Northern Mountain Conservation Programme A RETROSPECTIVE
1996-2008
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme
1996-2008
A Retrospective . Dedication
This Retrospective Report is dedicated to our esteemed leaders, friends and colleagues who gave their lives on 23 September 2006 for their belief in the positive conservation of Nepal.
We acknowledge all 24 souls that lost their lives that day and it is with special affection that Ms Yeshi Lama will be remembered by the people of Dolpa for her smiling face, understanding manner and untiring work for the Northern Mountain Conservation Programme. Foreword
The 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 Preface
Shey 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 Report
WWF 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 Content
About WWF About Our Partners Abbreviations and Acronyms
1. Situational Analysis 1
2. Conservation in the Trans-Himalaya Mountains 3 2.1 Depletion of Natural Resources 3 2.2 Conflict between Humans and Wildlife 3 2.3 Traditional Versus the Modern 3
3. Our Working Area 5 3.1 Dolpa District 5 3.2 Mugu District 6 3.3 Shey Phoksundo National Park and Buffer Zone 6 3.4 Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve 7
4. Programme Overview 9 4.1 Northern Mountain Conservation Programme (NMCP) 1996-2007 9 4.2 Objectives 10 4.3 Programme Components 11
5. Impacts 13 5.1 Forest Conservation 13 5.2 Species Conservation 14 5.3 Sustainable Development 14 5.4 Communication and Education 15 5.5 Policy and Advocacy 16
6. Programme Details 17 6.1 Objective 17 6.2 Programme Activities 17 6.2.1 Forest Conservation 17 6.2.2 Species Conservation 18 6.2.3 Sustainable Development 22 6.2.4 Conservation Education, Capacity Building and Communication 24 6.2.5 Policy and Advocacy 26 7. Challenges and Lessons Learned 29 7.1 Forest Conservation 29 7.2 Species Conservation 29 7.3 Sustainable Development 30 7.4 Good Governance in Natural Resources Management 31 7.5 Impact of Conflict on Programme Implementation 32
8. The Way Forward 33 8.1 Landscape Level Approach for Snow Leopard Conservation 33 8.2 Safeguarding Indigenous Knowledge 33 8.3 Linking Conservation with Religion 34 8.4 Integrating Population, Health and Environment in Conservation Practices 34 8.5 NTFP 35 8.6 Alternative Energy 35 8.7 Tourism 35 8.8 Climate Change 36 8.9 Strengthen Trans-boundary Cooperation at the Local Level 36 8.10 Linkages 36 8.11 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 SPNP Table 2 District Indicators Table 3 List of VDCs and Beneficiaries About WWF
In almost five decades, the WWF's Mission Statement To stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a World Wildlife Fund has • Conserving the world's biological diversity; become one of the world's • Ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and largest and most respected • Promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. independent conservation organisations.
With almost five million supporters distributed throughout five continents, WWF has offices in over 90 countries and can safely claim to have played a major role in the evolution of the international conservation movement. Infact, since 1985, WWF has invested over US$1 billion in more than 12,000 projects.
WWF Nepal
WWF has been working in Nepal since the 1960s when it focussed on species conservation and research with strict law enforcement practices. WWF Nepal office was established in 1993. Today WWF Nepal integrates conservation with community development in an attempt to address issues of livelihoods of the people living near protected areas with the aim of involving them and enabling them to take a long term responsibility for conservation. Our focus is now on taking a landscape approach by building partnerships with donors, stakeholders, interested groups and local people.
At present, WWF Nepal's major projects link WWF's global priority to the conservation needs of Nepal. With the aim of strengthening cooperation with neighbouring countries and adopting a regional approach in biodiversity conservation to save the region's rich and varied biodiversity, we have already joined hands with the Government of Nepal and initiated coordination and cooperation with India, Bhutan and the Tibet Autonomous Region, sharing information on wildlife poaching and illegal trade in wildlife products in the trans-border areas. About Our Partners
Working 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 community development programmes which are wide ranging and promote equitable and sustainable livelihood by addressing the causes, rather than symptoms of poverty and social injustice. CARE Nepal works through both formal and informal 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 increasing the reach and sustainability of CARE programmes, while increasing the institutional capacity of partners. CARE's collaboration 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 of education and conservation running a Junior Ranger Programme in the schools of Dolpa and Mugu. DESERT works in partnership with the DDC and Government offices based in Dolpa.
DADTAG (Development Association of Dolpo Tourism and Generation) is a local NGO working for community development and tourism promotion.
Himali Jadibuti Sarokar Samaj is a Dolpa based local NGO, working for the promotion and advocacy of policy issues 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 market linkages 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 a common forum of 62 FUGs in Dolpa, 18 BZFUGs in SPNP BZ. The Dolpa Chapter has worked with NMCP in forest management and capacity enhancement. Its national chapter works for good governance and advocacy in natural resource 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 five districts of the Karnali Region especially in education, both formal and informal, capacity building, basic infrastructure support, 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 tradition in 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-resources APU Anti Poaching Unit BDS-MAPS Business Development Services, Marketing and Production Services BZ Buffer Zone BZFUG Buffer Zone Forest User Group BZMC Buffer Zone Management Committee BZUC Buffer Zone User's Committee CBAPOU Community Based Anti Poaching Operation Unit CBO Community-Based Organisation DAD-TAG Development Associations of Dolpo Tourism and Generations DDC District Development Committee DESERT Dolpo Educational Social and Environmental Reservation Team DFO District Forest Office/r DNPWC Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation DoF Department of Forest FECOFUN Federation of Community Forest Users, Nepal FUG Forest Users Group GLAs Government Line Agencies GIS Geographic Information System GON Government of Nepal ICS Improved Cook Stove IDE International Development Enterprises I/NGO International/ Non-Governmental Organisation ISLT International Snow Leopard Trust IUCN The World Conservation Union MAP Medicinal and Aromatic Plants NGO Non Governmental Organisation NMCP Northern Mountain Conservation Programme NPWC National Parks and Wildlife Conservation NTFP Non-Timber Forest Products PPI People and Plant Initiative PHPA Public Hearing, Public Auditing PRA Participatory Rural Appraisal PWBR Participatory Well-Being Ranking SPNP Shey-Phoksundo National Park SLCC Snow Leopard Conservation Committee THCC Traditional Health Care Centre UC Users' Committee UG Users' Group VDC Village Development Committee WHS World Heritage Site WWF World Wide Fund for Nature . host ofmammals rangingfromthemagnificent Royal of birds,being 10%oftheworld'sspecies, anda Fauna flourisheswithadiversity ofover800species known speciesoftrees,shrubs andwildflowers. from almostsealevelto8,848m, thereareover6,500 diversetopographyranging Because ofthecountry's Flora andFauna unique biodiversity. population boomwhichis,literally, eatingintoits hasexperienceda this underdevelopedcountry a richvarietyofplantandwildlife,inrecentdecades to thesouthandflowingrivers,snowmountains mountains tothenorth,middlehillsandlowlandTerai the destructionoftheirhandiwork.Withhigh imagined thatthegodsareindespairastheywitness harmony withtherhythmofnatureanditcanbe times, however, menhavesomehowmovedoutof the abundanceofnaturalresources. Inmorerecent attracted tothebeautyofhighmountainsand where godsandmenlivetogetherinharmony;both Nepal haslongbeenthoughtofasafabledShangrila Nepal -Overview 1 Situational Analysis and thefluidityof thattimeallowedambitiousfamilies Bahun andChhetris joinedtheKhasinthese areas into presentdayNepali.During the12 peoplewhoselanguageevolved Khas, anIndo-Aryan In thewesternmidlands area isdominatedby settling inNepalforthousandsofyears. Indeed, peoplefromTibet have beentradingand Buddhist andhaveasimilarculturetoTibetans. or Bhote.Withfewexceptions,thesepeopleare of Tibetan descentandareknowninNepaliasBhotiya Within theHimalayanzonepeopleareMongoloid The peopleofNepalareasdiverseitslandscape. People floraandfauna. possibility toconserve resources inthehighmountains opensupthe culture basedsystemsofmanagingnatural for agriculturalland,itisalsotruethattraditional, traditional forestandgrazingareasarebeingcleared While theeverincreasinghumanpopulationmeans and raresnowleopardinthehighmountains. Bengal Tiger inthesouthernlowlandstobeautiful th century
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 1 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 1996-2008 A Retrospective 2 uninhabited untilthe1950sduetoitsdenseforest The Terai, orflatlowlandarea,wasvirtually numerous. spread throughoutthecountry, andremainthemost Thakuris. Today, theHindu,BahunandChhetrishave from amongtheKhasandMagarcastesbecame to adopthighercastes,forexamplepowerfulChhetris Nepal Facts Source: WorldDevelopment Indicatorsdatabase,September 2008 Industry, valueadded(%ofGDP) Agriculture, valueadded(%ofGDP) Inflation, GDPdeflator(annual%) GDP growth(annual%) GDP (currentUS$)(billions) Economy Electric powerconsumption(kWhpercapita) Energy use(kgofoilequivalentpercapita) Improved sanitationfacilities,urban(%ofpopulationwithaccess) Improved watersource(%ofpopulationwithaccess) Annual freshwaterwithdrawals,total(%ofinternalresources) Agricultural land(%ofarea) Forest area(sq.km)(thousands) Environment Ratio ofgirlstoboysinprimaryandsecondaryeducation(%) Primary completionrate,total(%ofrelevantagegroup) (% ofchildrenunder5) Malnutrition prevalence,weightforage Mortality rate,under-5(per1,000) Births attendedbyskilledhealthstaff(%oftotal) Contraceptive prevalence(%ofwomenages15-49) Adolescent fertilityrate(birthsper1,000womenages15-19) Fertility rate,total(birthsperwoman) People GNI percapita,PPP(currentinternational$) Surface area(sq.km)(thousands) Population growth(annual%) Population, total(millions) World view Data Profile Innocent facesinSaldangSchool regarding ownershiprightscontinuetothisday. expanses of,potentiallyagriculture,land.Tensions migrants fromthemidhills,attractedbywide Mogul wars.Today theTerai ishometomany they originatedfromIndiaduringthetimeof beingthat animist withnoclearorigin,onetheory Tharus, thelargestethnicgroupinTerai, are lands whichgaverisetodiseasessuchasmalaria. medicinal plants,andmigrationforworkelsewhere. of localNTFP(non-timberforestproducts)suchas are rareinmountainareas,andmayincludegathering products fromDolpa.Otherincomeopportunities access togoodsfromChina,reducingtheirneedfor livelihood. Inmorerecenttimes,however, Tibet has pastoral activitieshavebeenthetraditionalmeansof trading withTibet andotherareasinNepal for fivemonthsinayear. InareassuchasDolpa, households onlybeingabletoproducesufficientfood mountains arablelandisatapremiumwithmany or workingonfamilyrunsubstancefarms.Inthe The majorityofNepalisstillliveofftheland,owning Livelihoods 2000 147.2 24.42 5.49 29.3 39.0 334 124 810 4.5 6.2 2.3 4.0 22 41 58 42 83 77 66 86 12 37 .. .. 2005 147.2 27.09 8.18 29.5 36.4 338 118 960 6.5 3.1 2.0 3.1 18 36 70 90 75 63 ...... 2006 1,010 147.2 27.64 8.94 116 6.7 2.8 3.1 2.0 17 35 45 89 93 76 39 59 19 48 ...... 2007 10.21 1,040 147.2 28.11 8.6 2.5 1.7 17 34 ...... Upper Dolpa, timberforbuildinghouses is fuel woodandanimalfodder.necessary Infact,in have totravelfurtherand afieldtoobtainthe unnoticed ashouseholdmembers, usuallywomen, and severelydepletesforests. Thishasnotgone The fellingoftreesforfuelcauses bothsoilerosion erosion onsteephillsides. imbalance andincreasingthepotentialforsoil particularly byillegaltraders,creatingspecies ecologically vulnerableduetooverharvesting, for generations.Today theseresources havebecome of localhealthpracticesandhaveprovidedincome valuable tradingresource andhaveformedthebasis fungus Yarsagumba. Themedicinalplantsarea herbal plantsarefound,includingthecaterpillar others. Over400speciesofmedicinalandaromatic trees; wildroses;ferns,andrhododendronsamong vegetation consistingofjuniper, birch andwillow andbarrenyetitstillboastsadiverse mostly dry of theTrans-Himalaya, orNorthernMountains,is life wasthenorm.Beinginarainshadow, theland Trans-Himalaya mountains,amorenomadictraders the lowlandsandhillsofNepal,butinhigh As mentioned,farminghaslongbeenatraditionin Natural Resources Depletionof 2.1 2 Trans-Himalaya Mountains Conservation inthe forested lowerpartofthedistrict. transported byyakformanydaysfromthemore done thesedays appearstobereducing with an much oftheTrans-Himalaya area, theamountoftrade where abartersystemisstill used,asthroughout In areaswheretradingisthetraditional livelihoodand Livelihoods Traditional Versus theModern 2.3 anger andfrustrationatlosingvaluablelivestock. kill thepredatorsinordertoavoidfurtherkillsoroutof recently theonlysolutionherderscouldseewasto conflict betweenherderandpredatorincreases.Until habitat oftheseanimalsandtheirpreyisencroached, leopards andgreywolfs.Aspopulationsgrowthe Northern Mountainsincludingpredatorssuchassnow Over 30speciesofmammalsaretobefoundinthe Wildlife ConflictbetweenHumans and 2.2 to useforlight. obtain " the area willcutdownonegreen yearto tree every It isestimatedthateachofthe900householdsin diyalo ", ortapersfrom thecore ofthetree,
