Annual Report 2020 Contents

NEPAL

ANNUAL REPORT 2020 CONTENTS

MESSAGE 3 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR (FY 2019-2020) 4 WILDLIFE 7 FORESTS 13 CLIMATE & ENERGY 19 FRESHWATER 23 GOVERNANCE 27 COMMUNICATIONS & EDUCATION 31 TEN YEARS OF HARIYO BAN PROGRAM 34 FINANCIAL SUMMARY 42 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 43

Any reproduction of this publication in full or in part must mention the title and credit WWF.

Published by: WWF Nepal PO Box: 7660 Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal T: +977 1 4434820, F: +977 1 4438458 [email protected], www.wwfnepal.org

Cover photo: ©WWF Nepal Designed by: Kazi Studios

©Emmanuel Rondeau/WWF-US ABOUT WWF NEPAL

From its origins as a small group of committed wildlife enthusiasts, WWF has grown into one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, active in over 100 countries. Over this time, WWF’s focus has evolved from localized efforts in favor of a single species and individual habitats to an ambitious strategy to preserve biodiversity and achieve sustainable development across the globe.

WWF first started working in Nepal in 1967 through a rhino conservation program in Chitwan, however the WWF Nepal office was formally established only in 1993. WWF’s work in Nepal is centered on five thematic goals – forests, wildlife, freshwater, climate & energy and governance across the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL), Sacred Himalayan Landscape (SHL), Chitwan Annapurna Landscape (CHAL) and National Conservation Priority Areas (NCPA). The effective delivery of conservation results under the five thematic areas are supported by crosscutting programs on sustainable livelihoods, monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management, communications and conservation education.

At WWF, we firmly believe people and nature are inextricably linked. Through the years, WWF Nepal has progressed towards a landscape approach that prioritizes community-based conservation as the foundation for a sustainable future, benefiting approximately 2.1 million people.

Guided by the Government of Nepal’s priorities for biodiversity conservation, WWF Nepal works closely with the Ministry of Forests and Environment through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and Department of Forests and Soil Conservation. Besides the national priority areas,

WWF Nepal also works in conservationDedicated mothers: issues tigresses of regional raise their andcubs ©Emmanuel Rondeau/WWF-US transboundary importance.alone, protecting them from predators and teaching them how to hunt.

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 1 COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE MESSAGE Nepal is not immune to the challenges of conservation, but the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded these challenges at a global scale. While the past year has been a difficult one, there have also been defining moments–of joy, togetherness and innovation–demonstrative of the spirit of together possible.

This past year, Nepal made history by satellite collaring two Whereas under the Freshwater practice Nepal embarks on snow leopards in its Western Himalayan Landscape with its first ever assessment of Power System Pathways and High©WWF vital support from local citizen scientists. This was shortly Conservation Value Rivers. Significant progress has also been followed by the discovery of Nepal’s first High Altitude made under WWF Nepal’s newly established Governance Tiger, paving the way for close transboundary partnerships practice with the proposed development of 14 dedicated in conserving these critical flagship species. Over the past wildlife crossing structures and a pilot of five canopy bridges decade, WWF Nepal has been actively working to restore in Banke National Park. Additionally, 17 municipalities were herbivore assemblages in their historical ranges, finally also supported in the drafting of Environmental and Natural succeeding in establishing a second viable population Resource Conservation Acts and 253 marginalized right of blackbucks in Shuklaphanta National Park this year. holders and duty bearers capacitated. Meanwhile, in a first for South Asia, Nepal also hosted the World Ranger Congress with the largest ever gathering Despite the challenges faced, this year we reaffirmed and of rangers and culminating in the signing of the Chitwan showcased how government commitment, community Declaration. stewardship and strong partnerships can propel Nepal towards greater heights in conservation. These achievements Meanwhile our initiatives in forestry sector helped bring are but tiny steps forward in a long and arduous journey 42,959 hectares of forests under improved management, towards a future in which humans can live in harmony with benefiting 25,539 forest dependent households through nature, and the time for transformative action is now. The WWF supported livelihood diversification measures and challenge we face today is indicative of the delicate balance forest-based enterprises. Under the climate and energy we must maintain with nature, and we stand at a pivotal practice, WWF Nepal added 427,265 tons of carbon moment in history with the opportunity to reverse damages emission reductions through the second crediting period and build a safer future - for people and the planet. of Phase I of Nepal’s Gold Standard VER Project, bringing the total emission reductions to 952,889 tons. This year, we’ve also taken steps to reflect environmental goals at

an operational level with WWF Nepal making significant Dr. Ghana S Gurung headway in moving towards carbon neutrality. Country Representative

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 3 FLAGSHIP TIGER PUBLICATION SATELLITE TELEMETRY SCOPE OF COOPERATION LAUNCHED - THE X FACTOR: NEPAL’S IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINE BETWEEN MINISTRY OF FORESTS JOURNEY TO TX2 APPROVED BY MINISTRY OF FORESTS AND ENVIRONMENT AND WWF AND ENVIRONMENT NEPAL REVISED TO ESTABLISH ASSESSMENT OF POWER SYSTEM STATE LEVEL COORDINATION HIGHLIGHTS PATHWAYS AND HIGH CONSERVATION MECHANISM FOR PROGRAM VALUE RIVERS INITIATED FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL IMPLEMENTATION FIRST TIME IN NEPAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION ACT (ENRCA) FRAMEWORK APPROVED BY OF THE YEAR 150+ TEACHERS TRAINED ON MINISTRY OF FEDERAL AFFAIRS AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATION GREEN SCHOOL GUIDELINES AND 60 EARTH HOUR NEPAL MARKED ADDITIONAL ECO-CLUBS ESTABLISHED DIGITALLY WITH A DIGITAL REACH ACROSS SIX DISTRICTS OF 4.5 MILLION AND 9.2 MILLION IN SOCIAL MEDIA IMPRESSIONS

SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT JULY 2019 SEPTEMBER 2019 OCTOBER 2019 MANUAL PUBLISHED

MARCH 2020 NOVEMBER 2019 DECEMBER 2019 JANUARY 2020

NATIONAL LEVEL ECOSYSTEM APRIL 2020 9TH WORLD RANGER CONGRESS ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL AND FOREST TYPES MAPPING SUCCESSFULLY HELD IN CHITWAN (AND IN SAFEGUARDS FRAMEWORK FOR INITIATED IN THE COUNTRY TIGER SIGHTED AT RECORD HIGH ASIA) FOR THE FIRST TIME TERAI ARC LANDSCAPE SCREENED AND ALTITUDE OF ~2500M IN WESTERN, NEPAL APPROVED NATIONAL RIVER BASIN STRATEGY TWO SNOW LEOPARDS SUCCESSFULLY AND ACTION PLAN INITIATED SATELLITE COLLARED FOR THE FIRST FIRST NATIONAL PARK WIDE SNOW COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS SUPPORT TIME IN SHEY PHOKSUNDO NATIONAL LEOPARD CAMERA TRAP SURVEY EXTENDED TO 20 PROTECTED AREAS PARK IN NEPAL'S WESTERN HIMALAYAN CONDUCTED IN SHEY PHOKSUNDO AND 44 DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICES LANDSCAPE NATIONAL PARK FEBRUARY 2020 WILDLIFE DAMAGE INSURANCE MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, SECOND VIABLE ZERO POACHING OF RHINOS ACHIEVED MECHANISM SUCCESSFULLY PILOTED GOLD STANDARD VERIFIED EMISSION TOURISM, FOREST AND POPULATION OF ON SEVEN OCCASIONS (2011-2020) UNDER A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP REDUCTION SALE AND PURCHASE ENVIRONMENT, ADOPTS BLACKBUCKS MODEL IN A BUFFER ZONE OF CHITWAN AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH MYCLIMATE THE KARNALI PROVINCE ESTABLISHED IN NATIONAL PARK TOURISM MASTER PLAN SHUKLAPHANTA AND FEASIBILITY STUDY NATIONAL PARK OF TOURISM ROUTES

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 5 WILDLIFE

NEPAL’S FIRST HIGH ALTITUDE TIGER RECORDED AT ~2500M

7 OCCASIONS OF ZERO POACHING FOR NEPAL’S RHINOS

140,635+ HOUSEHOLDS BENEFITED FROM HABITAT AND CORRIDOR EFFORTS

6 SNOW LEOPARDS SUCCESSFULLY SATELLITE

©DNPWC/WWF Nepal COLLARED (1993-2020)

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 7 HIGH ALTITUDE TIGER A tiger was sighted at a record high altitude of ~2500m in the forests of Dadeldhura, beyond Nepal’s known tiger distribution range in the Terai Arc Landscape. The finding validates former studies and qualifies Nepal as a high- altitude tiger habitat site. This opens up possibilities of a contiguous habitat for tigers spanning the transboundary landscape - from the Churia forest range in Nepal, to the Boom, Danda and Champawat forest ranges in India. The finding also opens avenues for research on the relatively understudied Mahabharata range and understanding on tiger’s use of such high-altitude habitats, widens opportunities for strengthened transboundary conservation and provides a safe dispersal pathway between protected areas.

©DNPWC/WWF Nepal

ENCOUNTERING THE ELUSIVE IMPROVING CRITICAL HABITATS

Two male snow leopards were sucessfully GPS collared in Approximately 3,000 ha of critical habitats – grasslands, Shey Phoksundo National Park (SPNP), Dolpa on 16 and riverine, pasturelands, refugia, wetlands – were protected, 18 November 2019 making them the first satellite collared managed and restored this fiscal year across WWF Nepal’s snow leopards in Nepal’s Western Himalayan Landscape working landscapes through removal of invasive species (WHL). Captured at 4171m, the first snow leopard weighing and woody perennials, grassland management, ensuring 38 kgs was named Zeborong, while the second captured at access to pasturelands and construction of 28 wetlands. 3885m and weighing 33 kgs was named Samling. WHL is These critical habitats are expected to show improved a priority landscape, with SPNP having the largest snow biophysical conditions such as regeneration, crown cover, leopard density in Nepal and a prime population source for reduced invasive coverage and increased population of focal interconnected protected areas. The data generated from species and herbivore populations. The increased habitat these collars will be crucial in understanding the spatial occupancy for tigers in Terai Arc Landscape (~47% against ecology of snow leopards while also bridging existing 2009 baseline) is a proxy indicator that reflects improved information gaps in this landscape. Snow leopard and prey biophysical conditions in the landscape. Meanwhile over base monitoring were also undertaken in the Central Snow 500 ha of degraded forest patches were fenced to restore Leopard Landscape covering the Annapurna-Manaslu connectivity between core areas and buffer zones, over 366 Conservation Area, and showing a predictive density of households supported with improved livestock sheds in line 0.1-1.9 individuals per 100 sq.km, an increasing trend in with integrated grazing management principles, and 679 Himalayan thar populations (+1012) and a declining trend households supported in livelihood diversification through in blue sheep populations (-181) compared to the 2014 income generation activities such as farming, dairy, fish baseline. enterprises and skill-based trainings.

©DOFSC/WWF Nepal

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 9 Poaching Unit members and 400+ forest guards mobilized ZERO TOLERANCE FOR WILDLIFE CRIMES and oriented on relevant acts, policies and guidelines. For the seventh time since 2011, Nepal achieved another Various awareness programs on illegal wildlife trade were also 365 days of zero poaching of rhinos. Continued enforcement undertaken through musical public service announcements, efforts this fiscal year led to 250 arrests and 269 seizures cautionary signages at airports and major trade routes, and of illegal wildlife parts, 21% of which were endangered trainings for conventional and non-conventional partners. species. Meanwhile, enhanced monitoring and patrol of protected areas and buffer zones supported by conservation technologies such as Real-Time SMART patrolling, CCTV POST PANDEMIC RESPONSE park surveillance, and Joint Operation Cells replicated in Banke, Bardia and Shuklaphanta National Parks, helped With a spike in forest related crimes during the COVID-19 secure ~1 million km across seven prime tiger habitats. pandemic, WWF Nepal focused on ensuring the health, Anti-trafficking networks were also extended through the safety and security of frontline conservation personnel and formation and capacity building of 26 Wildlife Crime Control communities through the provision of essential health and Bureau’s in 28 strategically important districts. Whereas, medical supplies to 20 Protected Areas, 14 Nepal Army units 2000+ people were capacitated in wildlife monitoring, deployed in Protected Areas, 44 Divisional Forest Offices, 7 technology handling, wildlife crime control, investigation province level Ministries of Industry, Tourism, Forests and and prosecution, and 2200+ Community Based Anti- Environment and 7 province directorates across the country.

