepal to Tibet. It is therefore necessary to find someother sustainable income. Unless that happens, anduntil households rise above subsistence level, it isvery difficult to promote conservation of valuableplants, predatory animals and fuel trees.
Tourism has been taking place in Nepal since the1960s and as tourists become more adventurousthe government has opened up more and more areas,including remote mountain areas. However, despitethe increase in the number of tourists coming toDolpa, locals are not gaining enough benefits fromthis industry due to several reasons including lackof infrastructure to attract large numbers of visitors,and lack of organised facilities such as porters andlodges. In addition, the high permit fees set by thegovernment keep the numbers of tourists relativelylow and limited to organised groups, who normallybring all their resources, including food, with them.
Decline in Traditional Knowledge andPractices Related to Natural ResourcesManagementThe unique culture of the people of Dolpo wasdeveloped as a survival strategy; lifestyle, traditionsand customary practices and livelihoods are amanifestation of the way people interact with anduse their knowledge of their immediateenvironment. However, erosion of traditional rulesand laws has created both conflict and confusion.In the distant past, the King of the area would havehad a say in the conservation of forests. Later thatresponsibility was passed to the lamas in theGompas (monasteries). Both these "caretakers"threaded into daily lives a respect for all life,including predators, and a fair system of felling treesand collecting plants as per the need of eachhousehold or community. In modern times, thecaretaker responsibility was taken by thegovernment in the form of creating conservationareas such as national parks and reserves whosejob it is to protect the biodiversity of the area.People in remote areas, having had little experienceof the central government, do not have the sameincentive to follow the government's rules andregulations, leading to greater deforestation, over-harvesting and human/ wildlife conflict.
"When the Shey Phoksundo National Park was created, the power was taken from the Gompa, yet the nationalpark rules were not enforced. The park needs to make 'policemen' who will enforce the rules relating toconservation. But for the best results, if Buddhist philosophy was introduced in schools, or a specific school ofBuddhism created, incorporating the history of Dolpa, then it would help conservation in the future. Relatingreligion to conservation is a very good idea," Rimpoche T" Rimpoche T" Rimpoche T" Rimpoche T" Rimpoche Tulko, Namgunm Monasterulko, Namgunm Monasterulko, Namgunm Monasterulko, Namgunm Monasterulko, Namgunm Monasteryyyyy, Dolpa, Dolpa, Dolpa, Dolpa, Dolpa
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5Our Working Area3
3.1 Dolpa District
This mysterious "hidden land" borders and has strongcultural ties with Tibet; indeed the original Dolpapeople came from the upper Ngari1 Region of Tibet.The name Dolpa itself comes from the Tibetan word"dol" which means overflowing. This refers to theabundance of natural and mineral resources as wellas to its rich religious significance.
Dolpa District is not only rich in biodiversity but issplendid in culture with many sacred and auspiciousplaces, surrounded in myth and a rich Buddhisttradition. Self-governing before the unification ofNepal, the people of Dolpa are still fiercelyindependent, partly because of their geographicallocation; far from the central government.Traditionally these poor herders and traders dependon the land for meadows and pastures, forests andnon-timber forest products (NTFPs). In more recentyears the pressure on the land has been growing dueto an increase demand for house timber; an increase
in the number of outsiders harvesting medicinalplants such as Yarsagumba and the closing oftraditional pastures in Tibet (caused by an end ofthe China/ Nepal agreement in the mid 1980s). Therehas also been an increase in conflict betweenpredators and livestock, leading to retaliation killingsand a reduction in the numbers of rare species suchas snow leopard. Poaching of rare species and rareplants is also a worrying trend.
Animal husbandry is traditionally very important withthe number of livestock reflecting the wealth of thefamily. At the high altitudes yaks are valuable asthey are adapted to the harsh, cold environment andyak caravans can still be seen trading across theborder to Tibet and into other Nepali mountain area,exchanging salt and medicinal plants for food grain.
Medicinal plants are economically important fortrade, as well as being used by local Amchis(traditional Tibetan doctors) to treat ailments. Thisancient art of healing is based on the herbs and
1 "Dolpo The Hidden Land", Amchi Namgyal, SNV, Kathmandu, 2005
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6natural products of Tibet and the high Himalayas.Diagnosis is by pulse and urine analysis andtreatments are based on the Amchis assessment ofthe functioning of the three humours: wind, bile andphlegm, imbalance of which brings about illness. Itcombines the teaching of Buddha with a holisticapproach to healing both the body and the spirit. Aqualified Amchi must not only have knowledge of theherbs and medicinal plants but of religiousphilosophy, astrology and traditional painting.
The majority of the population in Dolpa are Buddhistsbut it is also one of few remaining areas in the worldwhere the Bon religion is practised. Bon andBuddhism co-exist; Bon being practised widely inTibet before Buddhism took hold. In the early phase,Bon had similarities with animistic shamanist2
religious forms. In its current form the Bon religionstill places greater emphasis on spirits and deitiesthan on philosophy and retains its profound respectfor nature and emphasis on physical, natural andspiritual environments. To this day there also remainsan on-going debate as to whether the Bon religion isthe origin of Amchi medicine -Amchi Sherab TenzinLama from the Samling Bon Monastery, Dolpa refersto Amchi medicine as a Bon "hidden treasure".
Dolphu are part of SPNP and have a similar topographyto the other VDCs we are working in Dolpa.
Mugu district is sparsely populated and covers 21,351km2. Like Dolpa, many people rely on animalhusbandry and trading for their livelihoods.
3.3 Shey Phoksundo National Parkand Buffer Zone
Covering over 3,555 km2 and gazetted in 1984, this isNepal's largest national park and the only one whosemicro-climatic condition, ecology, ecosystem and floraand fauna resemble the Tibetan desert type. Withaltitudes ranging from 2,000 to 6,883 metres, the parkand its buffer zone have a sub-temperate toTrans-Himalayan climate which produces 15 foresttypes, 196 species of birds, 32 species of mammals,28 species of butterflies, six species of reptiles, andmore than 400 species of medicinal plants. The parktakes up 7.6% of the total area of Dolpa District, with30% of the total forest coverage being found here.
Shey Phoksundo National Park (SPNP) is extremelyvaluable ecologically as it provides the main habitatfor the endangered snow leopard, musk deer, wildyak, and Tibetan antelope as well as a diverse florallife. Other animals found in the park are blue sheep,the main prey of the snow leopard; goral; Himalayantahr; wolf; jackal; Himalayan black bear; jackal;Himalayan weasel; Himalayan mouse hare; musk deer,and langur and rhesus monkeys. Rich in bird life, theImphean pheasant, blood pheasant, cheer pheasant,and snow partridge are just a few of the more commonbirds to be found there.
The areas which fall directly outside national parkboundaries are just as rich in flora and fauna as theparks themselves. These areas are commonly calledbuffer zones and have their own conservation rulesand regulations.
2 http://www.tapriza.org3 It should be noted that there is considerable difference in conditions, physical and indicatory between upper and lower Dolpa which are not reflected in district wise figures and indicators.
S.N.12345
Landuse TypeForestShrublandGrasslandRocks/rockoutcropsOthersTotal
Area (ha)11,3551,468
122,260182,07238,345355,500
| Table 1 | Landuse Types in SPNP
Shey Phoksundo National Park
3.2 Mugu District
Two of the Village Development Committees (VDCs)NMCP is working in fall in Mugu District. Kimri and
Source: Nepal Human Development Report 2004 Empowerment and Poverty Reduction, UNDP(http://www.undp.org.np/publication/html/nhdr2004/annex2.pdf)
NepalKathmanduDolpa3
Mugu
Life Expectancy
60.9869.5752.5244.07
Adult Literacy
48%64%29%
28.1%
Years ofSchooling
2.754.411.591.78
CDP perCapita ($)
1,3101,8621,2791,104
HDI
0.4710.7720.3710.304
Ranking(75 Districts)
16775
| Table 2 | District Indicators
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Phoksundo Lake - Ramsar SitePhoksundo Lake - Ramsar SitePhoksundo Lake - Ramsar SitePhoksundo Lake - Ramsar SitePhoksundo Lake - Ramsar Site
On September 23, 2007 (the first anniversary ofthe demise of our leaders, friends and colleagues),Phoksundo Lake was declared a Ramsar Site. Theis proof of the lake and surrounding area's richcontribution to the biodiversity of the earth.
The Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar,Iran, in 1971, is an inter-governmental treaty whichprovides the framework for national action andinternational cooperation for the conservation andwise use of wetlands and their resources. Thereare presently 1,822 wetland sites, totalling 168million hectares, designated for inclusion in theRamsar List of Wetlands of InternationalImportance.
The fact that SPNP also encompasses one of WWFsGlobal 200 Ecoregions, namely the Western HimalayanTemperate Forest, makes this area more critical.
3.4 Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve
Covering an area of 1,325 km2 of Baglung, Myagdiand Rukum Districts, Dhorpata is Nepal's onlyhunting reserve. Declared as a protected area in1984, Dhorpatan is famous for blue sheep hunting.Ghoral, serow, Himalayan thar, barking deer, and wildboar are also hunted here.
Heavily dependent on forests for energy, fodder andtimber, the people lack awareness about sustainablenatural resource use and are dependant on ancientpatterns of subsistence which are now taking theirtoll on the ecosystem. Although little informationregarding endangered and other species exist, is clearis that competition between wild ungulates andlivestock for pastures has resulted in widespreadhabitat degradation. For example, in the summer
approximately 1,300 households use DhorpatanValley grasslands to graze their livestock.
With similar conservation needs as Shey PhoksundoNational Park, NMCP included Dhorpatan HuntingReserve in its initial activities. Unfortunately, during1998/ 99 this area became insecure due to the armedconflict and the Reserve staff were evacuated, legalhunting suspended and all MNCP activities ended.
4 Figures from WWF 1997
Phoksundo Falls
S.N.