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 3 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 1996-2008 A Retrospective 4 bring alltheirresources, includingfood,withthem. low andlimitedtoorganisedgroups,whonormally government keepthenumbersoftouristsrelatively lodges. Inaddition,thehighpermitfeessetby and lackoforganisedfacilitiessuchasporters of infrastructuretoattractlargenumbersvisitors, duetoseveralreasonsincludinglack this industry Dolpa, localsarenotgainingenoughbenefitsfrom the increaseinnumberoftouristscomingto including remotemountainareas.However, despite the governmenthasopenedupmoreandareas, 1960s andastouristsbecomemoreadventurous Tourism hasbeentakingplace inNepalsincethe animalsandfueltrees. plants, predatory ofvaluable difficulttopromoteconservation very until householdsriseabovesubsistencelevel,itis other sustainableincome.Unlessthathappens,and Nepal toTibet. tofindsome Itisthereforenecessary Tibet ongrazingoflivestockacrosstheborderfrom and thebanimposedbyAutonomousRegionof jeopardized becauseofthedegradationpastures However, inrecentyears,patrolactivitieshavebeen largely supportedthepeopleofmountains. with Trans-Himalayan trade,pastoralactivitieshave areas (suchasChinaandotherpartsofNepal).Along increase inindustrialisationthetraditionalmarket religion goodidea, toconservationisavery ofDolpa,thenitwouldhelpconservationinthefuture.Buddhism created, Relating incorporatingthehistory conservation. Butforthebestresults, ifBuddhistphilosophywasintroduced inschools,oraspecificschoolof park ruleswerenotenforced.Theneedstomake'policemen'whowillenforcetherelating "When theSheyPhoksundoNationalParkwascreated, thepowerwastakenfrom theGompa,yetnational " RimpocheT " RimpocheT " RimpocheT " RimpocheT " RimpocheT harvesting andhuman/wildlifeconflict. harvesting regulations, leadingtogreaterdeforestation,over- incentive tofollowthegovernment'srulesand of thecentralgovernment,donothavesame People inremoteareas,havinghadlittleexperience job itistoprotectthebiodiversityofarea. whose areas suchasnationalparksandreserves government intheformofcreatingconservation caretaker responsibilitywastakenbythe household orcommunity. Inmoderntimes,the and collectingplantsaspertheneedofeach including predators,andafairsystemoffellingtrees threaded intodailylivesarespectforalllife, Gompas (monasteries).Boththese"caretakers" responsibility waspassedtothelamasin offorests.Laterthat had asayintheconservation In thedistantpast,Kingofareawouldhave and lawshascreatedbothconflictconfusion. environment. However, erosionoftraditionalrules use theirknowledgeofimmediate manifestation ofthewaypeopleinteractwithand practicesandlivelihoodsarea and customary strategy;lifestyle,traditions developed asasurvival The uniquecultureofthepeopleDolpowas Management Practices RelatedtoNaturalResources Decline inTraditional Knowledgeand ulko, NamgunmMonaster ulko, NamgunmMonaster ulko, NamgunmMonaster ulko, NamgunmMonaster ulko, NamgunmMonaster y y y y y , Dolpa , Dolpa , Dolpa , Dolpa , Dolpa "DolpoTheHiddenLand",Amchi Namgyal,SNV,Kathmandu,2005 1 to anincreasedemandforhouse timber;anincrease years thepressureonland has beengrowingdue non-timber forestproducts(NTFPs). Inmorerecent on thelandformeadowsand pastures,forestsand Traditionally thesepoorherdersandtradersdepend location; farfromthecentralgovernment. independent, partlybecauseoftheirgeographical Nepal, thepeopleofDolpaarestillfiercely tradition. Self-governingbeforetheunificationof places, surroundedinmythandarichBuddhist splendid inculturewithmanysacredandauspicious Dolpa Districtisnotonlyrichinbiodiversitybut strong has and borders land" "hidden mysterious This DolpaDistrict 3.1 cultural ties with Tibet; indeed the original Dolpa original the indeed Tibet; with ties cultural The name Dolpa itself comes from the Tibetan word Tibetan the from comes itself Dolpa name The "dol" which means overflowing. This refers to the to refers This overflowing. means which "dol" people came from the upper Ngari upper the from came people abundance of natural and mineral resources as well as resources mineral and natural of abundance as to its rich religious significance. religious rich its to as 3 Our WorkingArea 1 Region of Tibet. of Region ancient artofhealingisbased ontheherbsand (traditional Tibetan doctors)totreatailments.This trade, aswellbeingused bylocalAmchis Medicinal plantsareeconomically importantfor exchanging saltandmedicinalplantsforfoodgrain. border toTibet andintootherNepalimountainarea, yak caravanscanstillbeseentradingacrossthe they areadaptedtotheharsh,coldenvironmentand family. Atthehighaltitudesyaksarevaluableas the numberoflivestockreflectingwealth importantwith istraditionallyvery Animal husbandry trend. plants isalsoaworrying as snowleopard.Poachingofrarespeciesand and areductioninthenumbersofrarespeciessuch predators andlivestock,leadingtoretaliationkillings has alsobeenanincreaseinconflictbetween the China/Nepalagreementinmid1980s).There traditional pasturesinTibet (causedbyanendof plants suchasYarsagumba andtheclosingof medicinal in thenumberofoutsidersharvesting
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 5 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 1996-2008 A Retrospective 6 | Table 2| Bon hadsimilaritieswithanimisticshamanist Tibet beforeBuddhismtookhold.Intheearlyphase, Buddhism co-exist;Bonbeingpractisedwidelyin where theBonreligionispractised.and but itisalsooneoffewremainingareasintheworld The majorityofthepopulationinDolpaareBuddhists philosophy, astrologyandtraditionalpainting. herbs andmedicinalplantsbutofreligious qualified Amchimustnotonlyhaveknowledgeofthe approach tohealingboththebodyandspirit.A combines theteachingofBuddhawithaholistic phlegm, imbalanceofwhichbringsaboutillness.It the functioningofthreehumours:wind,bileand treatments arebasedontheAmchisassessmentof Diagnosis isbypulseandurineanalysis natural productsofTibet andthehighHimalayas. Itshouldbenotedthat thereisconsiderabledifferenceinconditions,physicaland indicatory betweenupperandlowerDolpa 3 http://www.tapriza.org 2 Source: NMCP isworkinginfallMuguDistrict.Kimriand Two oftheVillageDevelopmentCommittees(VDCs) MuguDistrict 3.2 to AmchimedicineasaBon"hiddentreasure". Lama fromtheSamlingBonMonastery, Dolparefers the originofAmchimedicine-AmchiSherabTenzin an on-goingdebateastowhethertheBonreligionis spiritual environments.To thisdaytherealsoremains for natureandemphasisonphysical,natural than onphilosophyandretainsitsprofoundrespect still placesgreateremphasisonspiritsanddeities religious forms.InitscurrentformtheBonreligion | Table 1| 5 4 3 2 1 S.N. Dolpa Kathmandu Nepal Mugu 3 (http://www.undp.org.np/publication/html/nhdr2004/annex2.pdf) Nepal HumanDevelopmentReport2004 EmpowermentandPovertyReduction,UNDP Total Others Rocks/rockoutcrops Grassland Shrubland Forest Landuse Type Landuse Types inSPNP District Indicators Shey PhoksundoNationalPark Life Expectancy 44.07 52.52 69.57 60.98 AdultLiteracy Area (ha) 355,500 182,072 122,260 38,345 11,355 1,468 28.1% 29% 64% 48% 2 Schooling Yearsof and regulations. rules buffer zonesandhavetheirownconservation parks themselves.Theseareasarecommonlycalled boundaries arejustasrichinfloraandfaunathe The areaswhichfalldirectlyoutsidenationalpark birds tobefoundthere. and snowpartridgearejustafewofthemorecommon Imphean pheasant,bloodcheer and langurrhesusmonkeys.Richinbirdlife,the Himalayan weasel;mousehare;muskdeer, tahr; wolf;jackal;Himalayanblackbear; the mainpreyofsnowleopard;goral;Himalayan life. Otheranimalsfoundintheparkarebluesheep, yak, andTibetan antelopeaswelladiversefloral for theendangeredsnowleopard,muskdeer, wild valuable ecologicallyasitprovidesthemainhabitat Shey PhoksundoNationalPark(SPNP)isextremely 30% ofthetotalforestcoveragebeingfoundhere. takes up7.6%ofthetotalareaDolpaDistrict,with more than400speciesofmedicinalplants.Thepark sixspeciesofreptiles,and 28 speciesofbutterflies, types, 196speciesofbirds,32mammals, Trans-Himalayan climatewhichproduces15forest and itsbufferzonehaveasub-temperateto altitudes rangingfrom2,000to6,883metres,thepark and faunaresembletheTibetan deserttype.With micro-climatic condition,ecology, ecosystemandflora Nepal's largestnationalparkandtheonlyonewhose Covering over3,555km and BufferZone SheyPhoksundoNationalPark 3.3 andtradingfortheirlivelihoods. husbandry km2. LikeDolpa,manypeoplerelyonanimal Mugu districtissparselypopulatedandcovers21,351 to theotherVDCsweareworkinginDolpa. Dolphu arepartofSPNPandhaveasimilartopography 1.78 1.59 4.41 2.75 Capita ($) CDP per 1,104 1,279 1,862 1,310 which arenotreflectedindistrict wisefiguresandindicators. 2 andgazettedin1984,thisis HDI 0.304 0.371 0.772 0.471 (75 Districts) Ranking 75 67 1 Figuresfrom WWF1997 4 | Table 3| habitat degradation.Forexample,inthesummer livestock forpastureshasresultedinwidespread is thatcompetitionbetweenwildungulatesand regarding endangeredandotherspeciesexist,isclear toll ontheecosystem.Althoughlittleinformation patterns ofsubsistencewhicharenowtakingtheir natural resource useandaredependantonancient timber, thepeoplelackawarenessaboutsustainable Heavily dependentonforestsforenergy, fodderand boar arealsohuntedhere. Ghoral, serow, Himalayanthar, barkingdeer, andwild 1984, Dhorpatanisfamousforbluesheephunting. Declaredasaprotectedareain hunting reserve. and RukumDistricts,DhorpataisNepal'sonly Covering anareaof1,325km2Baglung,Myagdi DhorpatanHuntingReserve 3.4 Temperate Forest, makesthisareamorecritical. Global 200Ecoregions,namelytheWestern Himalayan The factthatSPNPalsoencompassesoneofWWFs S.N. 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Phoksundo Falls Dolphu (MuguDistrict) Kimri (MuguDistrict) Rimi Kaigaon Pahada Tripurakot Raha Dho Tarap Vijer Saldang Phoksundo List ofVDCsandBeneficiaries VDC
Female 1,054 363 450 587 727 864 339 392 215 877 251 hunting suspendedandallMNCPactivitiesended. staffwereevacuated,legal conflict andtheReserve 1998/ 99thisareabecameinsecureduetothearmed initsinitialactivities.Unfortunately,Reserve during National Park,NMCPincludedDhorpatanHunting needsasSheyPhoksundo With similarconservation Valley grasslandstograzetheirlivestock. approximately 1,300householdsuseDhorpatan Phoksundo Lake-RamsarSite Phoksundo Lake-RamsarSite Importance. Ramsar ListofWetlands ofInternational million hectares, designated forinclusioninthe are presently 1,822wetlandsites,totalling168 wise useofwetlandsandtheirresources. There and cooperationfortheconservation international provides theframeworkfornationalactionand Iran, in1971,isaninter-governmental treaty which The ConventiononWetlands,signedinRamsar, of anniversary first (the 2007 23, September On Phoksundo Lake-RamsarSite Phoksundo Lake-RamsarSite Phoksundo Lake-RamsarSite the demise of our leaders, friends and colleagues), and friends leaders, our of demise the Phoksundo Lake was declared a Ramsar Site. The Site. Ramsar a declared was Lake Phoksundo is proof of the lake and surrounding area's rich area's surrounding and lake the of proof is contribution to the biodiversity of the earth. the of biodiversity the to contribution
Male 1,038 353 389 214 867 258 407 463 626 694 828 Total 1,213 1,421 1,692 2,092 1744 770 913 692 781 429 509 Total HHs 137 224 194 237 123 217 184 406 44 84 94
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 7 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 1996-2008 A Retrospective 8 In 1996, WWF Nepal in collaboration with the with collaboration in Nepal WWF 1996, In 1996 -2007 Programme(NMCP) Conservation NorthernMountains 4.1 Department of National Parks and Wildlife and Parks National of Department Conservation (DNPWC) of the Government of Nepal of Government the of (DNPWC) Conservation started the Northern Mountain Conservation Mountain Northern the started Programme, an Integrated Conservation and Conservation Integrated an Programme, 4 Development Programme (ICDP) funded by USAID. by funded (ICDP) Programme Development Firstly designed to safeguard the biodiversity of the of biodiversity the safeguard to designed Firstly wild and remote area of Shey Phoksundo National Phoksundo Shey of area remote and wild Park, in keeping with the focus, growth and growth focus, the with keeping in Park, development of WWF's global strategies, the strategies, global WWF's of development Northern Mountain Conservation Programme Conservation Mountain Northern (NMCP) matured into an inclusive programme inclusive an into matured (NMCP) focussing on facilitating local management of natural of management local facilitating on focussing resources and improving the living conditions of local of conditions living the improving and resources communities while safeguarding the regions unique regions the safeguarding while communities natural heritage. natural Programme Overview areas tocover;highcostand irregularity ofpermits camp sites.Withonlytwoproject staffonsite,vast women's groups;ecoclubs; nurseries, andtourist on establishingandstrengthening plantations; During thefirstyearsprogramme concentrated The EarlyYears -ABlueprint the bufferzoneandDopatanHuntingReserve. Mugu District,theNMCPworkingareaalsoincluded over nineVDCsofDolpaDistrictandtwo Phoksumdo NationalPark(SPNP),whichextends years (Sept'96-Sept'01).CoveringShey agreement withUSAIDforaninitialperiodoffive support fromWWFNepalandunderaGrant withtechnicalandfinancial and WildlifeConservation launched in1996bytheDepartmentofNationalParks communities livinginthebufferzone,NMCPwas improve thesocio-economicconditionsof To therichbiodiversityofareaandto conserve Programme History