©Karun Dewan/WWF Nepal

MANAGING HUMAN WILDLIFE CONFLICT MAINTAINING HERBIVORE ASSEMBLAGES

In another first, WWF Nepal successfully piloted a Wildlife Considering the risk of epidemic disease or stochastic events Damage Insurance (WDI) scheme leveraging resources from that could wipe out single populations, WWF Nepal has been the local government in the high conflict buffer zone area supporting an ambitious plan to establish a second viable of Mirgakunja, Chitwan National Park under the USAID population of rhinos (50+) in the western Terai through funded Hariyo Ban Program. This fiscal year saw a decrease translocations from Chitwan National Park to Bardia and in human wildlife conflict (HWC) across WWF Nepal’s Shuklaphanta National Parks (BNP 8, ShNP 5). With current intervention sites. Continued support for preventive and populations estimated at 51 (BNP-34, ShNP 17) efforts are curative measures such as predator proof corrals, mesh, well on track to bring back the species to their historical barbed and electric wire fences, plantation of unpalatable ranges. Likewise, monitoring of reintroduced blackbuck crops, scaling up of livestock insurance schemes, and populations in ShNP indicate that numbers have more than sensitization programs at community and policy levels on doubled from 28 in 2012 to 112 in FY20, succeeding in creating national wildlife damage relief guidelines are major reasons a viable population of blackbucks in ShNP. Meanwhile, the behind this decline. Meanwhile active mobilization and presence of a F2 generation and recruitment of three calves support of rapid response teams (RRT) in proactive response into the population of wild water buffaloes this fiscal year is to HWC incidences resulted in the rescue of 80 animals also indicative of habitat suitability despite unpredictable in Bardia National Park. WWF Nepal also continued its stochastic events, such as floods. educational support for children affected by HWC providing over 80 scholarships this year as well as establishing a HWC

©WWF Nepal/Prasiit Sthapit Scholarship Endowment Fund of NRs. 0.5 million in the Rewa buffer zone of Chitwan National Park.

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 11 FORESTS

29,000+ HECTARES OF FORESTS RESTORED

452,000+ HECTARES OF FORESTS UNDER COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT

67,000+ FOREST DEPENDENT HOUSEHOLDS BENEFITED FROM ALTERNATE LIVELIHOOD OPTIONS

3500+ HECTARES OF FORESTS UNDER SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT REGIME © WWF Nepal (1993-2020)

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 13 COMMUNITY BASED FOREST MANAGEMENT SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT

Through the community-based forest management Forests under sustainable forest management (SFM) approach, 42,959 ha of forests were brought under increased from 2,725 ha to 3,533 ha this fiscal year FOREST PROTECTION improved management; benefiting 25,539 forest dependent across Laljhadi-Mohana and Karnali corridors of the households. Nepal’s community forestry program is a Terai Arc Landscape, generating 350,456 person-hours 131,253 ha of forests were effectively protected through strengthened protected unique conservation model that successfully brings local of employment, and sustainable harvest of 4,056 m3 of people to the forefront of conservation through transfer of timber; equivalent to USD 1 million. Under this model, forest management systems while ensuring a balance between human needs and use rights of forest resources from the government. This present optimum yield is regulated with due consideration safeguarding of the environment. Forest protection initiatives this fiscal year fiscal year, 144 Forest Operation Plans (FOPs) were revised for sustainable forest regeneration while also ensuring with the objective of empowering marginalized groups, economic benefits to society. A resource book titled focused on reducing threats and drivers of deforestation and forest degradation ensuring meaningful participation and equitable benefit “Sustainable Forest Management” was also published, sharing within community forest user groups, as well as aiming to enhance knowledge and practice of SFM on the through three key interventions - construction and maintenance of forest roads to guaranteeing forest management prescriptions focused ground, benefiting forest technicians, user groups, local curb forest fires, building community awareness and capacities, integrated grazing on silvicultural operations and capacity development. resource persons and other stakeholders. WWF Nepal also Likewise, 318 FOPs were implemented across WWF Nepal’s supported the development of forest management plans for management, and boosting monitoring and patrol efforts to check illicit activities working landscapes and 877 forest users provided trainings two community forests incorporating SFM principles and - in three key protected forest sites of Laljhadi-Mohana, Khata and Barandabar. on forest and natural resource management. implementation of 10 community forest management plans.

©WWF Nepal/Rocky Prajapat

©Emmanuel Rondeau/WWF-US © Simon de Trey White/ WWF UK

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 15 CONSERVATION PAYBACK FORESTRY GOVERNANCE

25,539 forest dependent households benefited from Following Nepal’s federal restructuring, 74 District Forest livelihood diversification support this fiscal year. WWF Offices were transformed into 84 Divisional Forest Offices. Nepal continues to support an assortment of forest based WWF Nepal provided institutional support to seven of enterprises ranging from sawmill and furniture enterprises these offices with an objective of enhancing protection and to non-timber forest products, high value agricultural management of forests and improving service delivery. The products such as leaf plates, broom grass, nettle, mushroom, Government of Nepal’s Forest Act of 2019 addresses the citrus, chamomile, coffee, tea and chilly, as well as livestock restructuring of the forestry sector, and a Forest Regulation and ecotourism enterprises. These initiatives are aimed at for implementation of the forest act has consequently been safeguarding and improving livelihoods of forest dependent drafted. WWF Nepal supported the Department of Forests communities through livelihood diversification while and Soil Conservation by facilitating consultations with legal also contributing to reduced deforestation and forest experts, relevant authorities and stakeholders. The Forest degradation. Entrepreneurship and skill-based trainings Regulation now awaits endorsement from the government. were also provided to 114 forest dependent individuals and Meanwhile, state level coordination committees were 58 community-based homestays. Meanwhile in a first, the formed in four states, in a bid to formalize engagement with state of Karnali also developed a ten-year Tourism Master state governments and facilitate implementation of WWF Plan supported by WWF Nepal, integrating nature-based funded programs outside the protected area system. tourism strategies.