1234567891011
VDC
PhoksundoSaldangVijerDho TarapRahaTripurakotPahadaKaigaonRimiKimri (Mugu District)Dolphu (Mugu District)
Female
251877215392339
1,054864727587450363
Male
258867214389353
1,038828694626463407
5091744429781692
2,0921,6921,4211,213
913770
94 406 84 184 44 217 123 237 194 224 137
| Table 3 | List of VDCs and Beneficiaries
Total HHsTotal
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9Programme Overview4
4.1 Northern MountainsConservation Programme (NMCP)1996 - 2007
In 1996, WWF Nepal in collaboration with theDepartment of National Parks and WildlifeConservation (DNPWC) of the Government of Nepalstarted the Northern Mountain ConservationProgramme, an Integrated Conservation andDevelopment Programme (ICDP) funded by USAID.Firstly designed to safeguard the biodiversity of thewild and remote area of Shey Phoksundo NationalPark, in keeping with the focus, growth anddevelopment of WWF's global strategies, theNorthern Mountain Conservation Programme(NMCP) matured into an inclusive programmefocussing on facilitating local management of naturalresources and improving the living conditions of localcommunities while safeguarding the regions uniquenatural heritage.
Programme HistoryTo conserve the rich biodiversity of the area and toimprove the socio-economic conditions of thecommunities living in the buffer zone, the NMCP waslaunched in 1996 by the Department of National Parksand Wildlife Conservation with technical and financialsupport from WWF Nepal and under a Grantagreement with USAID for an initial period of fiveyears (Sept '96 - Sept '01). Covering SheyPhoksumdo National Park (SPNP), which extendsover nine VDCs of Dolpa District and two VDCs ofMugu District, the NMCP working area also includedthe buffer zone and the Dopatan Hunting Reserve.
The Early Years - A BlueprintDuring the first years the programme concentratedon establishing and strengthening plantations;women's groups; eco clubs; nurseries, and touristcamp sites. With only two project staff on site, vastareas to cover; high cost and irregularity of permits
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10for foreign experts into Upper Dolpa, the earlychallenges were many. But the blueprint was set forthe following years.
From Strength to StrengthThrough its work to help the Government of Nepalconserve the biodiversity of the Himalayas, NMCPwent on to strengthen institutions; promotesustainable forest and NTFP management to meetlocal livelihood needs; raise conservation awareness;support the formulation and implementation of theSPNP BZ Management Plan, and put in place speciesspecific plans such as the Snow LeopardConservation Action Plan.
With each year, the programme was revised andreshaped based on lessons learned in the field, takingadvantage of and improving existing local strengthsas well as introducing sustainable, economic viable,culturally and socially acceptable activities.
InitiativesNMCP comprised of the People and Plant Initiative(PPI), which addressed conservation anddevelopment issues related to the use of plant
resources during the period 1997-2004, and SAGUN(Strengthened Actions for Governance in theUtilization of Natural Resources) which aimed atbuilding the capacity of local communities in naturalresources governance. SAGUN began in 2002 andis scheduled to end in June 2009. Unfortunately,due to heavy Maoist influence, all activities inDorpatan Hunting Reserve ended during the period1998-99.
4.2 Objectives
4.2.1. Overall ObjectiveFacilitate local management of natural resources andimprove living conditions while safeguarding theregion's unique natural heritage.
4.2.2. Specific ObjectivesConserve the biodiversity of SPNP by strengtheningthe capabilities of the local users groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and SPNP staffto carry out integrated development and conservationinitiatives in the protected area and buffer zonethrough:-
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NMCP PrNMCP PrNMCP PrNMCP PrNMCP Project Componentsoject Componentsoject Componentsoject Componentsoject Components
ForForForForForest Conserest Conserest Conserest Conserest ConservationvationvationvationvationSustainable forest management to improve habitat quality in forest and alpine meadows in SPNP BZ andsustain local livelihoods through community forestry, alternative energy and forest restoration, including naturalregeneration and plantation.
Institutional strengthening and coordination to strengthen the capacity of SPNP BZ and affiliated institutions foreffective management of SPNP BZ and enhance coordination among line agencies and organisations workingat all levels in the region.
Species ConservationSpecies ConservationSpecies ConservationSpecies ConservationSpecies ConservationReduce the threats to the snow leopard, prey species and habitat through scientific research and monitoring,community-based conservation, including anti-poaching, human/ wildlife conflict mitigation and conservationawareness.
Sustainable DevelopmentSustainable DevelopmentSustainable DevelopmentSustainable DevelopmentSustainable DevelopmentBringing livelihood benefits to local communities in SPNP BZ, particularly poor and marginalized households,so as to reduce pressure on natural resources for livelihoods as well as to achieve their participation inconservation.
Communication and EducationCommunication and EducationCommunication and EducationCommunication and EducationCommunication and EducationIncreasing conservation awareness among the local communities, leading to positive attitudinal and behaviouralchanges that support conservation, and to document best practices and lessons learned.
Policy and AdvocacyPolicy and AdvocacyPolicy and AdvocacyPolicy and AdvocacyPolicy and AdvocacyCreating an enabling environment that supports the linkages between sustainable livelihoods and landscapelevel conservation in the NMCP region.
• Promoting sustainable economic growth thatincreases local incomes
• Strengthening management systems of medicinalplants and primary health care to achievesustainable use of plant resources
• Improving coordination and collaboration amongvarious stakeholders for strengthened governanceof natural resources conservation in the SPNP andbuffer zone
4.3 Programme Components
The Northern Mountain Conservation Programmeactivities are categorised into five area components,all of which are interlinked and crucial to the overallobjective of the Programme. Details of the activitiesthese components are found in section 6.2"Programme Activities".
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13Impacts5
5.1 Forest Conservation
From the beginning, the NMCP has been working toincrease and conserve the forest coverage in Dolpa.Through encouraging nurseries and plantations andbuilding communities' abilities to manage andmobilize resources through Buffer Zone Forest UserGroups (BZFUGs) and Buffer Zone User Committees,NMCP has reversed the degradation of the landscape.By providing improved cooking stoves, solar lightingand micro-hydro plants, each household iscontributing to saving the local forests by simply nothaving to cut down as many trees for heat and light.Through applied ethno-botanical research andtraining to promote conservation and sustainable useof medicinal plants, NMCP has tapped into localcustoms to both conserve Non-Timber ForestProducts (NTFP) and improve medical and livelihoodfacilities.
Achievements• 4 Rangeland Committees formed• 8 forest nurseries supported• Plantation carried out in several places• 1 Buffer Zone Management Council and 17 Buffer
Zone User Committees formed in coordinationwith SPNP
• 20 BZFUGs managing 6,071 ha forest area,involving 2,064 member households
• 3 MAPs Management Committees formed andmobilized
• 75 people benefitted from observation/study toursoutside Dolpa
• 2 hydro electricity projects completed (1 microhydro project of 35 KW and 1 grid extension of50 KW, benefitting 180 and 149 householdsrespectively)
• 4 micro hydro feasibility surveys carried out inLower Dolpa
• 692 Solar Home Systems for lighting distributed,covering all households in Upper Dolpa
• 726 improved cooking stoves with 100 back boilersystems distributed
• Public auditing and public hearings carried outevery year in each of the BZFUGs and the BZMC
• 6 Good Governance Literacy Classes (GLC)conducted, benefitting 120 women
• Institutional support to BZFUGs, Eco Clubs, SisterGroups, and the Himalayan Amchi Associationwith the aim of promoting good governance.
• Capacity building for 3,939 persons on forestmanagement, wildlife conservation, skillsdevelopment for income generation, andinstitutional development.
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145.2 Species Conservation
NMCP has demonstrated that once peopleunderstand the importance of nature and therelationship between species and humans, becomeaware of the value of all gods' creatures, and arebetter able to protect their livestock from attack, theyare less likely to take retaliatory action. Throughforming Snow Leopard Conservation Committees(SLCCs) and providing livestock insurance schemesfor compensation for livestock killed or injured bysnow leopards as well as helping construct pensbetter able to keep out predators, a feeling of securityhas enabled respect for this rare animal to grow. Byhaving their awareness raised, regularly carrying outmonitoring of habitat and prey species and forminganti-poaching units, community members now viewthe conservation of snow leopards with pride. Inaddition, the teaching of the uses, cultivation andsustainable harvesting of medicinal plants to Amchis,students, and lay persons has kindled renewedinterest in protecting medicinal plants and othervaluable NTFP for future generations. Especially whenlinked with livelihoods and health care.
Achievements• 9 Snow Leopard Conservation Committees
(SLCC) formed and strengthened in both Dolpaand Mugu
• 14 local persons have been trained and arecapable of monitoring snow leopard throughusing Snow Leopard Information ManagementSystem (SLIMS)
• SLIMS guideline prepared, updated and published• Community-based mechanism and practice for
monitoring snow leopards and maintaining
records of depredation of livestock by snowleopards established through mobilizing SLCCs
• 6 Community-Based Anti-Poaching Operation(CBAPO) units formed and strengthened
• Supported Community-Based Anti-PoachingOperation units with field equipment
• Regular monitoring carried out for snow leopardprey base (blue sheep) and medicinal plants
• 5 snow leopard transect monitoring surveyscarried out
• 3 Livestock Insurance Schemes established inUpper Dolpa
• Survey conducted to identify the livestockdepredation incidents and 720 incidents recorded
• Supported field gear to park staff to strengthenthe Anti-poaching Units
• 21 studies conducted on various topics (eg birdcheck list development, water testing, smallmicro-hydro test, livestock depredation etc)
• 5 medicinal plant cultivation sites established(Rimi, Pahada, Tripurakot and Phoksundo )
• Medicinal and aromatic plants and localknowledge on its attributes and use documentedand published
• The findings of the People and Plant Initiative (PPI)activities and research disseminated throughworkshops, seminars, exchange visits, andpublications, inspiring renewed interest in theethnobotany of the country.
5.3 Sustainable Development
One of the major aims of WWF Nepal is to integrateconservation with community development in orderto involve communities living inside and aroundprotected areas to enable them to take long termresponsibility for conservation. This can only bedone through involving local people in conservation,addressing communities' livelihood issues and, atthe same time, conserving the surroundingenvironment. As women take care of the household,are involved in educating their children andoverseeing the family's overall health, it is seen asimportant to increase the capacity of women both interms of local health care and in terms ofconservation and development activities. Fifty threeSister Saving and Credit Groups were formed,allowing easy, small saving and credit facilities to bebrought to the doorstep of women in all programmeoperated villages - a total of 1,359 households. This
Teaching locals about snow leopard conservation
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15Sister GrSister GrSister GrSister GrSister Groupsoupsoupsoupsoups
Buffer Zone User Committees are formallyregistered, legal bodies that have the right to formfunctional committees as required. One the mostcommon committees or groups they help form arewomen's groups, often known as Mother Groupsor, in the case of Dolpa, Sister Groups. Thesegroups consist of interested community women whocan gain support from each other and participatein project activities such as training and non-formaleducation. One role the group often takes on isthat of savings and credit, allowing members tosave on a weekly or monthly basis and draw moneywhen required for a specific purpose, for exampleto pay a medical bill or buy a new goat.
is especially valuable as there is only one bank inDolpa which often suffers from cash shortages andhas almost no credit facilities.