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 9 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 10 1996-2008 A Retrospective culturally andsociallyacceptableactivities. as wellintroducingsustainable,economicviable, advantage ofandimprovingexistinglocalstrengths reshaped basedonlessonslearnedinthefield,taking With eachyear, theprogrammewasrevisedand ActionPlan. Conservation specific planssuchastheSnowLeopard SPNP BZManagementPlan,andputinplacespecies support theformulationandimplementationof awareness; local livelihoodneeds;raiseconservation sustainable forestandNTFPmanagementtomeet went ontostrengtheninstitutions;promote thebiodiversityofHimalayas,NMCP conserve Through itsworktohelptheGovernmentofNepal From Strengthto the followingyears. challenges weremany. Buttheblueprintwassetfor for foreignexpertsintoUpperDolpa,theearly development issuesrelatedtotheuseofplant and (PPI), whichaddressedconservation NMCP comprisedofthePeopleandPlantInitiative Initiatives through:- initiatives intheprotectedareaandbufferzone outintegrateddevelopmentandconservation to carry governmental organizations(NGOs)andSPNPstaff the capabilitiesoflocalusersgroups,non- thebiodiversityofSPNPbystrengthening Conserve SpecificObjectives 4.2.2. region's uniquenaturalheritage. improve livingconditionswhilesafeguardingthe Facilitate localmanagementofnaturalresources and OverallObjective 4.2.1. Objectives 4.2 1998-99. endedduringtheperiod Dorpatan HuntingReserve due toheavyMaoistinfluence,allactivitiesin is scheduledtoendinJune2009.Unfortunately, resources governance.SAGUNbeganin2002and building thecapacityoflocalcommunitiesinnatural Utilization ofNaturalResources) whichaimedat (Strengthened ActionsforGovernanceinthe resources duringtheperiod1997-2004, andSAGUN • • • Policy andAdvocacy Policy andAdvocacy Communication andEducation Communication andEducation Sustainable Development Sustainable Development Species Conservation Species Conservation For For NMCP Pr NMCP Pr Creating an enabling environment that supports the linkages between sustainable livelihoods and landscape and livelihoods sustainable between linkages the behavioural supports and that attitudinal environment positive to enabling an leading Creating communities, local Policy andAdvocacy the among households, awareness marginalized conservation and poor Increasing particularly BZ, Communication andEducation SPNP in communities local to monitoring, and benefits research livelihood scientific Bringing through habitat Sustainable Development and species prey leopard, snow the to threats the Reduce Species Conservation and BZ SPNP in meadows alpine and forest in quality habitat improve to management forest Sustainable For NMCP Pr Policy andAdvocacy Policy andAdvocacy Communication andEducation Communication andEducation Sustainable Development Sustainable Development Species Conservation Species Conservation For For NMCP Pr NMCP Pr buffer zone intheSPNPand of naturalresources conservation various stakeholdersforstrengthenedgovernance Improving coordinationandcollaborationamong sustainable useofplantresources health caretoachieve plants andprimary Strengthening managementsystemsofmedicinal increases localincomes Promoting sustainableeconomicgrowththat changes that support conservation, and to document best practices and lessons learned. lessons and practices best document to and conservation, support that changes level conservation in the NMCP region. NMCP the in conservation level in participation their achieve to as well as livelihoods for resources natural on conservation and pressure mitigation reduce to as conflict so wildlife human/ anti-poaching, including conservation, community-based natural including restoration, forest and energy alternative forestry, community through livelihoods local sustain awareness. plantation. and regeneration conservation. Institutional strengthening and coordination to strengthen the capacity of SPNP BZ and affiliated institutions for institutions affiliated and BZ SPNP of capacity the strengthen to coordination and strengthening Institutional effective management of SPNP BZ and enhance coordination among line agencies and organisations working organisations and agencies line among coordination enhance and BZ SPNP of management effective est Conser est Conser est Conser est Conser est Conser at all levels in the region. the in levels all at oject Components oject Components oject Components oject Components oject Components vation vation vation vation vation "Programme Activities". these componentsarefoundinsection6.2 objective oftheProgramme.Detailsactivities all ofwhichareinterlinkedandcrucialtotheoverall activities arecategorisedintofiveareacomponents, Programme The NorthernMountainConservation 4.3 ProgrammeComponents
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 11 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 12 1996-2008 A Retrospective • • • • Achievements facilities. Products (NTFP)andimprovemedicallivelihood Non-Timber Forest customs tobothconserve of medicinalplants,NMCPhastappedintolocal andsustainable use training topromoteconservation Through appliedethno-botanicalresearch and having tocutdownasmanytreesforheatandlight. contributing tosavingthelocalforestsbysimplynot and micro-hydroplants,eachhouseholdis By providingimprovedcookingstoves,solarlighting NMCP hasreversedthedegradationoflandscape. Groups (BZFUGs)andBufferZoneUserCommittees, mobilize resources throughBufferZoneForestUser building communities'abilitiestomanageand Through encouragingnurseriesandplantations theforestcoverageinDolpa. increase andconserve From thebeginning,NMCPhasbeenworkingto ForestConservation 5.1 with SPNP Zone UserCommitteesformed incoordination 1 BufferZoneManagementCouncil and17Buffer Plantation carriedoutinseveral places 8 forestnurseriessupported 4 RangelandCommitteesformed 5 Impacts • • • • • • • • • • • institutional development. development forincome generation, and skills management, wildlifeconservation, Capacity buildingfor3,939 persons onforest with theaimofpromotinggood governance. Groups, andtheHimalayanAmchi Association Institutional supporttoBZFUGs,EcoClubs,Sister conducted, benefitting120women 6 GoodGovernanceLiteracyClasses(GLC) yearineachoftheBZFUGsandBZMC every Public auditingandpublichearingscarriedout systems distributed 726 improvedcookingstoveswith100backboiler covering allhouseholdsinUpperDolpa 692 SolarHomeSystemsforlightingdistributed, Lower Dolpa carriedoutin 4 microhydrofeasibilitysurveys respectively) 50 KW, benefitting180and149households hydro projectof35KWand1gridextension 2 hydroelectricityprojectscompleted(1micro outside Dolpa tours 75 peoplebenefittedfromobservation/study mobilized 3 MAPsManagementCommitteesformedand involving 2,064memberhouseholds 20 BZFUGsmanaging6,071haforestarea,
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 13 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 14 1996-2008 A Retrospective linked withlivelihoodsandhealthcare. valuable NTFPforfuturegenerations.Especiallywhen interest inprotectingmedicinalplantsandother students, andlaypersonshaskindledrenewed ofmedicinalplantstoAmchis, sustainable harvesting addition, theteachingofuses,cultivationand ofsnowleopardswithpride.In the conservation anti-poaching units,communitymembersnowview monitoring ofhabitatandpreyspeciesforming out having theirawarenessraised,regularlycarrying has enabledrespectforthisrareanimaltogrow. By better abletokeepoutpredators,afeelingofsecurity snow leopardsaswellhelpingconstructpens for compensationlivestockkilledorinjuredby (SLCCs) andprovidinglivestockinsuranceschemes Committees forming SnowLeopardConservation action.Through are lesslikelytotakeretaliatory better abletoprotecttheirlivestockfromattack,they aware ofthevalueallgods'creatures,andare relationship betweenspeciesandhumans,become understand theimportanceofnatureand NMCP hasdemonstratedthatoncepeople SpeciesConservation 5.2 • • • • Achievements monitoring snowleopardsandmaintaining Community-based mechanismandpracticefor SLIMS guidelineprepared,updatedandpublished System (SLIMS) using SnowLeopardInformationManagement capable ofmonitoringsnowleopardthrough 14 localpersonshavebeentrainedandare and Mugu (SLCC) formedandstrengthenedinbothDolpa Committees 9 SnowLeopardConservation Teaching localsaboutsnowleopardconservation • • • • • • • • • • operated villages -atotalof1,359households. This brought tothedoorstepofwomen inallprogramme allowing easy, smallsaving andcreditfacilitiestobe Sister SavingandCreditGroups wereformed, anddevelopmentactivities.Fiftythree conservation terms oflocalhealthcareandin important toincreasethecapacityofwomenbothin overseeing thefamily'soverallhealth,itisseenas are involvedineducatingtheirchildrenand environment. Aswomentakecareofthehousehold, thesurrounding the sametime,conserving addressing communities'livelihoodissuesand,at done throughinvolvinglocalpeopleinconservation, Thiscanonly be responsibility forconservation. protected areastoenablethemtakelongterm to involvecommunitieslivinginsideandaround withcommunitydevelopmentinorder conservation One ofthemajoraimsWWFNepalistointegrate SustainableDevelopment 5.3 • leopards establishedthroughmobilizingSLCCs records ofdepredationlivestockbysnow and published knowledge onitsattributesandusedocumented Medicinal andaromaticplantslocal (Rimi, Pahada,Tripurakot andPhoksundo ) 5 medicinalplantcultivationsitesestablished micro-hydro test,livestockdepredationetc) check listdevelopment,watertesting,small 21 studiesconductedonvarioustopics(egbird the Anti-poachingUnits Supported fieldgeartoparkstaffstrengthen depredation incidentsand720recorded conductedtoidentifythelivestock Survey Upper Dolpa 3 LivestockInsuranceSchemesestablishedin carried out 5 snowleopardtransectmonitoringsurveys prey base(bluesheep)andmedicinalplants Regular monitoringcarriedoutforsnowleopard Operation unitswithfieldequipment Supported Community-BasedAnti-Poaching (CBAPO) unitsformedandstrengthened 6 Community-BasedAnti-PoachingOperation ethnobotany ofthecountry. publications, inspiringrenewedinterestinthe workshops, seminars,exchangevisits,and activities andresearch disseminatedthrough The findingsofthePeopleandPlantInitiative(PPI) • • • • • • • • • • • Achievements especially amongchildren. infectionsarealsoreduced, and acuterespiratory With thereductioninthisindoorairpollution,eye lighting andlargequantitiesoffirewoodforcooking. pollution traditionallycausedbyusingpinechipsfor of theareabutalsoreducesamountindoorair thetrees has notonlylongtermpotentialtoconserve namely solarlightingandimprovedcookingstoves, The introductionofalternativeenergysources, benefits tothearea. destination, whichwillalsobringaboutmaterial for thefullerdevelopmentofDolpaasatourist lodge managementtraininghassetthegroundwork such astrails,bridgesandcampsites,alongwith The developmentofabasictouristinfrastructure, development activities. and Sister Groupsetcaswellinconservation making rolesininstitutionssuchasUserGroups, encouraged andsupportedthemtotakeupdecision such asthepoor, DalitsandJanajatigroupshas training towomenandotherdisadvantagedgroups in raisingtheincomeoftheirhousehold.Providing Off farmactivitieshaveenabledwomentoparticipate has almostnocreditfacilities. Dolpa whichoftensuffersfromcashshortagesand is especiallyvaluableasthereonlyonebankin renovated 9 improvedwater millsconstructedand 2 seabuckthorn andjatamasi Research studycarriedoutonYasargumba, stipends togirls An endowmentfundestablished tosupport 10 campsitessupportedfortourism 2 hotelmanagementtrainingsconducted covering 380households 2 THCCsupportedinDhoandPhoksundo vegetable farming 100 householdsbenefitedfromoff-season as carpetweaving 105 householdsbenefitedfromoff-farmIGAsuch such asfruittreeplantations 422 householdsbenefitedfromforestbasedIGA programmes based incomegeneratingactivity(IGA) groups, in161households,supportedagro- Nrs 3,383,560.00savedbytheSisterGroups17 53 SisterGroupsformedandstrengthened the productionofvideofilmssuchas"Amchi"and strengthened thesenewnetworks.Inaddition,with to otherdistrictsandvisitsbyofficialsDolpahave they arenotfacinguniquedifficulties.Studytours level, hasbroughtaboutafeelingwithintheareathat as wellbetweenAmchisatdistrictandnational most part,dispelled.NetworkingbetweenEcoClubs, establishment ofthepark(1998)hasbeen,for between parkandcommunityatthetimeof relationships havebeenimprovedandconflictfelt the capacityofparkstaff,park/community andrelatedtopics.Bybuilding locals onconservation booklets, signboardsandnewsletterstoeducate provided non-formaleducationandproduced scholarships forgirlsandtraineeAmchis,NMCPhas capacity ofparkstaff.Aswellasproviding eco clubs,stipendsforgirlstudents,andaidingthe educationto marketing ofNTFPs,toconservation anti-poachingand training inforestconservation, Capacity buildinghastakenmanyforms,from CommunicationandEducation 5.4 Sister Gr Sister Gr to payamedicalbillorbuynewgoat. when required foraspecificpurpose,example save onaweeklyormonthlybasisanddrawmoney that ofsavingsandcredit, allowingmembers to education. Onerole thegroup oftentakesonis in project activitiessuchastrainingandnon-formal from eachotherandparticipate can gainsupport groups consistofinterested community womenwho or, inthecaseofDolpa,SisterGroups. These women's groups, oftenknownasMotherGroups arecommon committeesorgroups theyhelpform functional committeesasrequired. Onethemost registered, legalbodiesthathavetherighttoform Buffer ZoneUserCommitteesare formally Sister Gr Sister Gr Sister Gr Meeting withSister GroupinUpperDolpa oups oups oups oups oups