©Muna Thapa/WWF Nepal

RESTORING FORESTS

5,210 ha of degraded forests were effectively restored this fiscal year across WWF Nepal’s priority working landscapes through various restoration initiatives, ranging from upgrading of multipurpose forest nurseries in critical corridors, to construction of fences to protect plantations and facilitate natural regeneration. Meanwhile, forest landscape restoration through agroforestry and private forestry initiatives were also promoted in various landscape segments to regain ecological functionality. WWF Nepal also supported the government’s ‘National Plantation Year’ campaign, aimed at promoting trees outside forests with 327,154 seedlings planted this fiscal year. WWF Nepal also provided support in the mapping of Nepal’s forest and ecosystem types as a member of the government's Technical Working Group, a study last conducted in 1972.

©Shayasta Tuladhar/WWF Nepal ©WWF Nepal/Rocky Prajapati

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 17 CLIMATE & ENERGY

71,200+ HOUSEHOLDS BENEFITED FROM ALTERNATE ENERGY OPTIONS

26,200+ UNITS OF BIOGAS INSTALLED

~950,000+ TONS OF CO2 SEQUESTERED

127,900+ HOUSEHOLDS BENEFITED FROM CLIMATE

©WWF Nepal/Samir Jung Thapa ADAPTATION ACTIONS (1993-2020)

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 19 poly houses, forest fire management activities, restoration CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION of flood plains, and protection of local livelihoods and 6,645 climate vulnerable people living within the critical assets from floods and landslides through bioengineering SUPPORTING NATIONAL corridors of Laljhadi-Mohana, Khata, Karnali and measures. Community Forest User Groups (CFUG) were Brahmadev benefited from various adaptation actions this also supported with firefighting equipment and safety kits fiscal year. WWF Nepal supported the implementation of to manage incidences of fire, and awareness programs on Integrated Sub-Watershed Management Plans (ISWMP) forest fires, conducted around critical sites. Various CFUG in two sub-watersheds of the Brahmadev corridor through capacity building programs on integration of climate change CLIMATE AMBITIONS adaptation actions such as maintenance and upgrading of adaptation and disaster risk reduction into forest operation small-scale irrigation canals, climate adaptive vegetable plans, exposure visits and trainings were also conducted In a bid to enhance the country’s engagement and meet international commitments farming, construction of water storage ponds for farming, this fiscal year. in global climate platforms, as well as access multilateral funds, WWF Nepal continued its support to key government and civil society stakeholders. In 2016, the government of Nepal communicated 14 commitments in its Nationally Determined Contributions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. WWF Nepal supported three key areas this fiscal year – accessing international funding to promote national climate actions; promoting clean and renewable energy to reduce dependency on fuelwood and forests; and providing technical inputs for the National Adaptation Plan process through thematic working groups. WWF Nepal’s support has been pivotal in government efforts to access funding from the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) Fund, the Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF) under the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF). ©Karine Aigner/WWF-US

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PROMOTION (ERPA) signed between MyClimate and the Biogas Sector Partnership (BSP) in December 2019, an approximate of Fuelwood dependency has proven to be a persistent issue Euro 1.3 million will be available from the sale of carbon across Nepal with far reaching impacts on the natural credits to be further leveraged for construction of additional environment. Over the last decade, WWF Nepal has been biogas plants. working to tackle this through a series of interventions that seek to facilitate conversion to sustainable and renewable REDUCING CLIMATE VULNERABILITY THROUGH energy sources. This fiscal year, 246 households benefited through access to clean energy sources such as biogas, ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT improved cooking stoves and electric induction cookers across its working landscapes. This has had multiple social As part of the Integrated Sub-Watershed Management Plan benefits to communities; especially women, in the form of implementation in Radha sub-watershed, 600-meters of reduced exposure to indoor air pollution from firewood, barbed wire fencing were constructed to protect it from improved health, and reduced time spent on collecting open grazing and rehabilitate the land through plantation and cooking on firewood, while also reducing pressure on and regeneration. These forest areas have proven to be Nepal’s forests. a valuable buffer against floods during the monsoon. Likewise, barbed wire fencing has protected 215 ha of Meanwhile, Phase I of Nepal’s Gold Standard VER Project; degraded forest land in Karnali, Laljhadi-Mohana, Khata wherein 7,500 biogas plants were constructed between corridors and Fulbari-Dang area, whereas 50 ha of forests 2007-2011, has resulted in the issuance of emission reduction were maintained in the Karnali corridor through removal of certificates for its second crediting period (2014-2021) at an unwanted species and four conservation ponds constructed

emission reduction of 427,265 tons of CO2 equivalent till within the community forests for ground water recharge ©WWF Nepal 2019. As per the Emission Reduction Purchase Agreement and as a source of drinking water for wildlife.