Off farm activities have enabled women to participatein raising the income of their household. Providingtraining to women and other disadvantaged groupssuch as the poor, Dalits and Janajati groups hasencouraged and supported them to take up decisionmaking roles in institutions such as User Groups,Sister Groups etc as well as in conservation anddevelopment activities.
The development of a basic tourist infrastructure,such as trails, bridges and campsites, along withlodge management training has set the groundworkfor the fuller development of Dolpa as a touristdestination, which will also bring about materialbenefits to the area.
The introduction of alternative energy sources,namely solar lighting and improved cooking stoves,has not only long term potential to conserve the treesof the area but also reduces the amount of indoor airpollution traditionally caused by using pine chips forlighting and large quantities of firewood for cooking.With the reduction in this indoor air pollution, eyeand acute respiratory infections are also reduced,especially among children.
Achievements• 53 Sister Groups formed and strengthened• Nrs 3,383,560.00 saved by the Sister Groups17
groups, in 161 households, supported in agro-based income generating activity (IGA)programmes
• 422 households benefited from forest based IGAsuch as fruit tree plantations
• 105 households benefited from off-farm IGA suchas carpet weaving
• 100 households benefited from off-seasonvegetable farming
• 2 THCC supported in Dho and Phoksundocovering 380 households
• 2 hotel management trainings conducted• 10 campsites supported for tourism• An endowment fund established to support
stipends to girls• Research study carried out on Yasargumba,
seabuckthorn and jatamasi• 9 improved water mills constructed and 2
renovated
5.4 Communication and Education
Capacity building has taken many forms, fromtraining in forest conservation, anti-poaching andmarketing of NTFPs, to conservation education toeco clubs, stipends for girl students, and aiding thecapacity of park staff. As well as providingscholarships for girls and trainee Amchis, NMCP hasprovided non-formal education and producedbooklets, signboards and newsletters to educatelocals on conservation and related topics. By buildingthe capacity of the park staff, park/ communityrelationships have been improved and conflict feltbetween park and community at the time of theestablishment of the park (1998) has been, for themost part, dispelled. Networking between Eco Clubs,as well as between Amchis at district and nationallevel, has brought about a feeling within the area thatthey are not facing unique difficulties. Study toursto other districts and visits by officials to Dolpa havestrengthened these new networks. In addition, withthe production of video films such as "Amchi" and
Meeting with Sister Group in Upper Dolpa
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the commercial film "Himalaya" ("Caravan" in Nepal)and the increase in the number of tourists, theuniqueness of Dolpa is being highlighted to the world.
Achievements• Quarterly "Phoksundo" newsletters produced in
Nepali from early 2002 to mid 2007• "Amchi" video produced• Video magazine aired on Nepal Television through
an agreement with Nepal Federation ofEnvironment Journalists (NEFEJ)
• Conservation education provided throughconservation sign boards, snow leopardconservation books and audio visual shows
• Governance related materials published• 6 GLC (Good Governance Literacy Classes)
conducted benefited 120 women• 53 sisters groups formed and supported• 42 girls and boys supported for scholarships• 46 Eco Clubs establish (28 in schools, 18
community based)• Network among eco clubs established• 58 basic non-formal education (NFE) classes
conducted, where 1,146 participants benefited• 17 advanced NFE classes conducted where 216
participants benefited• 3 Amchis fully supported for services, and 4 local
Amchi students supported with scholarships
• 1 institutional support to the Himalaya AmchiAssociation (HAA) Amchi network established
• Amchi tradition and curriculum developmentthrough the HAA
• 2 herder's education and 2 snow leopardfocused NFE classes conducted in upper Dolpabenefiting, 68 persons
• 34 awareness raising programmes for 5,670persons
• Capacity building for 3,939 persons including710 in income generating activities, providingeducation for 420, community development for411 and institutional strengthening for 1,316people
• Supported local community to conduct thePhoksundo Conservation Festival
• Observation tours for policy makers carried out
5.5 Policy and Advocacy
With its diverse range of wild animals and plants,SPNP was put forward as a World Heritage Site.With the increased hostile activities during theMaoist/ government conflict in the 2000's, this wasnot followed up. Despite the conflict, however,coordination between local, district and nationallevel stakeholders did improve and observationtours for policy makers did take place. With theimplementation of the SPNP Management Plan andadvocacy campaigns at all levels by BZFUGsthrough our partner, FECOFUN, policies have beenput into place to ensure the future conservation ofthis area.
Achievements• SPNP BZ Management Plan prepared and
endorsed by the Government of Nepal• Gazetting of Buffer Zone in 1998 supported• Support to Buffer Zone User Committees and
BZFUGs operations• Local, district and national level networks in place
"Now that I have participated in a non-formal education class I realise the importance of education, even forgirls. My 14 year old daughter Samjhana is now attending school. Before she was a herder but now she looksafter books and pencils, not livestock! The class was an eye-opener for me. I had not thought about genderstereotypes and discrimination before, but now I do and I am making an effort to change things for the better,starting with the education of my daughter - better late than never!"
Mrs Jana Buda, farMrs Jana Buda, farMrs Jana Buda, farMrs Jana Buda, farMrs Jana Buda, farmer and member of Hamali Sister Grmer and member of Hamali Sister Grmer and member of Hamali Sister Grmer and member of Hamali Sister Grmer and member of Hamali Sister Group, Maddhu, Toup, Maddhu, Toup, Maddhu, Toup, Maddhu, Toup, Maddhu, Tripurakot VDCripurakot VDCripurakot VDCripurakot VDCripurakot VDC
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17Programme Details6
6.1 Objective
The primary objective is to conserve the biodiversityof SPNP by strengthening the capabilities of the localusers groups, NGOs and SPNP staff to carry outintegrated development and conservation initiativesin the protected area and buffer zone throughpromoting sustainable economic growth thatincreases local income, strengthening managementsystems of medicinal plants and primary health care,achieving sustainable use of plant resources andimproving coordination and collaboration amongstakeholders to strengthen governance of naturalresources conservation.
6.2 Programme Activities
The major project categories of forest conservationand species conservation are inter-related andinterlinked, and have the cross-cutting issues ofsustainable development, communication andeducation, and policy and advocacy, as is clear inthe following sections.
6.2.1 Forest ConservationObjective 1: Community-based natural resourcemanagement through forest user groups and bufferzone users committees
Community forestry has been at the vanguard ofcommunity-based organisation and mobilizationaround natural resources management and use.Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs) are currentlythe most widespread civil society group network,covering 1.2 million hectare5 of forests. This extensivenetwork is largely as a result of the formation of theFederation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal(FECOFUN), one of our partners in the NMCP, whohave a membership of more than 14,000 CFUGs, orover1.6 million households. In this regard, NMCP hadalso adopted the strategy of promotion of communityforestry in sustainable natural resource managementin SPNP BZ. Today, 18 BZFUGs have been providedwith capacity building and other training by NMCP,enabling them to be capable of sustainable forestmanagement and biodiversity conservation. Inaddition, BZFUGs were supported to revise ForestOperation Plans (FOPs) which aid the conservation,
5 Source: Community Forest Division, Department of Forest, 2008
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18sustainable management, registration andmonitoring of natural resources. RangelandManagement Committees were also formed tomanage rangelands and pastures.
Objective 2: Nurseries and plantations to increaseforest coverage
Restriction on access to grazing pastures in Tibetresulted in pressure on local forests in Dolpa toprovide fodder as well as being a source of cookingfuel, light, and construction materials. In order toincrease forest coverage, several steps were taken:-
"The land is too dry for good plantations and evenif it is irrigated when the plants get to a certainheight, the ground under their roots becomes toodry to support life. So we had to experiment withseveral different species and found that for UpperDolpa salix trees work best, whereas in LowerDolpa, it is pine. Thinley Lama was the first to bringsaplings to Upper Dolpa. He carried them by yak,which took 15 days. But unfortunately the first batchwere dry when he reached there, and resistancefrom the local communities was high. But hepersevered and now his neighbours realise that 10-15 years after planting, the timber that will beavailable means they won't have to travel to LowerDolpa to collect timber for houses etc. Later othersbecame involved in plantation and today you cansee patches of trees in Upper Dolpa, with the trendfor tree plantation increasing every year."MrMrMrMrMr. Dhan Rai, WWF Nepal. Dhan Rai, WWF Nepal. Dhan Rai, WWF Nepal. Dhan Rai, WWF Nepal. Dhan Rai, WWF Nepal
Nurseries and plantationsNurseries were established on community land suchas that at Ruma village, with irrigation pipes, technicalsupport, support for skilled labour and seedlingsprovided. These community nurseries also grew fruit,fodder and other tree saplings. As communities cameto realise how the replanting of forests and theplanting of fruit trees would benefit them in the longerterm, with the possibility of enabling them to restoredamaged forest areas, demand for seedlings grewconsiderable. Trials, however, showed that manyseeds of fodder tree species brought from outsideDolpa, such as Nimaro (Ficus nemoralis) and RaiKhaniyo (Ficus semicordata) were not successful, andthus nurseries concentrated on pines for timber andwalnut trees for nuts for Lower Dolpa and the timbertree, salix for the upper regions. Selected medicinalplants were planted in pasturelands for the cultivationand sustainability of the species. A medicinal andaromatic plants (MAPs) nursery was planted at theTraditional Health Care Centre (THCC) at Phoksundoand Dho providing a regular supply of medicinal
plants to be made into medicines used by Amchisfor traditional treatments.