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 15 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 16 1996-2008 A Retrospective • Achievements uniqueness ofDolpaisbeinghighlightedtotheworld. and theincreaseinnumberoftourists, the commercial film"Himalaya"("Caravan"inNepal) • • • • • • • • • • • • Mrs JanaBuda,far Mrs JanaBuda,far Mrs JanaBuda,far withtheeducationofmydaughter-betterlatethannever!" starting stereotypes anddiscriminationbefore, butnowIdoandammakinganeffort tochangethingsforthebetter, after booksandpencils,notlivestock!Theclasswasaneye-openerforme.Ihadthoughtaboutgender girls. My14yearolddaughterSamjhanaisnowattendingschool.Before shewasaherder butnowshelooks ofeducation,evenfor educationclassIrealise theimportance inanon-formal "Now thatIhaveparticipated Mrs JanaBuda,far Mrs JanaBuda,far Nepali fromearly2002tomid2007 Quarterly "Phoksundo"newslettersproducedin Amchi studentssupportedwithscholarships and4local 3 Amchisfullysupportedforservices, participants benefited 17 advancedNFEclassesconductedwhere216 conducted, where1,146participantsbenefited 58 basicnon-formaleducation(NFE)classes Network amongecoclubsestablished community based) 46 EcoClubsestablish(28inschools,18 42 girlsandboyssupportedforscholarships 53 sistersgroupsformedandsupported conducted benefited120women 6 GLC(GoodGovernanceLiteracyClasses) Governance relatedmaterialspublished booksandaudiovisualshows conservation signboards,snowleopard conservation educationprovidedthrough Conservation Environment Journalists(NEFEJ) an agreementwithNepalFederationof Video magazineairedonNepalTelevision through "Amchi" videoproduced mer andmemberofHamaliSisterGr mer andmemberofHamaliSisterGr mer andmemberofHamaliSisterGr mer andmemberofHamaliSisterGr mer andmemberofHamaliSisterGr • • • • • • • • • Achievements this area. of put intoplacetoensurethefutureconservation through ourpartner, FECOFUN,policieshavebeen advocacy campaignsatalllevelsbyBZFUGs implementation oftheSPNPManagementPlanand tours forpolicymakersdidtakeplace.Withthe level stakeholdersdidimproveandobservation coordination betweenlocal,districtandnational not followedup.Despitetheconflict,however, Maoist/ governmentconflictinthe2000's,thiswas With theincreasedhostileactivitiesduring asaWorldSPNP wasputforward HeritageSite. With itsdiverserangeofwildanimalsandplants, PolicyandAdvocacy 5.5 • • oup, Maddhu,T oup, Maddhu,T oup, Maddhu,T oup, Maddhu,T oup, Maddhu,T people 411 andinstitutionalstrengtheningfor1,316 education for420,communitydevelopment 710 inincomegeneratingactivities,providing Capacity buildingfor3,939personsincluding persons 34 awarenessraisingprogrammesfor5,670 benefiting, 68persons focused NFEclassesconductedinupperDolpa 2 herder'seducationandsnowleopard through theHAA Amchi traditionandcurriculumdevelopment Association (HAA)Amchinetworkestablished 1 institutionalsupporttotheHimalayaAmchi Local, districtandnationallevel networksinplace BZFUGs operations Support toBufferZoneUser Committees and Gazetting ofBufferZonein1998 supported endorsed bytheGovernmentofNepal SPNP BZManagementPlanpreparedand toursforpolicymakerscarriedout Observation Festival Phoksundo Conservation Supported localcommunitytoconductthe ripurakot VDC ripurakot VDC ripurakot VDC ripurakot VDC ripurakot VDC the followingsections. education, andpolicyadvocacy, asisclearin sustainable development,communicationand interlinked, andhavethecross-cuttingissuesof areinter-relatedand speciesconservation and The majorprojectcategoriesofforestconservation ProgrammeActivities 6.2 resources conservation. stakeholders tostrengthengovernanceofnatural improving coordinationandcollaborationamong achieving sustainableuseofplantresources and healthcare, systems ofmedicinalplantsandprimary increases localincome,strengtheningmanagement promoting sustainableeconomicgrowththat in theprotectedareaandbufferzonethrough initiatives integrated developmentandconservation out users groups,NGOsandSPNPstafftocarry of SPNPbystrengtheningthecapabilitieslocal thebiodiversity objectiveistoconserve The primary Objective 6.1 Source:CommunityForestDivision,DepartmentofForest, 2008 5 6 Programme Details Operation Plans(FOPs)which aidtheconservation, addition, BZFUGsweresupported toreviseForest In management andbiodiversityconservation. enabling themtobecapableofsustainableforest with capacitybuildingandothertrainingbyNMCP, in SPNPBZ.Today, 18BZFUGshavebeenprovided insustainable natural resource management forestry also adoptedthestrategyofpromotioncommunity over1.6 millionhouseholds.Inthisregard,NMCPhad have amembershipofmorethan14,000CFUGs,or (FECOFUN), oneofourpartnersintheNMCP, who Users,Nepal Federation ofCommunityForestry network islargelyasaresultoftheformation covering 1.2millionhectare the mostwidespreadcivilsocietygroupnetwork, Community ForestUserGroups(CFUGs)arecurrently around naturalresources managementanduse. community-based organisationandmobilization hasbeenatthevanguardof Community forestry Objective 1: ForestConservation 6.2.1 management through forest user groups and buffer and groups user forest through management zone users committees users zone
Community-based natural resource natural Community-based 5 offorests.Thisextensive
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 17 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 18 1996-2008 A Retrospective increase forestcoverage,severalstepsweretaken:- fuel, light,andconstructionmaterials.Inorderto provide fodderaswellbeingasource ofcooking resulted inpressureonlocalforestsDolpato Restriction onaccesstograzingpasturesinTibet Objective 2: manage rangelandsandpastures. Management Committeeswerealsoformedto monitoring ofnaturalresources. Rangeland sustainable management,registrationand Dolpa, suchasNimaro( seeds offoddertreespeciesbroughtfromoutside considerable. Trials, however, showedthat many damaged forestareas,demandforseedlingsgrew term, withthepossibilityofenablingthemtorestore planting offruittreeswouldbenefittheminthelonger to realisehowthereplantingofforestsand fodder andothertreesaplings.Ascommunitiescame provided. Thesecommunitynurseriesalsogrewfruit, support, supportforskilledlabourandseedlings as thatatRumavillage,withirrigationpipes,technical Nurseries wereestablishedoncommunitylandsuch plantations and Nurseries and Dhoprovidingaregular supplyofmedicinal Traditional HealthCareCentre(THCC)atPhoksundo wasplantedatthe aromatic plants(MAPs)nursery and sustainabilityofthespecies. Amedicinaland plants wereplantedinpasturelandsforthecultivation tree, salixfortheupperregions.Selectedmedicinal walnut treesfornutsLowerDolpaandthetimber thus nurseriesconcentratedonpinesfortimberand Khaniyo ( forest coverage forest Ficus semicordata Ficus Nursery
Nurseries and plantations to increase to plantations and Nurseries Ficus nemoralis Ficus ) werenotsuccessful,and ) andRai hydro schemesinthefuture. out toenablecommunitiesmanagethemicro training tobusinessplanpreparation,werecarried Capacity buildingactivities,rangingfromtechnical generating workandstudentsstudyintheevening. TV; womenhavemoretimetoparticipateinincome there isanincreasedawarenessthroughaccessto in thesocio-economicstatusofarea,forexample and fuelwoodconsumption,contributedtoachange benefited. Thishashelpedreducepressureonforest addition, acommunityof65Dalithouseholdsalso in RumaandMaddhuGaunofthesameVDC.In the otheragridextensionbenefiting149households Kota, GalliandRallivillagesofTripurakot VDC,and a microhydro35KW, benefiting180householdsin Two hydro electricityprojectswerecarriedout.One hydro Micro to hydropowerenergy. households inLowerDolpawhich arenotconnected Upper Dolpahavesolarlighting alongwith into households.Today all thehouseholds(692)in promote betterhealth,solarlightswereintroduced treesand of smokeproduced.Inordertoconserve affected thehealthofhouseholdsthroughamount the degradationofforests,thismethodlighting perhaps formanydays.Aswellascontributingto kerosene wastooexpensivetopurchase andcarry, stoves the home.Eveninmoremoderntimesfuel,suchas cooking Traditionallyimproved pinetreeswere usedtoprovidelightin and lights Solar for traditionaltreatments. plants tobemadeintomedicinesusedbyAmchis Mr Mr Mr for tree year." plantationincreasing every see patchesoftrees inUpperDolpa,withthetrend became involvedinplantationandtodayyoucan Dolpa tocollecttimberforhousesetc.Laterothers available meanstheywon'thavetotravelLower 15 yearsafterplanting,thetimberthatwillbe persevered andnowhisneighboursrealise that10- from thelocalcommunitieswashigh.Buthe whenhereachedwere dry there, andresistance thefirstbatch which took15days.Butunfortunately saplings toUpperDolpa.Hecarriedthembyyak, Dolpa, itispine.ThinleyLamawasthefirsttobring Dolpa salixtrees workbest,whereas inLower several different speciesandfoundthatforUpper life.Sowehadtoexperiment with tosupport dry height, theground undertheirroots becomestoo if itisirrigated whentheplantsgettoacertain forgoodplantationsandeven "The landistoodry Mr Mr . DhanRai,WWFNepal . DhanRai,WWFNepal . DhanRai,WWFNepal . DhanRai,WWFNepal . DhanRai,WWFNepal Conservation Project,greatlyimprovingworking Conservation Phoksundo NationalParkthroughitsSnowLeopard in developinghumanresources intheShey blue sheep.WWF'ssupporthasbeeninstrumental snow leopardandtheDhorpatanareaisvitalto The SheyPhoksundoRegionisakeyhabitatforthe Project2006-2008 Snow LeopardConservation SpeciesConservation 6.2.2 subsidized cost. modified andintroducedtootherhouseholdsata feedback byhouseholds,themorerecentICSwere heat generationintheroom.Basedonrecorded with backboilerstoprovidehotwaterandgreater of smokeinthehome,andcanbeeasilyadapted amount offirewoodrequired,reducingthe into 726households.Theseworkbyreducingthe Improved cookingstoves(ICS)werealsointroduced www.panda.org 6 day," ThinleyLama,starofthefilmHimalaya "The firsttimeIsawsolarlights,itfeltlikenightwas Local ladywithhernewICS Snow Leopard • Objectives: participation foritsprotection. inNepalandpromotepublic conservation snow leopard Create aninformationbaseforactionplan Goal: habitat. ofsnowleopardsandtheir about theconservation where itispossibleforthemtounderstandandcare project aimstobringthelocalcommunitiesapoint elevating thelivingstandardsoflocalpeople management ofthenaturalresources ofSPNPand conditions forparkguards.Throughthe the districtsofMustang,Mugu, HumlaandDolpa.It distributed alongthenorthern bordersofNepal,in 350-500, or10%ofthetotal world population,are leopards leftinthewild.Ofthese beautifulcreatures, It isestimatedthereareonly4,510-7,350 1: Objective • • • • • leopard/ prey species/ habitat conservation habitat species/ prey leopard/ eastern part (Kanchenjunga Conservation Area). eastern part(KanchenjungaConservation Area)andthenorth- (Annapurna Conservation western part(SPNP),thenorth-central critical snowleopardhabitatareasiethenorth- with localcommunities,inthreephasescovering its preyspeciesandhabitats,includinginteractions onthesnowleopard, Complete aseriesofsurveys information. correct andsocio-economicallyrelevant in Nepalbasedonscientifically conservation Develop anactionplanforlongtermsnowleopard the co-existenceoflivestockandsnowleopard. Develop amechanismofpublicparticipationfor protection ofthespecies. Develop publicawarenessprogrammesforthe instruments. equipmentand training andprovisionofsurvey throughin-country for snowleopardsurvey professionals andfieldlevelwildlifetechnicians Establish acadreofwell-equippednational ISLT. Management System(SLIMS)adoptedbythe with linesoftheSnowLeopardInformation and habitatsinanadaptedformatstyledalong its preyspecies Create aninformationbaseontheSnowLeopard,
Awareness and mobilization for snow for mobilization and Awareness 6 snow
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 19 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 20 1996-2008 A Retrospective the SchemeManagement Committeewhoreceive maintain thefund.Farmersplace theirclaimswith committee. NMCPprovidea topping-upgrantto per livestockhead,asagreed bythemanagement Participating householdspayan insurancepremium learned andbestpractisesinKanchanjunga. replicated inSPNPbasedonitssuccess,lessons Areaand piloted intheKanchanjungaConservation killing.Thisschemewas order toavoidretaliatory for livestockkilledorinjuredbyasnowleopardin Scheme Livestock InsuranceSchemesprovidecompensation Insurance Livestock of NepalandTibet. border marketexistsbetweenthenorthern and thusarevaluabletopoachers,anillicittrans- well asfordecorativefurnitureandtraditionalattire, parts areusedinTraditional Chinesemedicineas In addition,snowleopardpelts,bones,andbody and thisisoneofthemainthreatstotheirsurvival. known tokillsheepgoats,horsesandyakcalves, causing snowleopard-humanconflict.Theyare encounter ratesandineffectiveguardingbyherders, predators, theyoftenkilllivestockduetohigh pressure. Assnowleopardsareopportunistic the snowleopardshabitatcontinuesduetograzing density oflivestockingrazingareas.Degradation killings, poaching,andlossofhabitatduetohigh conflict betweenlivestockdepredationandretaliatory leopard, itslong-termviabilityisthreatenedbythe Despite Nepal'scontinualefforttosavethesnow in SheyPhuksundoNationalPark. is estimatedthatthereare110-154snowleopards programme wasestablished. care injured bysnowleopards,aveterinary VDCs. To furthermitigate loss amongstlivestock rate highlighteddepredationhotspotsindifferent and livestockinventoriestomonitoritsdepredation took placeaswellawarenesstrainingforherders The constructionofleopardpooflivestockpensalso is killedbyasnowleopard. appropriate capacitybuildingtraining,iftheirlivestock the future.The parkitselfisalsoinvolved in anti- will continuetopatrol,monitor andcurbpoachingin training,CBAPO awareness raisingandconservation supported byNMCP. With the accompanying Anti-poaching OperationUnits (CBAPOs), formedand community tooktheleadthroughCommunityBased extent oftheareainvolved,itwasvitalthat control poaching.Duetothedifficultterrainand To thisend,anti-poachingunitswereestablishedto deer muskpods,itisvitaltoprotecttheseanimals. other parts,demandforbluesheepmeatandmusk With highdemandforsnowleopardbones,peltsand Anti-poaching km there wasanestimated5-7snowleopardsper100 formed bytheproject.Indicatorsarethatin2007 of theeightSnowLeopardConservationCommittees monitored bytheparkauthoritiesaswellmembers Snow leopard,theirpreyandhabitatwereregularly 2: Objective prey species prey 2 inSPNP.