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 21 FRESHWATER

204,300+ HECTARES OF CRITICAL WATERSHEDS UNDER IMPROVED MANAGEMENT

18,900+ HOUSEHOLDS WITH INCREASED ACCESS TO WATER RESOURCES

125,100+ HOUSEHOLDS BENEFITED FROM FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES

8 WETLANDS CERTIFIED AS RAMSAR SITES

©Karine Aigner/WWF-US (1993-2020)

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 23 MAINTAINING FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEM INTEGRITY RESTORING LAKE CLUSTER OF POKHARA Freshwater ecosystems are faced with varied threats such as over VALLEY HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE RIVERS fishing, aquatic invasive species, unmanaged sand and gravel mining, pollution, encroachment, siltation, ground water extraction, climate Under USAID’s Hariyo Ban Program, threat levels change and policy gaps that exacerbate impacts. WWF Nepal’s in six of the Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley’s Freshwater program therefore seeks to reduce these identified (LCPV) nine lakes (Khaste, Niureni, Maidi, Gunde, threats in seven critical freshwater habitats of Nepal. Internal Kamalpokhari and Phewa) were successfully assessments on existing threats in these habitats indicate an average reduced through the removal of aquatic invasive Under USAID’s PANI program, two workshops, Parallelly, a HCVR assessment of Nepal, threat score of 3.18 on a scale of 0 to 5 (5 representing the highest species, landslide stabilization, construction of System Scale Planning of Karnali basin level of threat). Investments in two critical habitats of Lake Cluster sediment traps, cultivation of perennial crops, five advisory group meetings and 18 stakeholder and Energy Options Assessment of of Pokhara Valley and Tiger Lake of Barandabar Corridor, both of construction of dykes and plantation around Nepal is also being undertaken. During which fall under Narayani basin have reduced threat levels, from lakes. Support was also extended towards lake- meetings were conducted with a focus on High this period, WWF Nepal has also been 3.18 in 2016 to 2.66 in 2020. Support for the restoration of Tiger based ecotourism services this fiscal year through Conservation Value Rivers (HCVR), to establish preparing different national scale Lake was also continued to increase water storage capacity through improvement of the Information Collection Center databases on the distribution of fish, removal of invasive species and sediment deposits, and construction and installation of visitor benches around the regulatory, institutional and political contexts for water birds, otters, dolphins, gharial, of dykes and outlet facilities which has reduced the danger of dam lakes of Kaste, Niureni and Gunde. Likewise, 20 important river reaches for tigers and outbursts. The lake provides essential ecosystem services in terms of bamboo boats were supported in Khaste, Gunde hydropower/water management and development rhinos, as well as rafting, kayaking, and flood protection, groundwater recharge, water for wildlife and more. and Maidi lakes to regularize lake cleaning and angling sites. provide better habitat for migratory birds, and in Nepal. 50,000 fingerlings of Rahu and Naini fish released in the lakes of Kamalpokhari, Gunde and Maidi.

INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT

42,784 ha of critical watersheds were improved through various management activities such as construction of check dams to control gully erosion, construction of embankments to check riverbank cutting, plantation of perennial crops to reduce soil erosion, construction of recharge ponds and protection of water sources. Meanwhile the Phewa Lake Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) fund; a market-based mechanism in which transaction of well-defined ecosystem services takes place voluntarily between service receiver and service provider, has helped bring the watershed under improved management, through landslide stabilization, gully control, recharge pond construction, removal of water hyacinth and livelihood diversification. The Phewa Watershed Ecosystem Management Board (PWEMB) supported by WWF Nepal through capacity building on management, best conservation practices, maintaining lake ecosystem health and services and sustainable financing for integrated lake basin management has played a major role in the lake’s improved conditions. An action research project on LCPV watersheds and spring sheds was also supported this fiscal year to identify recharge ©Karun Dewan/WWF Nepal zones for critical springs.

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 25 GOVERNANCE

14 DEDICATED WILDLIFE CROSSING STRUCTURES PROPOSED

5 CANOPY BRIDGES PILOTED IN BANKE NATIONAL PARK

17 MUNICIPALITIES SUPPORTED IN DRAFTING ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION ACTS

253 MARGINALIZED RIGHT HOLDERS AND DUTY BEARERS CAPACITATED © Pramod Neupane/WWF Nepal (2019-2020)

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 27 SUSTAINABLE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE MAINSTREAMING CONSERVATION AT WWF Nepal has been engaging intensively with diverse development LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL stakeholders over the last five years, with the objective of developing ecologically sound, climate resilient, socially inclusive and Since the national adoption of the federal WWF Nepal seeks to strengthen access to economically viable infrastructure. This fiscal year, 14 dedicated structure, WWF Nepal has been committed TOWARDS natural resource and support equitable wildlife crossing zones were proposed and approved along the 115 towards developing an enabling environment for km Narayanghat-Butwal road section to safeguard wildlife dispersal formulation of environment friendly development benefit sharing mechanisms for Indigenous in Chitwan National Park and its buffer zones. WWF Nepal also policies at the local, state and federal levels. In line with this, various workshops, capacity building Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) conducted studies on the effectiveness of canopy bridges for arboreal SOCIALLY animals in Banke National Park, an assessment of large infrastructure trainings, field study tours, and meetings were by creating inclusive, transparent, in corridor complexes of Terai Arc Landscape and rolled out the held with parliamentarians, government officials Green Road Engineering Training Manual in two districts; Gorkha and other stakeholders on topics of biodiversity accountable, and participatory governance and Kaski. Various knowledge exchange programs, workshops and conservation, integrated watershed management, meetings were also held with key government stakeholders, to enhance environmentally friendly infrastructure, green INCLUSIVE mechanisms for sustainable management coordination, awareness and action on sustainable infrastructure road engineering, climate resilient development, of natural resources. development practices. environmental justice, and more. The outcomes of these programs are evident in the reflection of these issues in Environment Protection Acts, and CONSERVATION As such, a national level guideline on Free, Prior and Informed regulations and guidelines at national, provincial Consent (FPIC) was drafted this fiscal year under the ownership and local levels. WWF Nepal also supported the of National Foundation for Development of Indigenous formulation of the Environment and Natural Nationalities (NFDIN) and is currently awaiting endorsement by Resources Conservation Act (ENRCA) for 17 NFDIN’s executive board to ensure validity at the national level. selected local governments, to be replicated This guideline will be critical in safeguarding the rights of IPLCs by other local governments as per the Local in any conservation and development projects at the national, Governance and Operation Act, 2017. Support provincial and local levels. WWF Nepal also collaborated with was also extended to the Ministry of Industry the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Tourism Forest and Environment, in developing in institutionalizing social issues into conservation practices a ten-year Tourism Master Plan, integrating within protected areas through a session on human rights during nature-based tourism strategies, as well as a the Annual Park Warden and Buffer Zone Committee Meeting. feasibility study of tourism routes for the province of Karnali to determine low-impact and high-gain ©DoFSC/WWF Nepal Likewise, the Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF) was also institutionalized at the landscape level. tourism routes.