Micro hydroTwo hydro electricity projects were carried out. Onea micro hydro 35 KW, benefiting 180 households inKota, Galli and Ralli villages of Tripurakot VDC, andthe other a grid extension benefiting 149 householdsin Ruma and Maddhu Gaun of the same VDC. Inaddition, a community of 65 Dalit households alsobenefited. This has helped reduce pressure on forestand fuel wood consumption, contributed to a changein the socio-economic status of the area, for examplethere is an increased awareness through access toTV; women have more time to participate in incomegenerating work and students study in the evening.Capacity building activities, ranging from technicaltraining to business plan preparation, were carriedout to enable communities to manage the microhydro schemes in the future.
Solar lights and improved cooking stovesTraditionally pine trees were used to provide light inthe home. Even in more modern times fuel, such askerosene was too expensive to purchase and carry,perhaps for many days. As well as contributing tothe degradation of forests, this method of lightingaffected the health of households through the amountof smoke produced. In order to conserve trees andpromote better health, solar lights were introducedinto households. Today all the households (692) inUpper Dolpa have solar lighting along withhouseholds in Lower Dolpa which are not connectedto hydro power energy.
Nursery
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19Improved cooking stoves (ICS) were also introducedinto 726 households. These work by reducing theamount of fire wood required, reducing the amountof smoke in the home, and can be easily adaptedwith back boilers to provide hot water and greaterheat generation in the room. Based on recordedfeedback by households, the more recent ICS weremodified and introduced to other households at asubsidized cost.
"The first time I saw solar lights, it felt like night wasday," Thinley Lama, star of the film Himalaya
6.2.2 Species ConservationSnow Leopard Conservation Project 2006-2008The Shey Phoksundo Region is a key habitat for thesnow leopard and the Dhorpatan area is vital to theblue sheep. WWF's support has been instrumentalin developing human resources in the SheyPhoksundo National Park through its Snow LeopardConservation Project, greatly improving working
conditions for park guards. Through themanagement of the natural resources of SPNP andelevating the living standards of the local people theproject aims to bring the local communities to a pointwhere it is possible for them to understand and careabout the conservation of snow leopards and theirhabitat.
Goal:Create an information base for an action plan forsnow leopardconservation in Nepal and promote publicparticipation for its protection.
Objectives:• Complete a series of surveys on the snow leopard,
its prey species and habitats,including interactionswith local communities,in three phases coveringcritical snow leopard habitat areas ie the north-western part (SPNP), the north-central part(Annapurna Conservation Area) and the north-eastern part (Kanchenjunga Conservation Area).
• Create an information base on the Snow Leopard,its prey speciesand habitats in an adapted format styled alongwith lines of the Snow Leopard InformationManagement System (SLIMS) adopted by theISLT.
• Establish a cadre of well-equipped nationalprofessionals and field level wildlife techniciansfor snow leopard survey through in-countrytraining and provision of survey equipment andinstruments.
• Develop public awareness programmes for theprotection of the species.
• Develop a mechanism of public participation forthe co-existence of livestock and snow leopard.
• Develop an action plan for long term snow leopardconservation in Nepal based on scientificallycorrect and socio-economically relevantinformation.
Objective 1: Awareness and mobilization for snowleopard/ prey species/ habitat conservation
It is estimated there are only 4,510-7,3506 snowleopards left in the wild. Of these beautiful creatures,350-500, or 10% of the total world population, aredistributed along the northern borders of Nepal, inthe districts of Mustang, Mugu, Humla and Dolpa. It
6 www.panda.org
Local lady with her new ICS
Snow Leopard
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is estimated that there are 110 - 154 snow leopardsin Shey Phuksundo National Park.
Despite Nepal 's continual effort to save the snowleopard, its long-term viability is threatened by theconflict between livestock depredation and retaliatorykillings, poaching, and loss of habitat due to highdensity of livestock in grazing areas. Degradation ofthe snow leopards habitat continues due to grazingpressure. As snow leopards are opportunisticpredators, they often kill livestock due to highencounter rates and ineffective guarding by herders,causing snow leopard-human conflict. They areknown to kill sheep goats, horses and yak calves,and this is one of the main threats to their survival.In addition, snow leopard pelts, bones, and bodyparts are used in Traditional Chinese medicine aswell as for decorative furniture and traditional attire,and thus are valuable to poachers, and an illicit trans-border market exists between the northern borderof Nepal and Tibet.
Livestock Insurance SchemeLivestock Insurance Schemes provide compensationfor livestock killed or injured by a snow leopard inorder to avoid retaliatory killing. This scheme waspiloted in the Kanchanjunga Conservation Area andreplicated in SPNP based on its success, lessonslearned and best practises in Kanchanjunga.Participating households pay an insurance premiumper livestock head, as agreed by the managementcommittee. NMCP provide a topping-up grant tomaintain the fund. Farmers place their claims withthe Scheme Management Committee who receive
appropriate capacity building training, if their livestockis killed by a snow leopard.
The construction of leopard poof livestock pens alsotook place as well as awareness training for herdersand livestock inventories to monitor its depredationrate highlighted depredation hotspots in differentVDCs. To further mitigate loss amongst livestockinjured by snow leopards, a veterinary careprogramme was established.
Objective 2: Regular monitoring of snow leopard andprey species
Snow leopard, their prey and habitat were regularlymonitored by the park authorities as well as membersof the eight Snow Leopard Conservation Committeesformed by the project. Indicators are that in 2007there was an estimated 5-7 snow leopards per 100km2 in SPNP.
Anti-poachingWith high demand for snow leopard bones, pelts andother parts, demand for blue sheep meat and muskdeer musk pods, it is vital to protect these animals.To this end, anti-poaching units were established tocontrol poaching. Due to the difficult terrain andextent of the area involved, it was vital that thecommunity took the lead through Community BasedAnti-poaching Operation Units (CBAPOs), formed andsupported by NMCP. With the accompanyingawareness raising and conservation training, CBAPOwill continue to patrol, monitor and curb poaching inthe future. The park itself is also involved in anti-
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21poaching activities but the sheer size of the area andthe small number of staff personnel makes itimpossible for them to do so alone.
"I have six ranger positions but only two are currentlyfilled. No one wants to work in this remote area.There are 200 army personnel supposed to guardthe park against poachers but they don't havetraining or knowledge about conservation. I knowWWF has provided them some awareness training,mostly about poaching, but they still need more.During the insurgency the poaching was very bad.I remember once that a poaching team killed 18musk deer, 12 being female. The reason to kill themwas to collect the musk pods and since only maleshave this, these 12 females were killed needlessly.Some areas of the park are very difficult to evenaccess, never mind monitor. For example theLangur Valley has to be entered by the Mugu Districtside. In that area I know 6 or 7 snow leopards havebeen killed in recent times. Now we at the Park areworking to raise the awareness of the local peopleso they can help keep a look out for poachers,"MrMrMrMrMr. Ganesh Pant, W. Ganesh Pant, W. Ganesh Pant, W. Ganesh Pant, W. Ganesh Pant, Warararararden, SPNPden, SPNPden, SPNPden, SPNPden, SPNP
Objective 3: Develop database system on biologicaland socio-economic features of SPNP and bufferzone
In order to manage effectively any protected area, itis fundamental to gather scientific information onbiodiversity. Several surveys and data collectionswere carried out in SPNP including a wildlife censuswhich pinpointed the range of species in the area,including a bird check list; and a survey of the snowleopard prey base and an assessment of rangelandsand management of pastures, including rotationalgrazing and medicinal plant harvesting; livestocknumbers and movements in pastures was alsomonitored. There were plans to monitor snowleopard movement through radio collaring. However,this could not be carried out due to reservationsregarding the darting of the animals. Collectinginformation on socio-economy is also crucial foraddressing issues concerning people and theirlivelihoods as it pertains to conservation. Studieson the socio-economic and biological features ofSPNP were carried out within PPI which includedthe publication of a "Book on Medicinal Plants ofDolpa, Amchi's Knowledge and Practices, Trade andConservation".
Pasture Resource ManagementWith the establishment of the buffer zone, managedthrough Buffer Zone User Committees, exploitation
Summer Grass, Winter InsectSummer Grass, Winter InsectSummer Grass, Winter InsectSummer Grass, Winter InsectSummer Grass, Winter Insect
Yarsagumba literally translates to "summer grass,winter insect" and is only found in the Himalayaalpine areas at around 4,000 metres. Its lifecyclebegins in the spring when the Lepidoptera mothlays its eggs which hatch into larvae. As thecaterpillars feed on the pastureland spores of thecordyceps mushroom land on some of them,growingupwards through their head. Until it dies, exhaustedby the fungus, it remains alive, its thin yellow stalkvibrating slightly, attracting harvesters during themonths of May/ June.
of resources has been reduced through the renewedinterest in pasture resource management. Take forexample the case of Yarsagumba. With the largeamount of money that can be gained from theharvesting of this species literally thousands ofpeople come from neighbouring districts during theharvesting period of May/ June and do untold
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22damage to both the long term sustainability ofYarsagumba and to the surrounding plants andenvironment. NMCP, by providing awareness raising,capacity building and forming groups such as EcoClubs (who collect the garbage created by harvesters)and CBAPOs (who monitor the impact of harvestingand harvesters on the environment) is enabling thecommunity to better manage pasture resources.However, there is much work to be done and supportin terms of firm regulations needs to come from thegovernment.
6.2.3 Sustainable DevelopmentObjective 1: Increase women’s development anddecision making of women anddisadvantaged groups in conservation anddevelopment activities
It has been identified that the best way to involvepeople in the conservation of biodiversity is todemonstrate how the biodiversity of their areaimpacts on their lives. It is unreasonable to expectcommunities to conserve and protect the land andspecies found there if they themselves are living atsubsistence level. By linking sustainable livelihoodswith conservation, particularly for women anddisadvantaged groups, NMCP gave them a meansto improve their livelihoods. This also gave them theability to be in a better financial position to take onboard conservation activities as well as including aneducational element enabling them to become moreaware as to how conservation of the biodiversitybenefits the community in the long run. Bettermanagement of NTFP and protection of plant andanimal species may attract researchers, traders andtourists to the area as well as, for example in thecase of plant species, providing medicinal plants fortraditional medicine.
Through the establishment of Sister Groups, trainingwas provided not only on livelihood activities suchas linking with Cottage and Craft DevelopmentCommittee at Dunai for carpet weaving, but also onhealth and hygiene issues, credit and savings andnon-formal education classes (NFE).