Regular monitoring of snow leopard and leopard snow of monitoring Regular through Buffer Zone UserCommittees,exploitation Management With theestablishmentof buffer zone,managed Resource Pasture Conservation". Dolpa, Amchi'sKnowledgeandPractices,Trade and the publicationofa"BookonMedicinalPlants SPNP werecarriedoutwithinPPIwhichincluded on thesocio-economicandbiologicalfeaturesof Studies livelihoods asitpertainstoconservation. addressing issuesconcerningpeopleandtheir information onsocio-economyisalsocrucialfor regarding thedartingofanimals.Collecting this couldnotbecarriedoutduetoreservations leopard movementthroughradiocollaring.However, monitored. Therewereplanstomonitorsnow numbers andmovementsinpastureswasalso livestock grazing andmedicinalplantharvesting; and managementofpastures,includingrotational leopard preybaseandanassessmentofrangelands of thesnow including abirdchecklist;andsurvey which pinpointedtherangeofspeciesinarea, were carriedoutinSPNPincludingawildlifecensus biodiversity. anddatacollections Several surveys is fundamentaltogatherscientificinformationon In ordertomanageeffectivelyanyprotectedarea,it 3: Objective impossible forthemtodosoalone. the smallnumberofstaffpersonnelmakesit poaching activitiesbutthesheersizeofareaand and socio-economic features of SPNP and buffer and SPNP of features socio-economic and zone Mr Mr Mr so theycanhelpkeepalookoutforpoachers," working toraisetheawareness ofthelocalpeople been killedinrecent times.NowweattheParkare side. Inthatarea Iknow6or7snowleopards have Langur Valley hastobeentered bytheMuguDistrict access, nevermindmonitor. Forexamplethe Some areas difficult oftheparkare toeven very have this,these12femaleswere killedneedlessly. was tocollectthemuskpodsandsinceonlymales musk deer, 12beingfemale.Thereason tokillthem I remember oncethatapoachingteamkilled18 bad. During theinsurgencypoachingwasvery mostly aboutpoaching,buttheystillneedmore. WWF hasprovided themsomeawareness training, training orknowledgeaboutconservation.Iknow the parkagainstpoachersbuttheydon'thave There personnelsupposedtoguard are 200army filled. Noonewantstoworkinthisremote area. "I havesixrangerpositionsbutonlytwoare currently Mr Mr . GaneshPant,W . GaneshPant,W . GaneshPant,W . GaneshPant,W . GaneshPant,W Develop database system on biological on system database Develop ar ar ar ar ar den, SPNP den, SPNP den, SPNP den, SPNP den, SPNP harvesting periodofMay/Juneanddountold harvesting people comefromneighbouringdistrictsduringthe ofthisspeciesliterallythousands harvesting amount ofmoneythatcanbegainedfromthe example thecaseofYarsagumba. Withthelarge interest inpastureresource management.Take for of resources hasbeenreducedthroughtherenewed Summer Grass,WinterInsect Summer Grass,WinterInsect months ofMay/June. vibrating slightly, attractingharvestersduringthe by thefungus,itremains alive,itsthinyellowstalk upwards through theirhead.Untilitdies,exhausted growing cordyceps mushroom landonsomeofthem, caterpillars feedonthepastureland spores ofthe lays itseggswhichhatchintolarvae.Asthe begins inthespringwhenLepidopteramoth alpine areas ataround 4,000metres. Itslifecycle winter insect"andisonlyfoundintheHimalaya Yarsagumba literallytranslatesto"summergrass, Summer Grass,WinterInsect Summer Grass,WinterInsect Summer Grass,WinterInsect
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 21 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 22 1996-2008 A Retrospective .. SustainableDevelopment 6.2.3 government. in termsoffirmregulationsneedstocomefromthe However, thereismuchworktobedoneandsupport community tobettermanagepastureresources. ontheenvironment)isenabling and harvesters and CBAPOs(whomonitortheimpactofharvesting Clubs (whocollectthegarbagecreatedbyharvesters) capacity buildingandforminggroupssuchasEco environment. NMCP, byprovidingawarenessraising, Yarsagumba andtothesurroundingplants damage toboththelongtermsustainabilityof land inDolpais decliningduetothepoorirrigation The productivity ofthesmallparcels ofagricultural 2: Objective non-formal educationclasses(NFE). health andhygieneissues,creditsavings Committee atDunaiforcarpetweaving,butalsoon as linkingwithCottageandCraftDevelopment was providednotonlyonlivelihoodactivitiessuch Through theestablishmentofSisterGroups,training traditional medicine. case ofplantspecies,providingmedicinalplantsfor tourists totheareaaswellas,forexamplein animal speciesmayattractresearchers, tradersand management ofNTFPandprotectionplant benefits thecommunityinlongrun.Better ofthebiodiversity aware astohowconservation educational elementenablingthemtobecomemore activitiesaswellincludingan board conservation ability tobeinabetterfinancialpositiontakeon to improvetheirlivelihoods.Thisalsogavethemthe disadvantaged groups,NMCPgavethemameans particularlyforwomen and with conservation, subsistence level.Bylinkingsustainablelivelihoods species foundthereiftheythemselvesarelivingat andprotecttheland communities toconserve impacts ontheirlives.Itisunreasonabletoexpect demonstrate howthebiodiversityoftheirarea ofbiodiversityisto people intheconservation It hasbeenidentifiedthatthebestwaytoinvolve 1: Objective income generation and improved and generation income and women of making decision nutrition and conservation in groups disadvantaged development activities development Increase women’s development and development women’s Increase Agro-forestry support for additional for support Agro-forestry Objective 3: Objective assist households. farmer’appointedineachvillageto ‘conservation end seedlingsandseedsweredistributeda and fruitplantationsalongtrekkingroutestothis opportunity existedtopromotevegetablefarming outwith theprogrammes’capacity. Asmall required scalerequireshugeresources andwas was notpossibleandpromotingtourismonthe limitedarableland,promotingagriculture With very needsoftheirsurroundings. and theconservation people toconsiderboththeirownnutritionalneeds and livelihoodimprovementactivities,encouraged limited foodcrops,NMCP, throughawarenessraising With limitedaccesstoincomesources andthese that figureincreasestomorethan80%. for almostsixmonthsofeachyear. InUpperDolpa found that52%ofthepopulationwerefooddeficient added wheat,paddy, andmaize.Samplestudies buckwheat. InLowerDolpacropsaresimilarwith on limited,singlecropsofpotatoes,barley, milletor buffer zonewerefoundtobefooddeficient,relying challenges. Thus,themajorityofhouseholdsin support hasbeeninadequatetoaddressthese limited amountofoutsidetechnical rainfall. Thevery systems, poorsoilfertility, extremeclimatesandlow of buffer zone user committees user zone buffer of for conservation and development activities development and conservation for 2006 A 2006 A Gr Gr Mrs. LaxmiThapa,ChairpersonofT Mrs. LaxmiThapa,ChairpersonofT 2006 A Gr Mrs. LaxmiThapa,ChairpersonofT goes tocollectYarsagumba other groups helpuswiththat.Whenmygroup group tostoppoachersand account.We alsotry more thanRs10,000infineswhichweputintoour their housesandfinethem.Intotalwecollected people tostopcuttingtrees ishugework,wegoto trees, BZFUGsandEcoClubs.Getting supporting ways. Muchofourworkisstoppingpeoplecutting things are goingwell;weare inour more modern control. Village developmenttotallystopped.Now properly, trees werecut–thesituationwasoutof even thinkorworkwell.Moneywasn’t used meetings hadtobecancelled,andwecouldnot During theconflictthere were manyproblems, otherwise. WWFgaveusmoneytohelplearn. group hard hadtoworkvery toconvincethem national parkwithitsrulesandregulations soour Before thattimepeoplewere thinkingbadlyofthe ourSistersGroup.“WWF gaveushelptostart 2006 A 2006 A Gr Gr Mrs. LaxmiThapa,ChairpersonofT Mrs. LaxmiThapa,ChairpersonofT a savings and credit fund. The sisters made me made sisters The fund. credit and savings a president as I am more educated than others. than educated more am I as president Although we are women, we don’t want to be behind be to want don’t we women, are we Although oup, teacherandInter oup, teacherandInter oup, teacherandInter oup, teacherandInter oup, teacherandInter men!” war war war war war Institutionalization and capacity building capacity and Institutionalization d W d W d W d W d W inner inner inner inner inner national W national W national W national W national W the money is put into put is money the ripura Sisters ripura Sisters ripura Sisters ripura Sisters ripura Sisters omen’ omen’ omen’ omen’ omen’ s Day s Day s Day s Day s Day armed-conflict, moreexposuretotheoutside world environment butwithchanging times,theimpactof Traditional waysofliferespected nature andthe 4: Objective ensures longterminstitutionalsustainability. and strengthentrustofcommunityinstitutionsthat of availableresource; increasepeople’s participation management wastomakeeffectiveandefficientuse Promotion ofgoodgovernanceinnaturalresource existed, committees zone buffer the Before government. the BZUCswereprepared,andendorsedby Zone Committee’s experience.Operationalplansof to getpracticalideasfirsthandfromotherBuffer toursofotherparkswereconducted and observation Buffer ZoneManagementCouncil(BZMC).Training form BufferZoneUserCommittees(BZUC)andthe considerable timeandefforttoorientlocalpeople declaration whichmaterializedin1998.Ittook people totaketheinitiativeexpeditebufferzone The programmesupportedtheSPNPandlocal Community Forests Groups (FUGs); Sister Groups Sister (FUGs); Groups Forests Community programme and community sanitation programmes sanitation community and programme in and around SPNP and its buffer zone area zone buffer its and SPNP around and in for saving and credit; Eco Clubs; Traditional Health Traditional Clubs; Eco credit; and saving for Care Committees (THCC); Snow leopard Snow (THCC); Committees Care Conservation Committees (SLCC), and Rangeland and (SLCC), Committees Conservation Management Committees already formed were formed already Committees Management brought under the BZUC structure as per Buffer Zone Buffer per as structure BZUC the under brought Regulation of the Government of Nepal, and Nepal, of Government the of Regulation registered in the park to ensure legality, better legality, ensure to park the in registered linkages and coordination. and linkages Salix treesplantedinVijer Provide environmental awareness environmental Provide biodiversity. of environment anddemonstratedconservation have includedteachingsonthevalueof study tours,andtherevisionofFOPs,allwhich BZFUGs havebeeninvolvedinplantations,nurseries, now ahabitinmosthomes. Eco Clubstokeepindividualhouseholdsclean,is community latrinesandwhatstartedaspressureby and villagesarekeptclean.Today mostvillageshave pasture areasandmakingsuretheirownhouseholds activities andEcoClubsareactiveincleaningup Groups havebeeninvolvedinhealthandhygiene and awarenesstraining.BothEcoClubsSister and EcoClubs,providingthemwithcapacitybuilding linking withgroups,suchasBZFUGs,SisterGroups of environmentalandsanitationissuesthrough In thesameway, NMCPhasincreasedtheawareness has helpedreviveinterestinthisancientartofhealing. providing scholarshipsforAmchistudents,NMCP establishing aTraditional HealthCareCentre,and the Dolpaarea.ThroughworkingwithAmchis, cash, sometraditionswerefoundtobeerodingin and thedesireforconsumergoodswhichrequire them hasgrown andtheoverallnumberofpatients the capacityofexistingAmchis confidenceamong communities. Inaddition,as a resultofincreasing THCC aswelltheoverallhealth ofneighbouring in termsofwomen’s reproductive healthinthetwo building offemaleAmchishas made arealdifference trainings. Oneresultisthatthetrainingandcapacity capacity buildingofAmchisthroughvarious of theseTHCCs,NMCPequallyemphasizedonthe Care Centres(THCCs).Alongwiththeestablishment traditions wastheestablishmentofTraditional Health care facilitiesthroughinstitutionalizationofAmchi NMCP’s landmarkachievementinpromotinghealth 5: Objective development through capacity building of Amchis of building capacity through development and women and Amchis, practitioners of traditional Tibetan healing, Tibetan traditional of practitioners Amchis, have a rich legacy of knowledge of medicinal plants medicinal of knowledge of legacy rich a have and their use. The major thrust of NMCP’s effort in effort NMCP’s of thrust major The use. their and conserving and institutionalizing this legacy is to is legacy this institutionalizing and conserving promote wise use of medicinal plants, and, at the at and, plants, medicinal of use wise promote same time, enhance health care services to the people the to services care health enhance time, same of Dolpa since modern health care services and services care health modern since Dolpa of facilities are almost non-existent in the area. the in non-existent almost are facilities Supporting local health care health local Supporting