MAINSTREAMING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

With the objective of localizing environment related Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6, 7, 13, 15), WWF Nepal has been providing technical expertise to capacitate state and non-state actors in reporting environment related sustainable development goals. Progress on environmental SDGs mainly 6, 13, and 15 have consequently been incorporated into the Voluntary National Review (VNR) report by Nepali civil society organizations and submitted to the National Planning Commission. WWF Nepal also played a vital role, providing technical and financial support to prepare civil society organizations in developing a national report for the Sustainable Development Goals-Voluntary National Review 2020. ©Pramod Neupane/WWF Nepal ©Pramod Neupane/WWF Nepal

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 29 COMMUNICATIONS & EDUCATION

10+ MILLION DIGITAL REACH

12+ MILLION DIGITAL IMPRESSIONS

118,000+ DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT

145+ MEDIA MENTIONS

©Ranjan Ramchandani (FY 2019 - 2020)

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 31 WORLD RANGER CONGRESS Organized by International Ranger Federation (IRF), hosted by the Government of Nepal and supported by WWF, the 9th World Ranger Congress was successfully held in Chitwan, Nepal this fiscal year. The event was an unprecedented success with the largest gathering of rangers ever; over 700+ participants from over 70 countries; and the first to be held in Asia.

Nepal was selected due to its excellence in anti-poaching, its ranger associations, use of technology—and culminated with conservation record of zero poaching of rhinos on multiple the signing of the Chitwan Declaration which aims to enable include 230 schools and 460 students across 14 districts occasions, and the almost doubling of tiger numbers as part of and advocate for better training and support for rangers, EARTH HOUR under WWF Nepal’s conservation education program. the global TX2 goal. The congress focused on key issues facing improve opportunities and working conditions across the Amidst the global COVID-19 health crisis, Earth Hour Ghataraj Memorial School emerged the proud winner of the rangers including—ranger welfare, collaboration with local sector and with local communities, along with a greater Nepal was marked digitally for the first time ever, through Nepal edition, representing the country in the international communities, employment of indigenous rangers, ranger recognition of the critical value and professionalization of the Nepal’s Voice for the Planet; a global campaign demanding finale held in New Delhi, India and securing third place capacity, gender balance in the ranger workforce, role of ranger workforce. urgent climate action from world leaders. Without being among the six participating countries. 150+ teachers were geographically bound to Kathmandu, Earth Hour Nepal saw also trained on Green School Guidelines and 60 additional people from all over the country virtually unite to raise their eco clubs established across six districts this fiscal year. With voice for the environment. The event featured brief sessions schools across the nation coming to a standstill following led by change agents, performances by conservationists and the COVID-19 pandemic, WWF Nepal partner schools were several others who shared their messages, through art, music provided trainings on digital learning, attended by over 198 and photography, on the growing need to protect nature teachers across WWF Nepal’s working areas. Additionally, 12 and spread hope for the planet. The digital event drew an eco activities were curated, based on the forest, freshwater, overwhelming participation, garnering a digital reach of wildlife and climate practices to promote stay-at-home over 4.5 million and 9.2 million in social media impressions learning paradigms for children. throughout the month long campaign.

YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAMS

INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN DAY WWF Nepal partnered with Idea Studio, Season 4 to On International Mountain Day, WWF Nepal organized implement its Greenovation Program that seeks to an interactive story telling session at the Kathmandu nurture and transform sustainable and innovative green International Film Festival (KIMFF) seeking to raise entrepreneurship ideas into tangible green businesses awareness among urban youth on snow leopards and while bringing together a unique consortium of public and conservation efforts targeted towards these elusive species. private sector institutions. The program received over 500 Helmed by three local conservationists who between them applicants in the College and National Idea Hunt program had over three decades of experience, the event took the and garnered instant interest across the digital spectrum. audience behind the scenes showcasing the realities of 33 ideators were then trained and mentored in the National living with snow leopards, working in their habitats and Incubation Center, following which five businesses were the science behind it all. Over 300 individuals participated; awarded seed funding in four categories - High Flying, Made more than 80% of whom were youth. in Nepal, Social Impact, and Greenovation. Meanwhile, following the COVID-19 pandemic, WWF Nepal digitally marked the 25th celebration of National Wildlife Week through public learning sessions with leading experts SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAMS from WWF Nepal, on topics ranging from tiger behavior to rhino conservation and community leadership. Similarly, The Wild Wisdom Quiz; Asia’s biggest wildlife quiz that seeks World Environment Day was celebrated digitally with the to raise awareness among youth on the values of biodiversity ©WWF Nepal/Karkhana youth led video campaign themed “Green Warriors”. and wildlife conservation was scaled up this fiscal year to

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 33 16 Forest Based Enterprises - Nettle Powder, Bel Herbivore Assemblage Juice, etc. 8 Rhinos 15 Wild Water Buffaloes 26 42 Blackbucks Agri Based Enterprises 7 Swamp Deer - Coffee, Dairy, Cardamom, etc. BI 7 Occasions Hec O tare D of Zero Rhino Poaching s o IV For f G E (2011 to 2020) 36 est ra R s ss Off Farm Based a la S na n I Enterprises- Wool- g ds T ed , Y 235 Tigers weaving, Homestays, etc. a W d n e from 198 in 2013 D ishe d t 10 YEARS OF bl I la O ta m n O Es 7 d p H s 5 s I se r L ri , o a 3 v n 278 E rp e 19,490 e 7 d d Commuinity Based Anti V t I n Households Benefited E 6 Poaching Units Formed L ly from Income Generation d n 8 Activities e 7 ri F o 418 c Commuinity Based Anti HARIYO BAN E 1,516 Poaching Units Mobilized People Received Skill Goal Based Trainings C Phase I: Reduce adverse impacts of climate change and threats to L D biodiversity in Nepal I I M S S OVER

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E Q Y U T I A L 14,855 96 Men and Women Reached Through Local Adaptation Plan of Community Learning Action Centers Action 19 387 Integrated Sub- Natural Resource Management Groups Watershed Management Strengthened on Good Governance Plans Practices like Equitable Benefit Sharing of Natural Resources, Representation of Women and Marginalized Groups, etc. HARIYO BAN WORKING AREAS CHIEF OF PARTY