Objective 2: Agro-forestry support for additionalincome generation and improvednutrition
The productivity of the small parcels of agriculturalland in Dolpa is declining due to the poor irrigation
“WWF gave us help to start our Sisters Group.Before that time people were thinking badly of thenational park with its rules and regulations so ourgroup had to work very hard to convince themotherwise. WWF gave us money to help us learn.During the conflict there were many problems,meetings had to be cancelled, and we could noteven think or work well. Money wasn’t usedproperly, trees were cut – the situation was out ofcontrol. Village development totally stopped. Nowthings are going well; we are more modern in ourways. Much of our work is stopping people cuttingtrees, supporting BZFUGs and Eco Clubs. Gettingpeople to stop cutting trees is huge work, we go totheir houses and fine them. In total we collectedmore than Rs10,000 in fines which we put into ourgroup account. We also try to stop poachers andother groups help us with that. When my groupgoes to collect Yarsagumba the money is put intoa savings and credit fund. The sisters made mepresident as I am more educated than others.Although we are women, we don’t want to be behindmen!”Mrs. Laxmi Thapa, Chairperson of TMrs. Laxmi Thapa, Chairperson of TMrs. Laxmi Thapa, Chairperson of TMrs. Laxmi Thapa, Chairperson of TMrs. Laxmi Thapa, Chairperson of Tripura Sistersripura Sistersripura Sistersripura Sistersripura SistersGrGrGrGrGroup, teacher and Interoup, teacher and Interoup, teacher and Interoup, teacher and Interoup, teacher and International Wnational Wnational Wnational Wnational Women’omen’omen’omen’omen’s Days Days Days Days Day2006 A2006 A2006 A2006 A2006 Awarwarwarwarward Wd Wd Wd Wd Winnerinnerinnerinnerinner
systems, poor soil fertility, extreme climates and lowrainfall. The very limited amount of outside technicalsupport has been inadequate to address thesechallenges. Thus, the majority of households in thebuffer zone were found to be food deficient, relyingon limited, single crops of potatoes, barley, millet orbuckwheat. In Lower Dolpa crops are similar withadded wheat, paddy, and maize. Sample studiesfound that 52% of the population were food deficientfor almost six months of each year. In Upper Dolpathat figure increases to more than 80%.
With limited access to income sources and theselimited food crops, NMCP, through awareness raisingand livelihood improvement activities, encouragedpeople to consider both their own nutritional needsand the conservation needs of their surroundings.With very limited arable land, promoting agriculturewas not possible and promoting tourism on therequired scale requires huge resources and wasoutwith the programmes’ capacity. A smallopportunity existed to promote vegetable farmingand fruit plantations along trekking routes and to thisend seedlings and seeds were distributed and a‘conservation farmer’ appointed in each village toassist households.
Objective 3: Institutionalization and capacity buildingof buffer zone user committeesfor conservation and development activities
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The programme supported the SPNP and localpeople to take the initiative to expedite the buffer zonedeclaration which materialized in 1998. It tookconsiderable time and effort to orient local people toform Buffer Zone User Committees (BZUC) and theBuffer Zone Management Council (BZMC). Trainingand observation tours of other parks were conductedto get practical ideas first hand from other BufferZone Committee’s experience. Operational plans ofthe BZUCs were prepared, and endorsed by thegovernment.
Before the buffer zone committees existed,Community Forests Groups (FUGs); Sister Groupsfor saving and credit; Eco Clubs; Traditional HealthCare Committees (THCC); Snow leopardConservation Committees (SLCC), and RangelandManagement Committees already formed werebrought under the BZUC structure as per Buffer ZoneRegulation of the Government of Nepal, andregistered in the park to ensure legality, betterlinkages and coordination.
Promotion of good governance in natural resourcemanagement was to make effective and efficient useof available resource; increase people’s participationand strengthen trust of community institutions thatensures long term institutional sustainability.
Objective 4: Provide environmental awarenessprogramme and community sanitation programmesin and around SPNP and its buffer zone area
Traditional ways of life respected nature and theenvironment but with changing times, the impact ofarmed-conflict, more exposure to the outside world
and the desire for consumer goods which requirecash, some traditions were found to be eroding inthe Dolpa area. Through working with Amchis,establishing a Traditional Health Care Centre, andproviding scholarships for Amchi students, NMCPhas helped revive interest in this ancient art of healing.
In the same way, NMCP has increased the awarenessof environmental and sanitation issues throughlinking with groups, such as BZFUGs, Sister Groupsand Eco Clubs, providing them with capacity buildingand awareness training. Both Eco Clubs and SisterGroups have been involved in health and hygieneactivities and Eco Clubs are active in cleaning uppasture areas and making sure their own householdsand villages are kept clean. Today most villages havecommunity latrines and what started as pressure byEco Clubs to keep individual households clean, isnow a habit in most homes.
BZFUGs have been involved in plantations, nurseries,study tours, and the revision of FOPs, all of whichhave included teachings on the value of theenvironment and demonstrated conservation ofbiodiversity.
Objective 5: Supporting local health caredevelopment through capacity building of Amchisand women
Amchis, practitioners of traditional Tibetan healing,have a rich legacy of knowledge of medicinal plantsand their use. The major thrust of NMCP’s effort inconserving and institutionalizing this legacy is topromote wise use of medicinal plants, and, at thesame time, enhance health care services to the peopleof Dolpa since modern health care services andfacilities are almost non-existent in the area.
NMCP’s landmark achievement in promoting healthcare facilities through institutionalization of Amchitraditions was the establishment of Traditional HealthCare Centres (THCCs). Along with the establishmentof these THCCs, NMCP equally emphasized on thecapacity building of Amchis through varioustrainings. One result is that the training and capacitybuilding of female Amchis has made a real differencein terms of women’s reproductive health in the twoTHCC as well as the overall health of neighbouringcommunities. In addition, as a result of increasingthe capacity of existing Amchis confidence amongthem has grown and the overall number of patients
Salix trees planted in Vijer
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seen has increased. Linking this with providingwomen with basic health education, such as hygiene,family health and women’s health, an overallimprovement in household health is also seen.
THCCs were provided with support to establishendowment funds in order to ensure their financialsustainability in running clinics in the future.Currently, THCCs are efficiently managingendowment fund equivalent to NRs 12,000,000 torun the clinics. Now, VDCs are regularly funding theremunerations of Amchis, Friends of Dopo and ActionDolpo are also supporting THCC services.
6.2.4 Conservation Education, CapacityBuilding and CommunicationUntil the Northern Mountain ConservationProgramme (NMCP) began its activities, there wasno conservation education in Dolpa. In fact therewas very little education of any kind, includingschooling. Children from disadvantaged groups andgirls from all groups, lacked education. With adultliteracy standing at less than the 2004 figure quotedhere of 29%7, which does not take into account thedifferences between men and women or Upper andLower Dolpa, the area around Shey PhoksumdoNational Park fell 20% below the national average inliteracy.
NMCP introduced non-formal education (NFE)classes to its programme area, targeting the
disadvantaged and women. It also introducedstipends for both girls in general education, andAmchi students to enable them to study thistraditional healing. This, along with the establishmentof groups such as Sisters Groups and Echo Clubs,made it easier to introduce the topic of conservationeducation into every day life. Community Based Anti-poaching Operation Units (CBAPOs), park staff, armypersonnel, BZFUG members and Amchis were allprovided with conservation education and capacitybuilding skills to enable them to utilize thisknowledge.
Education tools were applied such as learningmaterial in Tibetan language, the use of the well-knowMeena cartoon, and the publication and distributionwithin Dolpa of a newsletter called "Phoksundo" everythree months which highlighted conservation newsfrom the programme area.
Objective 1: Support to eco clubs for conservationeducation
Eco Clubs have been formed with the cooperationand coordination of School Management CommitteesMembers and, therefore, mainly consist of schoolstudents and young people from the community. EcoClubs are learning, observing and helping to takecare of the environment and ecosystem. In remote,rugged areas such as Dolpa where people cannotsurvive without relying heavily on their surrounding
7 Source: Nepal Human Development Report 2004 Empowerment and Poverty Reduction UNDP
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25natural environment, Eco Club members are not onlyacquiring knowledge and skills relating to natureconservation but also relating to culturalconservation.
For example, during the week long Shey Festival in1999, the Eco Clubs of Dho and Phoksundo launchedan awareness programme at Shey. Club membersensured the garbage generated by pilgrims wasproperly managed and demonstrated how toconstruct simple latrines. As part of this festival,thousands of pilgrims and tourists from all overNepal, India and Tibet were witness to lamas wearingsashes, provided by the Eco Clubs, with "Let'sConserve our Earth" written on them. With lamasbeing highly respected and their teachings thoughtvaluable, this conservation message was thusdisseminated to a huge number of people
Objective 2: Stipends to girl students and Amchistudents
In Upper Dolpa government schools existed mainlyon paper only. In reality teachers, if even hired, didnot attend classes. Since education is the basis forall development, disadvantaged girls were providedwith stipends to help enable them to study inboarding schools in Dunai, Sandang, Dho andTapriza. Providing girls with education is also provento improve family health and is more likely to avoidearly marriage and childbearing8.
Providing stipends to Amchi students hasencouraged some members of the younger
generation to seriously consider the practice of Amchimedicine as a career. Amchi and traditionalknowledge of medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs)was introduced into the general student body at threeschools in Upper Dolpa namely, Tapiriza BoardingSchool in Phoksundo Mount Crystal Boarding Schoolat Dho and Sahid Dharmabhata Primary in Saldang.
Objective 3: Capacity building for park staff, ecoclubs, BZFUGs and women's groups for integratedconservation and development activities
Without building the capacity of communities, groupsand individuals conservation and developmentactivities are very difficult to carry out and even moredifficult to sustain after the programme ends. Thus,capacity building was given to enable a large numberof beneficiaries. For example, orientation was givento the Park Protection Unit (Nepalese Army) byproviding them with comprehensive details of therules and regulations relating to the National Parkand enabling them to better understand why the parkis important.
As learning through first hand experience is the bestway to internalize knowledge, training and study tourswere provided to park staff, the Buffer ZoneManagement Committee, Sister Groups and localpeople to other national parks and buffer zones, suchas Bardia. By taking members of different groups onstudy tours not only could they see and interact withsimilar groups but they could better understand theprocess and be more convinced through talking tolike-minded people.