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 23 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 24 1996-2008 A Retrospective Source:NepalHumanDevelopment Report2004EmpowermentandPovertyReductionUNDP 7 here of29% literacy standingatlessthanthe2004figurequoted girls fromallgroups,lackededucation.Withadult schooling. Childrenfromdisadvantagedgroupsand littleeducationofanykind,including was very educationinDolpa.Infactthere no conservation Programme (NMCP)beganitsactivities,therewas Until theNorthernMountainConservation Building andCommunication Education,Capacity Conservation 6.2.4 Dolpo arealsosupportingTHCCservices. remunerations ofAmchis,FriendsDopoandAction run theclinics.Now, VDCsareregularlyfundingthe endowment fundequivalenttoNRs12,000,000 Currently, THCCsareefficientlymanaging sustainability inrunningclinicsthefuture. endowment fundsinordertoensuretheirfinancial THCCs wereprovidedwithsupporttoestablish improvement inhouseholdhealthisalsoseen. family healthandwomen’s health,anoverall women withbasichealtheducation,suchashygiene, seen hasincreased.Linkingthiswithproviding classes toitsprogramme area, targetingthe NMCP introducednon-formal education(NFE) literacy. National Parkfell20%belowthenationalaveragein Lower Dolpa,theareaaroundSheyPhoksumdo differences betweenmenandwomenorUpper 7 , whichdoesnottakeintoaccountthe from theprogrammearea. news three monthswhichhighlightedconservation within Dolpaofanewslettercalled"Phoksundo"every Meena cartoon,andthepublicationdistribution material inTibetan language,theuseofwell-know Education toolswereappliedsuchaslearning knowledge. building skillstoenablethemutilizethis educationandcapacity provided withconservation personnel, BZFUGmembersandAmchiswereall poaching OperationUnits(CBAPOs),parkstaff,army Community BasedAnti- daylife. education intoevery made iteasiertointroducethetopicofconservation of groupssuchasSistersGroupsandEchoClubs, traditional healing.This,alongwiththeestablishment Amchi studentstoenablethemstudythis stipends forbothgirlsingeneraleducation,and disadvantaged andwomen.Italsointroduced survive without relyingheavilyontheirsurrounding survive rugged areassuchasDolpa where peoplecannot care oftheenvironmentandecosystem. Inremote, andhelpingtotake Clubs arelearning,observing students andyoungpeoplefromthecommunity. Eco Members and,therefore,mainlyconsistofschool and coordinationofSchoolManagementCommittees Eco Clubshavebeenformedwiththecooperation 1: Objective education Support to eco clubs for conservation for clubs eco to Support www.unicef.org 8 encouraged somemembers oftheyounger Providing stipendstoAmchi studentshas early marriageandchildbearing to improvefamilyhealthandismorelikelyavoid Tapriza. Providinggirlswitheducation isalsoproven boarding schoolsinDunai,Sandang,Dhoand with stipendstohelpenablethemstudyin all development,disadvantagedgirlswereprovided not attendclasses.Sinceeducationisthebasisfor on paperonly. Inrealityteachers,ifevenhired,did In UpperDolpagovernmentschoolsexistedmainly 2: Objective disseminated toahugenumberofpeople messagewasthus valuable, thisconservation being highlyrespectedandtheirteachingsthought ourEarth"writtenonthem.Withlamas Conserve sashes, providedbytheEcoClubs,with"Let's Nepal, IndiaandTibet werewitnesstolamaswearing thousands ofpilgrimsandtouristsfromallover construct simplelatrines.Aspartofthisfestival, properly managedanddemonstratedhowto ensured thegarbagegeneratedbypilgrimswas an awarenessprogrammeatShey. Clubmembers 1999, theEcoClubsofDhoandPhoksundolaunched For example,duringtheweeklongSheyFestivalin conservation. butalsorelatingtocultural conservation acquiring knowledgeandskillsrelatingtonature natural environment,EcoClubmembersarenotonly students Stipends to girl students and Amchi and students girl to Stipends 8 . like-minded people. process andbemoreconvincedthroughtalkingto similar groupsbuttheycouldbetterunderstandthe study toursnotonlycouldtheyseeandinteractwith as Bardia.Bytakingmembersofdifferentgroupson people toothernationalparksandbufferzones,such Management Committee,SisterGroupsandlocal were providedtoparkstaff,theBufferZone way tointernalizeknowledge,trainingandstudytours As learningthroughfirsthandexperienceisthebest is important. and enablingthemtobetterunderstandwhythepark rules andregulationsrelatingtotheNationalPark providing themwithcomprehensivedetailsofthe to theParkProtectionUnit(NepaleseArmy)by of beneficiaries.Forexample,orientationwasgiven capacity buildingwasgiventoenablealargenumber difficult tosustainaftertheprogrammeends.Thus, outandevenmore difficulttocarry activities arevery anddevelopment and individualsconservation Without buildingthecapacityofcommunities,groups 3: Objective inSaldang. at DhoandSahidDharmabhataPrimary BoardingSchool School inPhoksundoMountCrystal schools inUpperDolpanamely, Tapiriza Boarding was introducedintothegeneralstudentbodyatthree knowledge ofmedicinalandaromaticplants(MAPs) medicine asacareer. Amchiandtraditional generation toseriouslyconsiderthepracticeofAmchi plants, hashelpedtonotonly revivethisartinthe on, recordandimprovetheirknowledge ofmedicinal at DhoandPhoksundo, helping Amchisbuild building ofTraditional HealthCareCentres(THCC) Building theoverallcapacityofAmchis,through the artoftraditionalhealingwillnotbelost. to Amchistudents,asmentionedabove,itishoped generation losinginterest.Byprovidingscholarships which isonthevergeofextinctionduetoyounger system inthewesternHimalayanmountainareas Amchi isawidelypracticedtraditionalhealthcare 4: Objective clubs, BZFUGs and women's groups for integrated for groups women's and BZFUGs clubs, Amchi and local women's groups women's local and Amchi conservation and development activities development and conservation Provide capacity building activities for activities building capacity Provide Capacity building for park staff, eco staff, park for building Capacity
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 25 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 26 1996-2008 A Retrospective poaching. related livelihoodopportunities,andevenanti- their daughters'education,accountkeeping,tourism lead indecisionmakingregardingNTFP, familyhealth, outspoken. Insomecasestheyareeventakingthe and womenalike,ingeneralaremore from NMCP. Gender trainingprovidedtobothmen community asaresultofcapacitybuildingreceived Women havebecomemoreactiveatalllevelsinthe and hassincebeenheldin2003. National ConferenceofAmchistookplacein2001 Association". Buildingonthissuccess,thefirst umbrella organisationscalledthe"HimalayanAmchi this workshopwastheestablishmentofanational Amchis fromtheMustangarea.Oneofresults Amchis fromDolpawereaddressedbytwosenior In 1997aworkshopwasorganizedwhereallthe different areas. the establishmentoflinksbetweenAmchis trust andconfidenceinthehealers,buthasenabled eyes ofthelocalcommunityandfurtherbuildtheir into policymakingtoensurethatbestpracticescould links betweenthegroundrealityshouldbefedback Programmegrew,Conservation itwasrealizedthat As learningsfromtheNorthernMountain PolicyandAdvocacy 6.2.5 ways forsustainableharvestingoftheplantsweuseinourmedicines," systems. Forexample,through thetrainingwereceived from WWF, wehavebeenabletomoreclearlyidentify "NowAmchishaveagoodcontactwitheachotherbecauseofnetworking.Ithasstrengthened traditional Objective 1: Objective do justthis,andmore. In 2002,theSAGUNProgrammewasintroducedto such astheparkmanagementplantobeused. coordination atpolicylevel,enablinginstruments to implementactivitiesthatwouldallowfor they achieved.Basedonthisrealization,NMCPbegan communities felttherewasalargerinterestinwhat long termsustainabilityandinorderthat be aneffectivepolicyenvironment,againtoenable to reallybeeffectiveatgrassrootslevel,therehas be sustainable.Likewise,itwasrealizedthatinorder was beingputintoeffectinthecommunitieswould andthatwhat be replicatedthroughoutthecountry stakeholders raisingthelevelofunderstandingand SAGUN hasstrengthenedthecapacitiesofrelevant and avoidduplicationofactivities. activities. Thiswasalsoimportanttoensuresynergy stakeholders thatthiswasincludedintheprogramme needs tobemaintainedwithdistrictandnationallevel realisation thatcoordinationandcommunications and communitylevelonly. Itwasonlyoncethe In theearlyyears,NMCPworkedatpark,bufferzone between local, district and national and district local, between level stakeholders level Communication and coordination and Communication Amchi NamgyalLama,DhoTHCC Amchi NamgyalLama,DhoTHCC Amchi NamgyalLama,DhoTHCC Amchi NamgyalLama,DhoTHCC Amchi NamgyalLama,DhoTHCC WHS wastohighlightitsimportancebothatnational The majorthrusttolobbyfordesignatingSPNPasa culture makesitaprimecandidatefordesignation. uniqueness intermsofecology, biodiversityand Heritage Site(WHS).ItisobviousthatSPNP's taken towardslobbyingfordesignatingSPNPaWorld During theworkingyear1998-99firststepswere 2: Objective levels. implementation ofconservationstrategiesatall Janajati groupsofallaspects,conceptsand especially amongwomen,thepoor, Dalitsand coordination towardsensuringownership, transparency, democraticandtimelycooperation communication betweenthem.Thus,ensuring World Heritage Site Heritage World • • • • Within Nepalthere are already severalWorld HeritageSites:- population inthepreservation oftheirculturalandnaturalheritage: byprovidingproperties ofthelocal technicalassistanceandprofessional training,andencourageparticipation forinclusionontheWorldsites withintheirnationalterritory HeritageList;helpthemtosafeguard World Heritage ensure theprotection totheConventionnominate oftheirnatural andculturalheritage;encourageStateParties UNESCO's World Heritagemissionisto,inbrief,encouragecountriestosigntheWorld HeritageConventionto cultural andnaturalheritageare bothirreplaceable sources oflifeandinspiration".UNESCO "Heritage isourlegacyfrom thepast,whatwelivewithtoday, andwhatwepassontofuture generations.Our and Bhaktapur;Pashupati andChanguNarayan temples, andSwayambuBoudhanath stupas. Kathmandu Valley (1979, 2006)consistingofsevenmonumentzones:DurbarSquares ofKathmandu,Patan of theLord Buddha(1997) Lumbini, theBirthplace Royal ChitwanNationalPark(1984) NationalPark(1979) Sagarmatha Follow up on nomination of SPNP as a as SPNP of nomination on up Follow future activity. this wasshelved.Thisisoneactivityearmarkedfor related totheworldheritagesitenomination,and the field,andcouldnotcompletetheirassignment Dunai, thetechnicalteamhadtoberescuedfrom communities. However, duetoaMaoistattackat development oftourismtobenefitthelocal biodiversity intheareaandatsametime and internationalagenciesinconservationof bring prospectsforincreasinginterestofnational and internationallevel.Bydoingsoitwouldalso key instrumentforimplementingconservation The ManagementPlanofparksandbufferzonesisa 3: Objective SPNP and buffer zone management zone buffer and SPNP plan Endorsement and implementation of implementation and Endorsement
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 27 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 28 1996-2008 A Retrospective Nepal. has sincebeenendorsedbytheGovernmentof The ManagementPlanforSPNPandthebufferzone to provideinformationforpreparationofthePlan. and socio-economicstudieswerealsoconducted communities, stakeholdersandpartners.Biological through rigorousconsultationwiththelocal with financialandtechnicalsupportfromtheNMCP lacked aManagementPlan.Theplanwasdeveloped when NMCPfirstbegan,SPNPanditsbufferzone policies andprogrammesatgroundlevel,however, Overall Objective: Overall Objective: (SAGUN) -November2002June09 (SAGUN) -November2002June09 Utilization ofNaturalResour Utilization ofNaturalResour Strengthened ActionsforGovernancein Strengthened ActionsforGovernancein equitably distributed. and thattheyotherearned revenuesare and transparentwaystothelocal communities natural resourcesaredispersed inaccountable and, inparticular, thatthebenefitsderivedfrom andparticipation; principles ofgoodgovernance of selectedinstitutionsisimproved tomeetthe managed inademocraticway;thatperformance To ensure thatNepal'snaturalresources are Overall Objective: and distribution. and equitableparticipation managed democraticallywithgoodgovernance overall objectiveistoensure naturalresources are NMCP,the sameasthoseforlarger SAGUN's While theprogramme componentsofSAGUNare and RimsNepalworkinginDhadingDistrictonly. comprises ofWWFNepal,CareFECOFUN, final ninemonthsphase.TheSAGUNteam At thetimeofwriting,October08,SAGUNisinits NMCP the of part integral an been has SAGUN (SAGUN) -November2002June09 Utilization ofNaturalResour Strengthened ActionsforGovernancein Overall Objective: Overall Objective: (SAGUN) -November2002June09 (SAGUN) -November2002June09 Utilization ofNaturalResour Utilization ofNaturalResour Strengthened ActionsforGovernancein Strengthened ActionsforGovernancein since its inception in 2002. Its vision is to see good see to is vision Its 2002. in inception its since governance practices internalized by natural by internalized practices governance resource management groups at all levels, all at groups management resource supporting a code of conduct of equity in access in equity of conduct of code a supporting to and benefits from local forest and water and forest local from benefits and to resources, specifically