CHINA MESSAGE

Friends, Colleagues, and Partners, that affect them but also help improve forest cover, enhance internal governance of NRM groups, and emphasize the What a wonderful conservation journey it has been this past importance of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion. decade! It has been a great pleasure working for the Hariyo Ban Program and leading its second phase. We have had The integration of our interventions in biodiversity excellent opportunities to initiate and adapt to strategic and conservation and climate change adaptation into the annual CHITWAN ANNAPURNA LANDSCAPE inclusive conservation initiatives from a consortium of four work plan of local governments is further indicative of the partners that brought unique sets of expertise to the table. impact and ownership among local governments. This reveals TERAI ARC LANDSCAPE the power of working alongside local communities, building From Upper Mustang in the north to the mid hills and on their traditional experiences, while also capacitating them plains of Terai, we have found practical and innovative ways to better understand and act, provoking a virtuous cycle of for people to lift themselves out of poverty, all the while benefits that flow from natural resources to people, and vice protecting their natural environment and adapting to climate versa. change at the local and national levels. Seeing these very TEN YEARS OF communities, initiate eco-friendly enterprises has therefore As the Program nears completion, I would like to thank the been a heartwarming experience. Knowing that every sale of Government of Nepal and USAID; as well as the American Kanthamala created by the Dalit women's group in Tanahun People for their generous support as well as our consortium or Coffee packet sold in Kaski is reinvested in the education partners and local communities for helping the Program HARIYO BAN of their children, only cements the belief in our modality that achieve great heights in the natural resource management serves the poor and vulnerable living alongside forests and sector. While many conservation challenges lay ahead, it is my critical biodiversity corridors. It has been a proud moment for hope that our work in biodiversity conservation and climate us that our coordinated efforts have helped protect, restore, change adaptation has established a strong groundwork for INDIA PROGRAM and enhance Nepal's diverse wildlife, ranging from rhinos greater future achievements. and blackbucks to wild water buffaloes and their habitats – be it in their own habitat or their translocated homes.

Strongly believing that no society can develop without Shant Raj Jnawali, PhD empowering its women, our campaigns have augmented Chief of Party, Hariyo Ban Program - II the voices of economically and socially marginalized forest dependent populations that not only influence decisions ©WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program/Nabin Baral

37 USAID's Hariyo Ban (Green Forests) Program aims to reduce threats to biological diversity and vulnerabilities to climate change in two bio-diverse landscapes of Nepal - Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) and Chitwan Annapurna Landscape (CHAL) The Program was designed to address key threats to biodiversity, reduce climate vulnerability, improve livelihood - that cover 35% of Nepal. The Program is implemented by a consortium of four of the forest dependent, promote Gender Equality and Social partners: World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as the lead, Cooperative for Assistance Inclusion (GESI) in Natural Resource Management (NRM), improve internal governance of forest and watershed groups, and Relief Everywhere (CARE), National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), and support all levels of government in policy formulation. During the last decade, the Program has made significant and the Federation of Community Forest Users Nepal (FECOFUN). inroads in improving biophysical conditions, alternative livelihoods, internal governance and gender equality and social inclusion, as well as curbing wildlife crime, mitigating human wildlife conflict, and climate induced hazards such as forest fires, droughts and landslides.

The Program adopts an integrated landscape approach to biodiversity conservation and sound forest and watershed management principles, implemented in partnership with the Government of Nepal and scores of community forestry user groups in four biodiversity corridors (Shuklaphanta- Brahmadev, Bardia-Karnali, Banke-Kamdi, Chitwan- Barandabar) in TAL, and three sub-river basins (Seti, Marsyangdi, Daraundi) in CHAL complemented by policy support at federal, provincial, and local levels. ©WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program/Nabin Baral

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION Over the last decade, the Program has contributed to improving 75,376 ha of grasslands, wetlands and forests. The nation has Over the past decade, significant achievements have also achieved zero poaching of rhinos on seven occasions, been made in reducing climate vulnerabilities and risks and a close to doubling of its tiger numbers (from 198 in with 457,980 people benefiting from various climate 2013 to 235 in 2018); with critical support from the Program change mitigation and adaptation activities. The Program helping form and mobilize 278 and 418 Community Based successfully piloted Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) in Anti-Poaching Units respectively. Meanwhile, the restoration two sites, a market-based mechanism in which transactions of original assemblage of herbivores (rhinoceros, wild water of well-defined ecosystem services take place, promoting buffalo, blackbuck, swamp deer) through translocation to linkages between upstream and downstream communities their former ranges has also proven successful. On the policy for mutual as well as environmental benefits. front, 61 conservation strategies, plans and policies have been developed over the last decade, ranging from flora and fauna Whereas, another success came in the form of climate to wetlands and more. In addition, 21,000+ households have change adaptation and disaster risk reduction measures benefited from various livelihood and income generation being integrated into planning processes at the local activities supported by the Program helping reduce government level, alongside being reflected in TAL and unsustainable pressure on natural resources. CHAL landscape strategies and action plans. The Program was also instrumental in implementation of four climate The Program has made significant contributions to these change related national level policies and incorporating the through its approach; prioritizing and tackling threats to Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA) framework into biodiversity, protecting rare and endangered species and local governmental plans. Other adaption interventions their critical habitats, leveraging cutting edge technology, to reduce climate vulnerabilities range from livelihood while also conserving and restoring important ecosystem diversification through climate smart agriculture such as services, critical watersheds, and facilitating landscape plastic tunnel farming, construction of recharge ponds and functionality. All of this in close collaboration with local embankments, disaster risk reduction, as well as water, communities, community-based institutions and the sanitation and hygiene (WASH) measures, critical in ©WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program/Nabin Baral private sector. building community and ecosystem resilience.