Objective 4: Provide capacity building activities forAmchi and local women's groups
Amchi is a widely practiced traditional health caresystem in the western Himalayan mountain areaswhich is on the verge of extinction due to the youngergeneration losing interest. By providing scholarshipsto Amchi students, as mentioned above, it is hopedthe art of traditional healing will not be lost.
Building the overall capacity of Amchis, through thebuilding of Traditional Health Care Centres (THCC)at Dho and Phoksundo, and helping Amchis buildon, record and improve their knowledge of medicinalplants, has helped to not only revive this art in the
8 www.unicef.org
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eyes of the local community and further build theirtrust and confidence in the healers, but has enabledthe establishment of links between Amchis ofdifferent areas.
In 1997 a workshop was organized where all theAmchis from Dolpa were addressed by two seniorAmchis from the Mustang area. One of the results ofthis workshop was the establishment of a nationalumbrella organisations called the "Himalayan AmchiAssociation". Building on this success, the firstNational Conference of Amchis took place in 2001and has since been held in 2003.
Women have become more active at all levels in thecommunity as a result of capacity building receivedfrom NMCP. Gender training provided to both menand women alike, women in general are moreoutspoken. In some cases they are even taking thelead in decision making regarding NTFP, family health,their daughters' education, account keeping, tourismrelated livelihood opportunities, and even anti-poaching.
6.2.5 Policy and AdvocacyAs learnings from the Northern MountainConservation Programme grew, it was realized thatlinks between the ground reality should be fed backinto policy making to ensure that best practices could
"Now Amchis have a good contact with each other because of networking. It has strengthened traditionalsystems. For example, through the training we received from WWF, we have been able to more clearly identifyways for sustainable harvesting of the plants we use in our medicines," Amchi Namgyal Lama, Dho THCCAmchi Namgyal Lama, Dho THCCAmchi Namgyal Lama, Dho THCCAmchi Namgyal Lama, Dho THCCAmchi Namgyal Lama, Dho THCC
be replicated throughout the country and that whatwas being put into effect in the communities wouldbe sustainable. Likewise, it was realized that in orderto really be effective at grass roots level, there has tobe an effective policy environment, again to enablelong term sustainability and in order thatcommunities felt there was a larger interest in whatthey achieved. Based on this realization, NMCP beganto implement activities that would allow forcoordination at policy level, enabling instrumentssuch as the park management plan to be used.
In 2002, the SAGUN Programme was introduced todo just this, and more.
Objective 1: Communication and coordinationbetween local, district and nationallevel stakeholders
In the early years, NMCP worked at park, buffer zoneand community level only. It was only once therealisation that coordination and communicationsneeds to be maintained with district and national levelstakeholders that this was included in the programmeactivities. This was also important to ensure synergyand avoid duplication of activities.
SAGUN has strengthened the capacities of relevantstakeholders raising the level of understanding and
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communication between them. Thus, ensuringtransparency, democratic and timely cooperation andcoordination towards ensuring ownership,especially among women, the poor, Dalits andJanajati groups of all aspects, concepts andimplementation of conservation strategies at alllevels.
Objective 2: Follow up on nomination of SPNP as aWorld Heritage Site
During the working year 1998-99 the first steps weretaken towards lobbying for designating SPNP a WorldHeritage Site (WHS). It is obvious that SPNP'suniqueness in terms of ecology, biodiversity andculture makes it a prime candidate for designation.The major thrust to lobby for designating SPNP as aWHS was to highlight its importance both at national
"Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Ourcultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration". UNESCO
UNESCO's World Heritage mission is to, in brief, encourage countries to sign the World Heritage Convention toensure the protection of their natural and cultural heritage; encourage State Parties to the Convention to nominatesites within their national territory for inclusion on the World Heritage List; help them to safeguard World Heritageproperties by providing technical assistance and professional training, and encourage participation of the localpopulation in the preservation of their cultural and natural heritage:
Within Nepal there are already several World Heritage Sites:-• Sagarmatha National Park (1979)• Royal Chitwan National Park (1984)• Lumbini, the Birthplace of the Lord Buddha (1997)• Kathmandu Valley (1979, 2006) consisting of seven monument zones: Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan
and Bhaktapur; Pashupati and Changu Narayan temples, and Swayambu and Boudhanath stupas.
and international level. By doing so it would alsobring prospects for increasing interest of nationaland international agencies in conservation ofbiodiversity in the area and at the same timedevelopment of tourism to benefit the localcommunities. However, due to a Maoist attack atDunai, the technical team had to be rescued fromthe field, and could not complete their assignmentrelated to the world heritage site nomination, andthis was shelved. This is one activity earmarked forfuture activity.
Objective 3: Endorsement and implementation ofSPNP and buffer zone managementplan
The Management Plan of parks and buffer zones is akey instrument for implementing conservation
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28policies and programmes at ground level, however,when NMCP first began, SPNP and its buffer zonelacked a Management Plan. The plan was developedwith financial and technical support from the NMCPthrough rigorous consultation with the localcommunities, stakeholders and partners. Biologicaland socio-economic studies were also conductedto provide information for preparation of the Plan.The Management Plan for SPNP and the buffer zonehas since been endorsed by the Government ofNepal.
Strengthened Act ions for Governance inStrengthened Act ions for Governance inStrengthened Act ions for Governance inStrengthened Act ions for Governance inStrengthened Act ions for Governance inUtilization of Natural ResourUtilization of Natural ResourUtilization of Natural ResourUtilization of Natural ResourUtilization of Natural Resources Prces Prces Prces Prces Programmeogrammeogrammeogrammeogramme(SAGUN) - November 2002 - June 09(SAGUN) - November 2002 - June 09(SAGUN) - November 2002 - June 09(SAGUN) - November 2002 - June 09(SAGUN) - November 2002 - June 09
SAGUN has been an integral part of the NMCPsince its inception in 2002. Its vision is to see goodgovernance practices internalized by naturalresource management groups at all levels,supporting a code of conduct of equity in accessto and benefits from local forest and waterresources, specifically benefiting women and otherdisadvantaged people, with increasing productivityof natural resources under local transparent andaccountable management, directly supportingpoverty alleviation, rural community developmentand national economic growth. In addition,partnerships in natural resource management willresolve conflicts locally and nationally.
At the time of writing, October 08, SAGUN is in itsfinal nine months phase. The SAGUN teamcomprises of WWF Nepal, Care Nepal, FECOFUN,and Rims Nepal working in Dhading District only.
While the programme components of SAGUN arethe same as those for the larger NMCP, SAGUN'soverall objective is to ensure natural resources aremanaged democratically with good governanceand equitable participation and distribution.
Overall Objective:Overall Objective:Overall Objective:Overall Objective:Overall Objective:To ensure that Nepal's natural resources aremanaged in a democratic way; that performanceof selected institutions is improved to meet theprinciples of good governance and participation;and, in particular, that the benefits derived fromnatural resources are dispersed in accountableand transparent ways to the local communitiesand that they and other earned revenues areequitably distributed.
Specific Objectives:Specific Objectives:Specific Objectives:Specific Objectives:Specific Objectives:• Strengthen the organisational structures,
governance and accountability, and technicalcapacities of natural resource management usergroups, to ensure a) resource sustainability andbiodiversity conservation, b) groupsustainability's, and c) participation of womenand other disadvantaged groups.
• Strengthen the financial management capacitiesof natural resource management (NRM) groups(such as BZFUGs), and their capacity to monitorbenefit and revenue-sharing within their owngroups, communities locally elected bodies,Village Development Committees (VDCs) andDistrict Development Committees (DDCs) andat higher levels.
• Strengthen the capacities of the relevant NGOsand user federations/ coalitions in civil society,and of selected private service providers, to workwith an assist line agencies, local NRM groupsand local elected bodies to achieve SpecificObjectives No. 1 and 2 above.
• Assure more timely communication between allstakeholders of NRM development in Nepal toa) share lessons learned and best practices, b)promote parallel planning, coordination andimplementation, and c) participate in policydiscourse.
• Document and disseminate best practices andlessons learned regarding local NRM groupdevelopment and support, to a) enhanceconcurrent programme implementation b) informfuture strategic planning, c) enhancegovernance skills d) plan and monitor benefit-sharing, and e) inform policy review anddevelopment.
• Raise the level of understanding among Nepal'sNRM civil service at large (all levels) and ensuretheir ownership of current environmental governanceand social development concepts, philosophies,field methods and implementation strategies.
Amchi making medicine
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29Challenges and LessonsLearned7
7.1 Forest Conservation
• Over grazing and the old traditional methods ofmanagement have put pressure on pastures andgrazing land, especially since the closing oftransects between Nepal and Tibet has increasedthe pressure on existing pastures. In addition,with the decrease in herd sizes, many people havestopped taking them to remote pastures and areutilizing areas round the villages, resulting in soilerosion.
• FOPs are in place for only five years beforeneeding renewal. Due to a shortage ofgovernment manpower and time, it is a challengeto have these BZFUG operation plans reviewedand renewed every five years.
• Plantations were initiated in Upper Dolpa butchallenges arose due to the dryness of the landand the difficulties associated with transportingseedlings to Upper Dolpa. Due to the terrain therewere no forests in Upper Dolpa, with all timberbeing transported from Lower Dolpa. Presentlythere are a few patches of trees including salix.
• The huge number of people entering theYarsagumba pastures cause forest fires, over-
harvesting of fuel-wood, poaching of wildlife etcwhich is hard to monitor and impossible to controlbecause of its scale.
7.2 Species Conservation
• As even simple research can be demanding interms of human and time resources in remoteHimalayan areas, the high level of academicresearch carried out in this programme has hadsignificant implication in developingunderstanding of the ecology and conservationbiology of Himalayan medicinal plants. Theconflict situation, high altitude pastures andweather constraints make it difficult to regularlymonitor research sites leading to focussingecological research on selected plants such asNardostachys grandiflora and Neopicrorhizascrophularriflora.
• The People and Plant Initiative (PPI) conductedresearch on sustainable harvesting of threatenedplants, domestication of commercially importantplants and socio-economic studies on livelihoodaspects, forging links between the conservation
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30of medicinal plants and the strengthening of healthcare within the park and buffer zone. The resultsof these researches have been incorporated intoprogramme implementation in order to fully utilizethe information and not just perpetuating thesituation of research for research sake. Forexample, BZFUGs have adopted ethnobotanicalapproaches to manage NTFP in their operationalplans.