benefiting women and other and women benefiting specifically resources, disadvantaged people, with increasing productivity increasing with people, disadvantaged of natural resources under local transparent and transparent local under resources natural of accountable management, directly supporting directly management, accountable poverty alleviation, rural community development community rural alleviation, poverty and national economic growth. In addition, In growth. economic national and partnerships in natural resource management will management resource natural in partnerships resolve conflicts locally and nationally. and locally conflicts resolve ces Pr ces Pr ces Pr ces Pr ces Pr ogramme ogramme ogramme ogramme ogramme Specific Objectives: Specific Objectives: Specific Objectives: Specific Objectives: Specific Objectives: • • • • • • and otherdisadvantagedgroups. ofwomen sustainability's, andc)participation b)groupbiodiversity conservation, groups, toensure a)resource sustainabilityand capacities ofnaturalresource managementuser andaccountability,governance andtechnical Strengthen theorganisationalstructures, field methodsandimplementationstrategies. and socialdevelopmentconcepts, philosophies, their ownershipofcurrentenvironmental governance civilserviceatlarge(alllevels) and ensure NRM Raise thelevelofunderstandingamong Nepal's development. policy reviewsharing, ande)inform and skillsd)planandmonitorbenefit- governance future strategicplanning, c)enhance concurrent programme implementationb)inform development andsupport,toa)enhance lessons learnedregardinglocalNRMgroup Document anddisseminatebestpractices discourse. inpolicy implementation, andc)participate promote parallelplanning,coordination and andbestpractices,b) a) share lessonslearned stakeholders ofNRMdevelopmentinNepalto Assure more timelycommunication betweenall Objectives No.1and2above. and localelectedbodiestoachieveSpecific with anassistlineagencies,localNRMgroups and ofselectedprivateserviceproviders, towork and userfederations/coalitionsincivilsociety, Strengthen thecapacitiesofrelevant NGOs at higherlevels. District DevelopmentCommittees(DDCs)and Village DevelopmentCommittees(VDCs)and groups, communitieslocallyelectedbodies, benefit andrevenue-sharing withintheirown (such asBZFUGs),andtheircapacitytomonitor of naturalresource management(NRM)groups Strengthen thefinancialmanagementcapacities Amchi makingmedicine • • • • ForestConservation 7.1 Yarsagumba pasturescauseforestfires,over- The hugenumberofpeople enteringthe there areafewpatchesoftrees includingsalix. being transportedfromLower Dolpa.Presently were noforestsinUpperDolpa, withalltimber seedlings toUpperDolpa.Duetheterrainthere and thedifficultiesassociatedwithtransporting oftheland challenges aroseduetothedryness Plantations wereinitiatedinUpperDolpabut five years. and renewedevery to havetheseBZFUGoperationplansreviewed government manpowerandtime,itisachallenge needing renewal.Duetoashortageof FOPs areinplaceforonlyfiveyearsbefore erosion. utilizing areasroundthevillages,resultinginsoil stopped takingthemtoremotepasturesandare with thedecreaseinherdsizes,manypeoplehave the pressureonexistingpastures.Inaddition, transects betweenNepalandTibet hasincreased grazing land,especiallysincetheclosingof management haveputpressureonpasturesand Over grazingandtheoldtraditionalmethodsof 7 Learned Challenges andLessons • • 7.2 SpeciesConservation because ofitsscale. which ishardtomonitorandimpossiblecontrol offuel-wood, poachingofwildlifeetc harvesting aspects, forginglinksbetween theconservation plants andsocio-economicstudies onlivelihood plants, domesticationofcommercially important ofthreatened research onsustainableharvesting The PeopleandPlantInitiative (PPI)conducted scrophularriflora. Nardostachys grandifloraandNeopicrorhiza ecological research onselectedplantssuchas monitor research sitesleadingtofocussing weather constraintsmakeitdifficulttoregularly conflict situation,highaltitudepasturesand biology ofHimalayanmedicinalplants.The understanding oftheecologyandconservation significant implicationindeveloping research carriedout inthisprogrammehashad Himalayan areas,thehighlevelofacademic terms ofhumanandtimeresources inremote As evensimpleresearch canbedemandingin
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 29 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 30 1996-2008 A Retrospective • • • Conservation AwardConservation fortheirachievements. Dho THCCwereawardedthecovetedAbraham in 2004thePhoksundoTHCC,and2006, Demonstratingthisisthefactthat conservation. benefit thecommunityaswellcontributingto traditional knowledgeandpracticescanwork approach. Anotherlessonlearnedisthat activities withsustainabledevelopmentisthebest major lessonlearnedwasthatlinkingconservation A such asbiodiversityandspeciesconservation. and participationin,otherprogrammeactivities community whichthenencouragedawarenessof, youths andgenerallybeingafocalpointinthe encouraging thespreadofAmchimedicineamong ofMAPs, cultivation andsustainableharvesting also beensuccessfulindemonstratingMAPs Health CareCentres(THCCs).TheTHCCshave existent, throughtheestablishmentofTraditional werenon- Upper Dolpawherehealthservices PPI alsoaddressedbasicneeds,especiallyin plans. approaches tomanageNTFPintheiroperational example, BZFUGshaveadoptedethnobotanical situation ofresearch forresearch sake.For the informationandnotjustperpetuating programme implementationinordertofullyutilize of theseresearches havebeenincorporatedinto care withintheparkandbufferzone.Theresults of medicinalplantsandthestrengtheninghealth banned toregulated hasnotsolvedtheproblems The changingofpolicyonYarsagumba from animals. depredation, killsbywilddog andotherwild other thansnowleopards, suchascrop brought aboutduetohuman/wildlifeconflicts, address theneedsanddemandsofpoor for mitigationandcompensationmeasuresto kills bysnowleopardsdoesnotaddresstheneed herders. However, thisschemeonlyappliesto killingofsnowleopardsby to theretaliatory It hasbeeninstrumentalinbringingaboutanend tolerance offarmersfordepredationlivestock. been agoodapproachtoincreaselevelof increasing. TheLivestockInsuranceSchemehas and horsesbywolvessnowleopardsisalso depredation ofsheep,goats,yak/zopkyo,cattle and bears(lowerDolpa)areincreasing.Livestock damaged bybluesheep(upperDolpa),wild-boars growing andconsequentlyincidentsofcrops Wildlife populationsinUpperDolpaarereportedly • Sustainable Development 7.3 *Now studyingforestry attheUniversityofPokhara from Dolpa: List ofawardees ofAbrahamConservationAward conservationists. and motivationespeciallyamongfrontline It hasalsoserved asameanstoraiseawareness contributions toensuringNepal'srichbiodiversity. organisations thathavemadesignificant Award hasrecognized andhonoured peopleand For thepast13yearsAbrahamConservation conservation displayedbyanationalpark staff. struck bythededicationandpassionfor Abraham, aWWFUSBoard member, whowas in 1995through thegenerosity ofMsNancy The AbrahamConservation Award wasestablished 08MrTashi 2008 MrAkhandaUpadhya*,EcoClubMember, 2007 THCCDho,Tarap VDC 2006 B 2005 THCCPhoksundo,PhoksundoVDC 2004 DESERT, DolpabasedNGO 2002 Mr 2000 learned fromNMCP. Forexample,socialservices development issuesisoneof the majorlessons with sustainable Linking conservation subject themselvestoforweeksonend. or simplyduetotheharshlivingconditionsthey to beingunpreparedforthecoldandhighaltitude diedue their safety-eachyearseveralharvesters create sanitationconcernsandabout large quantitiesofnon-biodegradablewaste,and alsobringwiththem of Dolpa.Theharvesters meadows, andthefinancialfutureofpeople safeguarding ofthefragileecosystemalpine over thesustainabilityofYarsagumba, the and surroundingareashaveraisedrealconcerns thousands ofpeoplewhoswarmoverthepastures it hasinitiatedhavenotbeeneffective.The andmarketing)that (including sustainableharvest of revenue,thus,anyeffortsinmanagement government hasshowninterestonlyincollection reduced butpromotedillegalexport.The hasnot of collectingrevenuefromharvesters associated withit.Rather, thegovernmentstrategy worker, SaldangVDC Duai VDC Women's Group ofTripurakot VDC School, DhoTarap abiro DalitDidiBahiniSamuha, Thinley LundupLamaandMtCrystal Gyalzen Lama,Social/Conservation • Resources Management Good GovernanceinNatural 7.4 • • should bereplicatedinotherprogrammesites. implementation ofprogrammeactivities.This beneficialforboththecommunityand is very ofhealthandincomegivingMAPs conservation such asenvironmentalawarenessand needs, inthiscasehealth,withotheractivities demonstrating thatincorporatingmeetingbasic meeting points,especiallyforwomen, THCCs becamealmostinformalcommunity spread throughoutwholecommunities.The awareness wasnotlimitedtoEcoClubsbut steadily increased,anditwasfoundenvironmental Groups andEcoClubs.Women's participation especially amongthemembersofBZFUGs,Sister participation inotheractivitieshasbeenhigh, participation. CommunitysupporttoTHCCsand issues, strengtheninglocalsupportand with abroaderrangeofactivitiesrelevanttolocal hygiene andsanitationhavebeenincluded,along reproductive health,immunizationandpersonal carried outintheTHCCsuchasfamilyand governance practices withinFUGsandother sufficient alonetoinstitutionalise good butnot Social empowermentisnecessary renderedbyotherlineagencies. services essential tothoroughlyexploreresources and implement livelihoodprogrammes.Hence,itis compelled torelymoreonexternalresources to poor BZFUGs,particularlyinthehilldistricts,are and marginalizedJanajatis.However, resource improve thelivelihoodsofwomen,poor, development, andpovertyalleviationtohelp manner isaneffectivewaytosupportcommunity Mobilization ofgroupfundsinanequitable eco tourism. One waytodothisinthefuturewouldbethrough goalswithsocialjustice. matches conservation poor, DalitsandmarginalizedJanajatis,butitalso Not onlydoesthisprovidebenefitsforwomen, resources, conservationmorereadilytakesplace. natural providing incentivestoconserve and employmenttoreducepovertywhile linked tobiodiversityandcangenerateincome and providedwithenterpriseoptionsthatare are empoweredtomanagetheirresource base It hasbeenseenthatwhenmountaincommunities Dalits , • • • empower themandinfluenceindecisionmaking. training, workshopsandexposurevisittohelp limitations throughsuchmobilizingtoolsas what isexpectedofthemandrealiseeachothers also importanttheyandothermembersrealise development toassistthemintheirroles.Itis important thattheyreceivedleadership poor, Dalitsandothermarginalizedgroups.Itis including theequitablerepresentationofwomen, empowerment withsocialactivities groups. Itisimportanttolinkeconomic developing strong coordinationandlinkage, forum tocoordinatelineagencies andfor Stakeholders consultationmeetings areagood of conflict,armedandothers. contribute toaddressingnegative consequences wellbeing ranking(PWBR) participatory public hearingandauditing(PHPA) and capacities atgrassrootslevel.Activitiessuchas accountability, organisationandtechnical issues aswellensuringgoodgovernance, place. TheSAGUNProgrammeaddressesthese order thatprotectionpoliciesandlawsareputin awareness andstrengtheningmusttakeplacein As wellaslocalanddistrictcapacity, nationallevel sustainability andimprovementofthebiodiversity. alone willnothavealongtermaffectonthe Building thecapacityofgroupssuchasFUGs etc. policies, provisions,roles,responsibilities,rights rules,regulations, important communityforestry information andcommunicationbyBZFUGson ensures widercoverage,andincreasesaccessto grassroots level,particularlyasitiscosteffective, effective inreachingouttopeopleatthe The mobilizationofLocalResource Personsis