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 39 GESI AND GOVERNANCE INNOVATION AND KNOWLEDGE GENERATION

Women and marginalized communities living alongside With the objective of promoting innovation and research protected regions often play a critical role in conservation in the field of biodiversity and climate change among but remain economically and environmentally vulnerable government agencies, civil society organizations, private due to reliance on natural resources and lack of alternative sector, research institutions and academia, the Program livelihood options. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion is initiated the Windows of Opportunity program in Phase I, therefore a core pillar of the Program which aims to engage later restructured under the Small Grants Program in Phase these communities by enhancing their leadership skills and II. These initiatives intended to fulfil gaps in the Program’s representation in forums such as community forest user plan of action and scale up successful pilot projects that groups. Over the last decade, 519 Community Learning added value to the Program’s goals. and Action Centers (CLACs) have been formed and mobilized providing a forum for women and marginalized During the project duration more than 425 grants were communities to gather, discuss social issues, and identify issued, enabling a wide range of stakeholders to undertake ways to overcome them. Whereas, over 32,000 people have innovative projects through applied research, piloting of been trained on GESI and Governance. promising approaches, policy development, and capacity building in the fields of climate change adaptation, GESI Moreover, with the goal of promoting equitable sharing and governance and forest management. of conservation benefits and including marginalized communities in the decision-making process, the Program ©WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program/Santosh Pudasaini Building on its achievements and over the last decade has made significant progress in improving governance of local NRM groups by addressing learnings, the Program continues to gender-based violence (GBV), social issues, and enhancing work towards improving ecological and their institutional capacity through mobilization of change agents. This has subsequently led to strengthened community resilience in its working engagement; with women, poor and marginalized landscapes. Over the last decade, the communities holding key leadership positions, effective implementation of NRM policies, and increased leveraging Program has made great strides in of resources for natural resource management ultimately reducing threats to biodiversity and safeguarding people and the natural environment that they depend upon. climate change vulnerabilities, doing so by improving awareness, building capacity, piloting and testing innovative strategies and approaches, replicating and scaling up of proven technologies and ideas. To ensure sustainability of the Program’s successful interventions, work is currently underway on three fronts – knowledge management and integration of activities into annual work plans of the local governments, replication of learning, integration of critical initiatives into other projects by consortium partners, and advocating for incorporation of successful activities by

©WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program/Nabin Baral ©WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program/Nabin Baral the provincial and federal governments - as the Program nears its closing.

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 41 FINANCIAL SUMMARY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FY 2019/20 WWF Nepal acknowledges with gratitude the support received from the following partners, donors and supporters:

• Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Cooperative And Natural Resources; National Planning Commission; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Forests and Environment; OTHERS Ministry of Agricultural and Livestock Development; Ministry of Women, Children 14,963,876 and Senior Citizen; Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation; Ministry of ADMINISTRATIVE Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment; Ministry of Federal Affairs and General 22,247,450 Administration; Office of Attorney General; Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation; Department of Forests and Soil Conservation; Department of Plant FRESHWATER Resources; Water and Energy Commission Secretariat; Department of Hydrology 4,578,345 and Meteorology; Department of Water Resources and Irrigation; Nepal Tourism GOVERNANCE Board; Social Welfare Council; Alternative Energy Promotion Centre; Protected Areas; 8,901,551 Divisional Forest Offices; Nepal Police, and Nepal Army. WILDLIFE 416,935,792 • United States Agency for International Development (USAID); Ministry for Foreign CLIMATE AND ENERGY Affairs of Finland (MFA); Department for International Development (DFID); 80,185,130 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT); German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS); IUCN; KfW; Global Environment Facility (GEF); NDC Partnership, World Bank; Whiskas; Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation; The Coca Cola Foundation; Carlsberg Breweries A/S; FOREST Google Foundation; Intrepid Foundation; Hoffman La Roche; Sall Family Foundation; 127,179,439 International Ranger Federation (IRF).

• WWF US; WWF UK; WWF Finland; WWF Germany; WWF Netherlands; WWF Singapore; WWF Belgium; WWF Canada; WWF Denmark; WWF Australia; WWF International; WWF Switzerland; Tigers Alive Initiative; River Dolphin Rivers Initiative

• CARE Nepal; National Trust for Nature Conservation; Zoological Society of London; Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal (FECOFUN); Lumbini Development FINANCIAL OVERVIEW (FY 2017/18 - FY2019/20) Trust; International Water Management Institute; International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development; Biogas Sector Partnership Nepal; Society of Hydrology and Themes FY 2017-18 FY 2018-19 FY 2019-20 Meteorology-Nepal; Family Planning Association of Nepal; Environmental Camps for Conservation Awareness; Youth Alliance for Environment; Nepal Forum for 1. Wildlife 514,595,122 492,168,735 416,935,792 Environmental Journalists; Clean Energy Nepal; Kathmandu University; Tribhuvan University (TU); Conservation Development Foundation (CODEFUND); Institute 2. Forests 18,358,873 151,375,803 127,179,439 for Social and Environment Transition (ISET); Nepal Institute of Forestry; Bird 3. Climate and Energy 202,019,617 110,306,367 80,185,130 Conservation Nepal; Ethnobotanical Society of Nepal; Building and Wood Workers’ International Nepal Affiliate Committee (BWI NAC); SENSE Nepal; Wildlife 4. Freshwater 28,312,556 23,514,504 4,578,345 Conservation Association Nepal (WILDCAN), Nepal Foresters Association (NFA); National Foundation for the Development of Indigenous Nationalities; Nepal 5. Governance 17,768,064 23,442,855 8,901,551 Federation of Indigenous Nationalities; Himalayan Grassroots Women’s Natural Resource Management Association (Himawanti) Nepal; Community-Based Forestry 6. Others 16,603,529 21,290,607 14,963,876 Supporters’ Network (COFSUN), Nepal; Nepal Red Cross Society; Abilis Foundation; 7. Administrative Expenses (Levy) 57,872,699 41,331,131 22,247,450 NGO Federation of Nepal.

Total Expenditure (1+2+3+4+5+6+7) 955,530,460 863,430,002 674,991,583 WWF Nepal also expressly acknowledges the support and role of provincial and local governments, buffer zones, communities and community-based organizations.

WWF Nepal’s Fiscal Year Ends on 30th June

Figures in NRs

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 43