• PPI also addressed basic needs, especially inUpper Dolpa where health services were non-existent, through the establishment of TraditionalHealth Care Centres (THCCs). The THCCs havealso been successful in demonstrating MAPscultivation and sustainable harvesting of MAPs,encouraging the spread of Amchi medicine amongyouths and generally being a focal point in thecommunity which then encouraged awareness of,and participation in, other programme activitiessuch as biodiversity and species conservation. Amajor lesson learned was that linking conservationactivities with sustainable development is the bestapproach. Another lesson learned is thattraditional knowledge and practices can work andbenefit the community as well as contributing toconservation. Demonstrating this is the fact thatin 2004 the Phoksundo THCC, and in 2006, theDho THCC were awarded the coveted AbrahamConservation Award for their achievements.
• Wildlife populations in Upper Dolpa are reportedlygrowing and consequently incidents of cropsdamaged by blue sheep (upper Dolpa), wild-boarsand bears (lower Dolpa) are increasing. Livestockdepredation of sheep, goats, yak/zopkyo, cattleand horses by wolves and snow leopards is alsoincreasing. The Livestock Insurance Scheme hasbeen a good approach to increase level oftolerance of farmers for depredation of livestock.It has been instrumental in bringing about an endto the retaliatory killing of snow leopards byherders. However, this scheme only applies tokills by snow leopards does not address the needfor mitigation and compensation measures toaddress the needs and demands of the poorbrought about due to human/ wildlife conflicts,other than snow leopards, such as cropdepredation, kills by wild dog and other wildanimals.
• The changing of policy on Yarsagumba frombanned to regulated has not solved the problems
The Abraham Conservation Award was establishedin 1995 through the generosity of Ms NancyAbraham, a WWF US Board member, who wasstruck by the dedication and passion forconservation displayed by a national park staff.
For the past 13 years the Abraham ConservationAward has recognized and honoured people andorganisations that have made significantcontributions to ensuring Nepal's rich biodiversity.It has also served as a means to raise awarenessand motivation especially among frontlineconservationists.
List of awardees of Abraham Conservation Awardfrom Dolpa:
2000 Mr Thinley Lundup Lama and Mt CrystalSchool, Dho Tarap
2002 DESERT, Dolpa based NGO2004 THCC Phoksundo, Phoksundo VDC2005 Babiro Dalit Didi Bahini Samuha, Dalit
Women's Group of Tripurakot VDC2006 THCC Dho, Tarap VDC2007 Mr Akhanda Upadhya*, Eco Club Member,
Duai VDC2008 Mr Tashi Gyalzen Lama, Social/Conservation
worker, Saldang VDC
*Now studying forestry at the University of Pokhara
associated with it. Rather, the government strategyof collecting revenue from harvesters has notreduced but promoted illegal export. Thegovernment has shown interest only in collectionof revenue, thus, any efforts in management(including sustainable harvest and marketing) thatit has initiated have not been effective. Thethousands of people who swarm over the pasturesand surrounding areas have raised real concernsover the sustainability of Yarsagumba, thesafeguarding of the fragile ecosystem of the alpinemeadows, and the financial future of the peopleof Dolpa. The harvesters also bring with themlarge quantities of non-biodegradable waste, andcreate sanitation concerns and concerns abouttheir safety - each year several harvesters die dueto being unprepared for the cold and high altitudeor simply due to the harsh living conditions theysubject themselves to for weeks on end.
7.3 Sustainable Development
• Linking conservation with sustainabledevelopment issues is one of the major lessonslearned from NMCP. For example, social services
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31carried out in the THCC such as family andreproductive health, immunization and personalhygiene and sanitation have been included, alongwith a broader range of activities relevant to localissues, strengthening local support andparticipation. Community support to THCCs andparticipation in other activities has been high,especially among the members of BZFUGs, SisterGroups and Eco Clubs. Women's participationsteadily increased, and it was found environmentalawareness was not limited to Eco Clubs but wasspread throughout whole communities. TheTHCCs became almost informal communitymeeting points, especially for women,demonstrating that incorporating meeting basicneeds, in this case health, with other activitiessuch as environmental awareness andconservation of health and income giving MAPsis very beneficial for both the community and theimplementation of programme activities. Thisshould be replicated in other programme sites.
• It has been seen that when mountain communitiesare empowered to manage their resource baseand provided with enterprise options that arelinked to biodiversity and can generate incomeand employment to reduce poverty whileproviding incentives to conserve naturalresources, conservation more readily takes place.Not only does this provide benefits for women,poor, Dalits and marginalized Janajatis, but it alsomatches conservation goals with social justice.One way to do this in the future would be througheco tourism.
• Mobilization of group funds in an equitablemanner is an effective way to support communitydevelopment, and poverty alleviation to helpimprove the livelihoods of women, the poor, Dalits,and marginalized Janajatis. However, resourcepoor BZFUGs, particularly in the hill districts, arecompelled to rely more on external resources toimplement livelihood programmes. Hence, it isessential to thoroughly explore resources andservices rendered by other line agencies.
7.4 Good Governance in NaturalResources Management
• Social empowerment is necessary but notsufficient alone to institutionalise goodgovernance practices within FUGs and other
groups. It is important to link economicempowerment with social empowerment activitiesincluding the equitable representation of women,poor, Dalits and other marginalized groups. It isimportant that they received leadershipdevelopment to assist them in their roles. It isalso important they and other members realisewhat is expected of them and realise each otherslimitations through such mobilizing tools astraining, workshops and exposure visit to help toempower them and influence in decision making.
• The mobilization of Local Resource Persons iseffective in reaching out to people at thegrassroots level, particularly as it is cost effective,ensures wider coverage, and increases access toinformation and communication by BZFUGs onimportant community forestry rules, regulations,policies, provisions, roles, responsibilities, rightsetc.
• Building the capacity of groups such as FUGsalone will not have a long term affect on thesustainability and improvement of the biodiversity.As well as local and district capacity, national levelawareness and strengthening must take place inorder that protection policies and laws are put inplace. The SAGUN Programme addresses theseissues as well as ensuring good governance,accountability, organisation and technicalcapacities at grass roots level. Activities such aspublic hearing and public auditing (PHPA) andparticipatory well being ranking (PWBR)contribute to addressing negative consequencesof conflict, armed and others.
• Stakeholders consultation meetings are a goodforum to coordinate line agencies and fordeveloping strong coordination and linkage,
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32avoiding duplication, effective programmeimplementation, programme sustainability etc.
7.5 Impact of Conflict onProgramme Implementation
Dolpa was one of the most severely affected districtsduring the insurgency. During the programme yearsMaoist activities in Dolpa were extensive, at timesmaking it difficult to gain trust and mobilize people.Confidence to gain self-empowerment was lacking incommunities during the armed conflict and concernfor the safety of project staff effected monitoring andsupervision of field activities during some programmeperiods. In 2000 there was a major Maoist attack onthe district headquarters of Dunai and the ProjectManager was held by the Maoists for a week. Mobilityof government staff at village level was not possibleduring this time and thus meetings and activitiesinvolving the government, such as preparation ofFOPs, were hampered. Meetings in general wererestricted to areas close to the district headquartersand Upper Dolpa as these were the areas least affectedby the conflict. Overall, activities which did not involvemass meetings were unaffected.
• NCMP followed a 'needs based' and a 'do noharm' policy. With transparent financial andoperating procedures, trust with the communitywas built, enabling both the beneficiary
"The relationship between WWF and the locals isvery good. I have always found the people to bevery friendly and helpful and they refer to WWF as"W". However, working in Dolpa is very hard and alot of time is spent on travel. During the insurgencythere were the added problems of Maoist restrictions.At that time very few people came to the area andexcept few rural health workers it was not easy forthe government officials to travel in the field. Because"W" is transparent in all activities, however, we wereallowed to continue our meetings, such as publichearings, and even the Maoists who came to listenand monitor thanked us for our transparency andgood work,"Gautum Poudyal, NMCP PrGautum Poudyal, NMCP PrGautum Poudyal, NMCP PrGautum Poudyal, NMCP PrGautum Poudyal, NMCP Project Ofoject Ofoject Ofoject Ofoject Officerficerficerficerficer
communities and the project staff to concentrateon the objectives of the programme. This wasachieved through working with community basedorganisations and maintaining political neutrality.This was especially critical during the armed-conflict period and ensured the continuation ofthe programme. The fact that the project managerwas questioned by the Maoists, released andactivities allowed to continue is only due to thetransparency of the programme, its relatively lowprofile, the fact it was very much involved thecommunity in decision making, and the goodimage portrait by the field staff. This methodologyshould be replicated in future programmes andcare taken in the planning of programmes to allowfor revision and adaption of activities at field levelshould unforeseen events occur.
Milking Yak at Raman Saldang
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33The Way Forward8
Linking sustainable development with conservationgives the long term protection of a particular areaand culture a real chance to succeed. However,pastoral activities and subsistence farming, thetraditional mainstay of livelihoods in Dolpa, aredeclining day by day; tourism in this area has not yetbeen developed; NTFP and MAPs, which do offersustainable livelihood opportunities are at presentnot well managed and the interventions by NMCPare, by the limited local possibilities, not adequate toaddress long term needs. NMCP has, however,learned many lessons and these lessons should bedeveloped and packaged, especially fordisadvantaged groups, to better protect thebiodiversity of this area as well as better protect thesustainable development and long term livelihoodsof the people who live there.
8.1 Landscape Level Approachfor Snow Leopard Conservation
The snow leopard is the flagship species of theNorthern Mountains, which encompasses Shey
Phoksumdo National Park (SPNP), Rara NationalPark (RNP) and Dhortapatan Hunting Reserve (DHR).Based on learnings and experience, snow leopardconservation needs to be expanded and scaled upthrough adopting a landscape level conservationapproach. A new conservation programme needs tobe designed to incorporate landscape levelconservation approaches and to address emergingconservation issues effectively. In doing so, snowleopard habitat should be modelled using GIS andcritical areas in terms of threats to snow leopard andits prey should be identified. NMCP's learnings andexperiences on the implementation of snow leopardconservation activities ranging from conflictmitigation to anti-poaching to community-basedmonitoring should be replicated in critical areas.
8.2 Safeguarding IndigenousKnowledge
PPI made great strides in safeguarding indigenousknowledge through its application on local heath caresystems and the two THCCs are very well thought of
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34in the community. In areas where Amchi medicineshas been traditionally practices, this can be replicated.For example in Mugu, Jumla, Humla, Mustang andGorkha applying ethnobotany through the Amchitraditions is a real possibility. This community basedmodel for medicinal plant conservation andmanagement, which links health care andconservation can also be looked at as a way to deliverhealth services in other remote areas of the countrywhich do not practice Amchi medicine. Linkingthrough either local medicine practices ie throughhealth posts, or through local practices, such asayurveda, shamanism or folk knowledge prevalentin the targeted area is a real possibility. It has beendemonstrated that involving local professionals, ieAmchis, in the programme has proved successfuland the formation of local community basedorganisations (CBOs) such as Sister Groups, THCCManagement Committees etc has proved effectivefor programme delivery.
To date there is also no formal recognition of Amchihealth care by the Ministry of Health, and this is anarea where future lobbying could take place. Currentlyit is not possible to have a school dedicated to thestudy of Amchi medicine which does not include thenormal Nepali school curriculum. This makes itdifficult for younger students as they have to studyboth regular subjects as well as Amchi, making ithard for them to succeed in either. This is also anarea that can be explored.
8.3 Linking Conservation withReligion
It has been demonstrated in many countries thatlinking conservation with religion is one way toensure local communities pay special attention tolessons regarding preservation of their surroundingbiodiversity. This has been seen in the NMCP wherelamas have actively been involved in spreading theconservation message. The fact the majority ofpeople in Dolpa are Buddhist and follow a philosophyof doing no harm to any living thing, certainly provedbeneficial regarding species conservation. Althoughnot a main objective of the NMCP this is an area whichshould be looked at more closely and can be appliedto all WWF programmes in the future.
8.4 Integrating Population, Healthand Environment in ConservationPractices
There are now female Amchis based at the THCCswhich have greatly helped women with reproductivehealth issues and pregnancies. However, there is stilla rate9 of mother and child mortality which is abovethe average for the country. No studies have beendone on this and this is one area in which futureprogrammes could have a huge impact.
WWF is currently implementing the Population,Health and Environment (PHE) Programme in theTerai with funding support from USAID. Replicationof best practices, successes and lessons learned inimplementation of PHE can help improve women'shealth and at the same time deliver results inconservation by integrating population and health inconservation initiatives in Dolpa.
"More women and babies are dying today becauseof changes in traditions. Diet is different now thatprocessed foods are coming from China and clothinghas also changed from the traditional warmsheepskin to man-made fabrics. People are thereforegetting more cold and not getting the goodness theyshould from their diet. Added to this is the normalgynaecological shyness uneducated women feeland the distances they have to cross to find medicalhelp. In most cases it is just not possible to crosshigh, snow bound passes to get to even this THCC,never mind the hospital at Dunai,"Amchi Namgyal Lama, Phoksundo THCC.Amchi Namgyal Lama, Phoksundo THCC.Amchi Namgyal Lama, Phoksundo THCC.Amchi Namgyal Lama, Phoksundo THCC.Amchi Namgyal Lama, Phoksundo THCC.
9 No figures are available but based on talks with the THCC Amchis there is around a 50% death rate of both mother and baby.
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8.5 NTFP
There is very large prospect of livelihoodsenhancement through promotion of non-timberforest products (NTFPs) and medicinal plants basedenterprises. However, in order to ensure sustainableextraction of such resources they must be regulatedand managed. At the same time, the marketing ofNTFP needs to be strengthened. One way could bethrough conducting an inventory of NTFP in the areato give farmers a chance to take up this option.Marketing possibilities also need to be assessed.Furthermore, WWF can facilitate developingappropriate policy and its implementation at groundlevel through formulation and strengthening locallevel arrangements.
8.6 Alternative Energy
The use of hydro power and solar lighting has proveda most positive impact on the daily lives of the localcommunities in relation to the conservation offorests. However, some work remains to be done interms of solar lighting. Locals have been taught howto make distilled water necessary to keep the batteryoperational but the batteries themselves have a shelvelife of five year. After this time there is the question
of where to dispose of them and where to obtainnew batteries. The idea of a collection centre for usedand new batteries has been put forward. While thiscertainly will meet the needs of the people in Dolpathere is perhaps room to research what otherdevelopment organisations and private organisationsare doing to address this problem. Currently asubstantial number of villages, some in very remoteareas throughout the country have been providedwith solar lighting. Whether GLAs and developmentagencies have investigated the long term impact ofbatteries on the environment needs to be assessedand some sustainable, cost-effective solution found.
8.7 Tourism
Upper Dolpo is still restricted for general tourists andthose tourists who do come, have to pay high permitfees to the Ministry of Home. This fee is not countedas park revenue and is not shared with the bufferzone communities. Therefore, people of Dolpa needsto be organized and capacitated for lobbying fornecessary policy change to obtain a share of suchrevenues for their development. Institutions such asporter associations could be formed and mobilized.Currently porters and food are brought in by anytrekking groups. Problems of finding local porters
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36at the appropriate time could be addressed byforming such an association. There is a large scopefor eco tourism but the circle needs to be broken -the infrastructure needs to be in place before moretourists will come and locals need to see that thereis scope for livelihood improvement through asufficient number of tourist arrivals before theybecome interested. The development of conservationtourism ie leopard trails, winter tourism, fairs,helicopter flights etc could be taken up with theTourism Board, travel agents and relevantgovernment departments.
8.8 Climate Change
Linkages between climate change and livelihoods isbecoming an important worldwide issue. Climatechange awareness classes have been provided butit is hard to suggest ways in which local communitiescan adapt to or slow down change. In Dolpa the mostpressing question is whether Yarsagumba will beaffected by climate change. In future, scientificstudies are necessary to assess impact of climatechange in micro-ecosystems such as alpinemeadows. Studies can be done to see ways in whichpeople can adapt their livelihood patterns, such asgrazing times, harvesting times and species plantingin light of climatic changes.
8.9 Strengthen Trans-boundaryCooperation at the Local Level
The people of Upper Dolpa largely depended on Tibetfor trade, a supply of goods for daily sustenance,and for grazing. Likewise, cross border illegal tradein wildlife parts and medicinal plants also exists.Therefore, there is a strong need of strengtheningtrans-boundary cooperation between the local levelgovernment agencies and the communities of Tibetand Dolpa District to discuss conditions pertainingto conservation and local livelihoods.
8.10 Linkages
More linkages should be formed with otherorganisations such as RONSAT, IUCN, ICIMOD, TUand ministerial level committees to review andstrengthen the status of ethnobotany in Nepal.
8.11 Policy and Best Practices
Much work still remains to be done in terms ofhelping the government strengthen its policies toprotect the forests and species of the country. Directlyadvocating and demonstrating best practices to theParliamentary Committee through study tours andinteraction meetings may be possible.
Holy site Samling Monastery, Vijer
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37Donors9List of Donors
USAID
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Finland
WWF-UK
WWF-Finland
WWF-US
WWF-Germany
Kadoorie Agriculture Aid Agency
SNV Nepal
Mr. S. Rankin
CARE Nepal
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39Finance10Northern Mountains Conservation Project
Consolidated project expenditure statementsPeriod: 1996-2008
Fiscal Year1996/971997/981998/991999/002000/012001/022002/032003/042004/052005/062006/072007/08Total
Budgeted Expenditure Remaks1,683,7682,051,4773,888,1917,999,470
11,656,26016,074,70417,589,02516,413,19813,937,4347,127,246
27,132,60521,863,255
147,416,632
Amount in NRs
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41NMCP and WWF's GuidingPrinciples11
• Be global, independent, multicultural and non party political
NMCP works at all levels, from grassroots to national, irrespective of caste, religion, nationality, gender orethnic group. It is not aligned to any political group or party.
• Use the best available scientific information to address issues and critically evaluate all its endeavours.
The NMCP works with specialists, scientists, consultants and local experts through all stages of its inceptionand implementation.
• Seek dialogue and avoid unnecessary confrontation
The NMCP listens to people at all levels, seeking their advice, expertise and feedback. Through our NGOpartners such as FECOFUN and RIMS we involve users, women and marginalized groups as the norm. Weuse a "do no harm" policy to avoid confrontation and imbalance.
• Build concrete conservation solutions through a combination of field based programmes, policy initiatives,capacity building and education work.
The main aim of NMCP is to facilitate local communities to take control and management of their naturalresources through capacity building, awareness raising, education and other initiatives.
• Involve local communities and indigenous peoples in the planning and execution of its field programmes,respecting their cultural and well as economic needs.
NMCP works closely with local communities, Lamas, Amchis, women, Dalits, the poor and other marginalized Janajatigroups, involving them in every aspect of the programme. Through our work to improve their lives and livelihoodsthrough both traditional (NTFP and MAPs) and innovative (solar power, hydro power) methods we are staying true tothe culture of the area as well as recognising their economic needs.
• Strive to build partnerships with other organisations, governments, business and local communities toenhance WWF's effectiveness.
The NMCP is implemented in conjunction with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and throughpartners who have lines of communication from grassroots directly through advocacy procedure, to national governmentlevel. Working with respected members of the community, for example, Buddhist Lama's, we can implement ouractivities with more active participation from the community at large.
• Run its operations in a cost effective manner and apply donors' funds according to the highest standardsof accountability.
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43Bibliography
All works consulted, unless otherwise stated, are WWF Nepal Programme Reports from 1996 to 2008.
Publication Credits
Text Compilation:Jackie Taylor
Editor:Jackie Taylor
Designed at:Digi Scan Pre-press Pvt. Ltd, Naxal
Printed at:Format Printing Press, Hadigaun
Photo Credits:Tom KellyGautam Paudyal/WWF NepalWWF Nepal
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Department of National Parks and Wildlife ConservationPO Box 860, Babar Mahal, Kathmandu, NepalTel: 977-1-4220912Fax: 977-1-4227655Email: [email protected]: www.dnpwc.gov.np
WWF NepalPO Box 7660, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 977-1-4434820Fax: 977-1-4438458
Email: [email protected]: www.wwfnepal.org