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 31 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 32 1996-2008 A Retrospective mass meetingswereunaffected. by theconflict.Overall,activitieswhichdidnotinvolve and UpperDolpaastheseweretheareasleastaffected restricted toareasclosethedistrictheadquarters FOPs, werehampered.Meetingsingeneral involving thegovernment,suchaspreparationof during thistimeandthusmeetingsactivities of governmentstaffatvillagelevelwasnotpossible Manager washeldbytheMaoistsforaweek.Mobility the districtheadquartersofDunaiandProject periods. In2000therewasamajorMaoistattackon offieldactivitiesduringsomeprogramme supervision for thesafetyofprojectstaffeffectedmonitoringand communities duringthearmedconflictandconcern Confidence togainself-empowermentwaslackingin making itdifficulttogaintrustandmobilizepeople. Maoist activitiesinDolpawereextensive,attimes during theinsurgency. Duringtheprogrammeyears Dolpa wasoneofthemostseverelyaffecteddistricts Programme Implementation ImpactofConflicton 7.5 • implementation, programmesustainabilityetc. avoiding duplication,effectiveprogramme was built,enablingboththebeneficiary operating procedures,trustwiththecommunity harm' policy. Withtransparentfinancialand NCMP followeda'needsbased'and'dono Milking YakatRaman Saldang Gautum Poudyal,NMCPPr Gautum Poudyal,NMCPPr Gautum Poudyal,NMCPPr good work," and monitorthankedusforourtransparency hearings, andeventheMaoistswhocametolisten allowed tocontinueourmeetings,suchaspublic "W" istransparent inallactivities,however, wewere the governmentofficialstotravelinfield.Because except fewruralhealthworkersitwasnoteasyfor At thattimeveryfewpeoplecametotheareaand there were theaddedproblems ofMaoistrestrictions. lot oftimeisspentontravel.Duringtheinsurgency "W". However, hard anda workinginDolpaisvery friendlyandhelpfultheyrefervery toWWFas good.Ihavealwaysfoundthepeopletobe very "The relationshipbetweenWWFandthelocalsis Gautum Poudyal,NMCPPr Gautum Poudyal,NMCPPr should unforeseeneventsoccur. for revisionandadaptionofactivitiesatfieldlevel care takenintheplanningofprogrammestoallow should bereplicatedinfutureprogrammesand image portraitbythefieldstaff.Thismethodology community indecisionmaking,andthegood muchinvolvedthe profile, thefactitwasvery transparency oftheprogramme,itsrelativelylow activities allowedtocontinueisonlyduethe was questionedbytheMaoists,releasedand the programme.Thefactthatprojectmanager conflict periodandensuredthecontinuationof This wasespeciallycriticalduringthearmed- organisations andmaintainingpoliticalneutrality. achieved throughworkingwithcommunitybased on theobjectivesofprogramme.Thiswas communities andtheprojectstafftoconcentrate oject Of oject Of oject Of oject Of oject Of ficer ficer ficer ficer ficer Northern Mountains, whichencompasses Shey The snowleopard istheflagshipspecies of the for SnowLeopardConservation LandscapeLevel Approach 8.1 of thepeoplewholivethere. sustainable developmentandlongtermlivelihoods biodiversity ofthisareaaswellbetterprotectthe disadvantaged groups,tobetterprotectthe developed andpackaged,especiallyfor learned manylessonsandtheseshouldbe address longtermneeds.NMCPhas,however, are, bythelimitedlocalpossibilities,notadequateto byNMCP not wellmanagedandtheinterventions sustainable livelihoodopportunitiesareatpresent been developed;NTFPandMAPs,whichdooffer declining daybyday;tourisminthisareahasnotyet traditional mainstayoflivelihoodsinDolpa,are pastoral activitiesandsubsistencefarming,the and culturearealchancetosucceed.However, gives thelongtermprotectionofaparticulararea Linking sustainabledevelopmentwithconservation 8 The WayForward monitoring shouldbereplicatedincriticalareas. mitigation toanti-poachingcommunity-based activitiesrangingfromconflict conservation experiences ontheimplementationofsnowleopard its preyshouldbeidentified.NMCP'slearningsand critical areasintermsofthreatstosnowleopardand leopard habitatshouldbemodelledusingGISand issueseffectively.conservation Indoingso,snow approachesandtoaddressemerging conservation be designedtoincorporatelandscapelevel programmeneedsto approach. Anewconservation through adoptingalandscapelevelconservation needstobeexpandedandscaledup conservation Based onlearningsandexperience,snowleopard (DHR). Park (RNP)andDhortapatanHuntingReserve Phoksumdo NationalPark(SPNP),Rara systems and the two THCCs are very well thoughtof systems andthe twoTHCCsarevery knowledge through itsapplicationonlocalheath care PPI madegreatstridesinsafeguarding indigenous Knowledge SafeguardingIndigenous 8.2
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 33 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 34 1996-2008 A Retrospective area thatcanbeexplored. hard forthemtosucceedineither. Thisisalsoan both regularsubjectsaswellAmchi,makingit difficult foryoungerstudentsastheyhavetostudy normal Nepalischoolcurriculum.Thismakesit study ofAmchimedicinewhichdoesnotincludethe it isnotpossibletohaveaschooldedicatedthe area wherefuturelobbyingcouldtakeplace.Currently ofHealth,andthisisan health carebytheMinistry To datethereisalsonoformalrecognitionofAmchi for programmedelivery. Management Committeesetchasprovedeffective organisations (CBOs)suchasSisterGroups,THCC and theformationoflocalcommunitybased Amchis, intheprogrammehasprovedsuccessful demonstrated thatinvolvinglocalprofessionals,ie in thetargetedareaisarealpossibility. Ithasbeen shamanismorfolkknowledgeprevalent ayurveda, health posts,orthroughlocalpractices,suchas through eitherlocalmedicinepracticesie which donotpracticeAmchimedicine.Linking inotherremoteareasofthecountry health services canalsobelookedatasawaytodeliver conservation management, whichlinkshealthcareand and model formedicinalplantconservation traditions isarealpossibility. Thiscommunitybased Gorkha applyingethnobotanythroughtheAmchi For exampleinMugu,Jumla,Humla,Mustangand has beentraditionallypractices,thiscanbereplicated. in thecommunity. InareaswhereAmchimedicines Nofiguresareavailable butbasedontalkswiththeTHCCAmchisthereisaround a 50%deathrateofbothmotherandbaby. 9 Practices and EnvironmentinConservation IntegratingPopulation,Health 8.4 to allWWFprogrammesinthefuture. should belookedatmorecloselyandcanapplied not amainobjectiveoftheNMCPthisisanareawhich Although beneficial regardingspeciesconservation. of doingnoharmtoanylivingthing,certainlyproved people inDolpaareBuddhistandfollowaphilosophy message.Thefactthemajorityof conservation lamas haveactivelybeeninvolvedinspreadingthe biodiversity. ThishasbeenseenintheNMCPwhere oftheirsurrounding lessons regardingpreservation ensure localcommunitiespayspecialattentionto withreligionisonewayto linking conservation It hasbeendemonstratedinmanycountriesthat Religion with LinkingConservation 8.3 a rate health issuesandpregnancies.However, thereisstill which havegreatlyhelpedwomenwithreproductive There arenowfemaleAmchisbasedattheTHCCs conservation initiativesinDolpa. conservation byintegratingpopulationandhealthin conservation health andatthesametimedeliverresultsin implementation ofPHEcanhelpimprovewomen's of bestpractices,successesandlessonslearnedin Terai withfundingsupport fromUSAID.Replication Health andEnvironment(PHE)Programmeinthe WWF iscurrentlyimplementingthePopulation, programmes couldhaveahugeimpact. done onthisandisoneareainwhichfuture the averageforcountry. Nostudieshavebeen Amchi NamgyalLama,Phoksundo THCC. Amchi NamgyalLama,Phoksundo THCC. Amchi NamgyalLama,Phoksundo THCC. never mindthehospitalatDunai," high, snowboundpassestoget eventhisTHCC, help. Inmostcasesitisjustnot possible tocross and thedistancestheyhavetocross tofindmedical gynaecological shynessuneducatedwomenfeel should fromAdded tothisisthenormal theirdiet. getting more cold and notgettingthegoodnessthey sheepskin toman-madefabrics. Peopleare therefore changed from thetraditionalwarm has also processed foodsare comingfrom Chinaandclothing differentDiet is of changesintraditions. nowthat "More womenandbabiesare dyingtodaybecause Amchi NamgyalLama,Phoksundo THCC. Amchi NamgyalLama,Phoksundo THCC. 9 ofmotherandchildmortalitywhichisabove life offiveyear. Afterthistimethereisthe question operational butthebatteriesthemselves haveashelve tokeepthebattery to makedistilledwaternecessary terms ofsolarlighting.Locals have beentaughthow forests. However, someworkremainstobedone in of communities inrelationtotheconservation a mostpositiveimpactonthedailylivesoflocal The useofhydropowerandsolarlightinghasproved AlternativeEnergy 8.6 level arrangements. level throughformulationandstrengtheninglocal appropriate policyanditsimplementationatground Furthermore, WWFcanfacilitatedeveloping Marketing possibilitiesalsoneedtobeassessed. to givefarmersachancetakeupthisoption. ofNTFPinthearea through conductinganinventory NTFP needstobestrengthened.Onewaycould and managed.Atthesametime,marketingof extraction ofsuchresources theymustberegulated enterprises. However, inordertoensuresustainable forest products(NTFPs)andmedicinalplantsbased enhancement throughpromotionofnon-timber largeprospect oflivelihoods There isvery NTFP 8.5 and somesustainable,cost-effectivesolutionfound. batteries ontheenvironmentneedstobeassessed agencies haveinvestigatedthelongtermimpactof with solarlighting.WhetherGLAsanddevelopment havebeenprovided areas throughoutthecountry remote substantial numberofvillages,someinvery are doingtoaddressthisproblem.Currentlya development organisationsandprivate there isperhapsroomtoresearch whatother certainly willmeettheneedsofpeopleinDolpa Whilethis and newbatterieshasbeenputforward. new batteries.Theideaofacollectioncentreforused of wheretodisposethemandobtain trekking groups. Problemsoffindinglocalporters Currently portersandfoodare broughtinbyany porter associationscouldbeformed andmobilized. revenues fortheirdevelopment. Institutionssuchas policychangetoobtainashareofsuch necessary to beorganizedandcapacitatedforlobbying zone communities.Therefore,peopleofDolpaneeds as parkrevenueandisnotsharedwiththebuffer ofHome.Thisfeeisnot counted fees totheMinistry those touristswhodocome,havetopayhighpermit Upper Dolpoisstillrestrictedforgeneraltouristsand Tourism 8.7
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 35 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 36 1996-2008 A Retrospective government departments. Tourism Board,travelagentsandrelevant helicopter flightsetccouldbetakenupwiththe tourism ieleopardtrails,wintertourism,fairs, become interested.Thedevelopmentofconservation sufficient numberoftouristarrivalsbeforethey is scopeforlivelihoodimprovementthrougha tourists willcomeandlocalsneedtoseethatthere the infrastructureneedstobeinplacebeforemore for ecotourismbutthecircle needstobebroken- forming suchanassociation.Thereisalargescope at theappropriatetimecouldbeaddressedby in lightofclimaticchanges. timesandspeciesplanting grazing times,harvesting people canadapttheirlivelihoodpatterns,suchas meadows. Studiescanbedonetoseewaysinwhich change inmicro-ecosystemssuchasalpine toassessimpactofclimate studies arenecessary affected byclimatechange.Infuture,scientific pressing questioniswhetherYarsagumba willbe can adapttoorslowdownchange.InDolpathemost it ishardtosuggestwaysinwhichlocalcommunities change awarenessclasseshavebeenprovidedbut becoming animportantworldwideissue.Climate Linkages betweenclimatechangeandlivelihoodsis ClimateChange 8.8 Holy siteSamling Monastery,Vijer .1PolicyandBestPractices 8.11 strengthen thestatusofethnobotanyinNepal. and ministeriallevelcommitteestoreview organisations suchasRONSAT, IUCN,ICIMOD,TU More linkagesshouldbeformedwithother Linkages 8.10 to conservationandlocallivelihoods. and DolpaDistricttodiscussconditionspertaining government agenciesandthecommunitiesofTibet cooperationbetweenthelocallevel trans-boundary Therefore, thereisastrongneedofstrengthening in wildlifepartsandmedicinalplantsalsoexists. and forgrazing.Likewise,crossborderillegaltrade for trade,asupplyofgoodsdailysustenance, The peopleofUpperDolpalargelydependedonTibet Cooperation attheLocalLevel StrengthenTrans-boundary 8.9 interaction meetingsmaybepossible. Committeethroughstudytoursand Parliamentary advocating anddemonstratingbestpracticestothe protect theforestsandspeciesofcountry. Directly helping thegovernmentstrengthenitspoliciesto Much workstillremainstobedoneintermsof CARE Nepal Mr. S.Rankin SNV Nepal Kadoorie AgricultureAidAgency WWF-Germany WWF-US WWF-Finland WWF-UK Ministry ofForeignAffairs,Finland USAID List ofDonors 9 Donors
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 37 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 38 1996-2008 A Retrospective 10 Northern MountainsConservationProject Finance Total 2007/08 2006/07 2005/06 2004/05 2003/04 2002/03 2001/02 2000/01 1999/00 1998/99 1997/98 1996/97 Fiscal Year Consolidated projectexpenditurestatements Period: 1996-2008 Budgeted Expenditure 147,416,632 21,863,255 27,132,605 13,937,434 16,413,198 17,589,025 16,074,704 11,656,260 7,127,246 7,999,470 3,888,191 2,051,477 1,683,768 Amount in NRs in Amount Remaks
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 39 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 40 1996-2008 A Retrospective Runitsoperationsinacosteffectivemannerandapplydonors'fundsaccording tothehigheststandards • fromactivities withmore activeparticipation thecommunityatlarge. level. Working withrespected membersofthecommunity, forexample,BuddhistLama's,wecanimplementour whohavelinesofcommunicationfrom grassrootspartners directly through advocacyprocedure, tonationalgovernment andthrough ofNationalParksandWildlifeConservation The NMCPisimplementedinconjunctionwiththeDepartment Strivetobuildpartnershipswithotherorganisations,governments,businessandlocalcommunities • the culture ofthearea aswellrecognisingtheireconomicneeds. through bothtraditional(NTFPandMAPs)innovative(solarpower, hydro power)methodsweare stayingtrueto aspectoftheprogramme.groups, Through involvingtheminevery ourworktoimprove theirlivesandlivelihoods NMCP workscloselywithlocalcommunities,Lamas,Amchis,women,Dalits,thepoorandothermarginalizedJanajati Involve localcommunitiesandindigenouspeoplesintheplanningexecutionofitsfieldprogrammes, • resources throughcapacitybuilding,awarenessraising,educationandotherinitiatives. The mainaimofNMCPistofacilitatelocalcommunitiestakecontrolandmanagementtheirnatural solutionsthroughacombinationof fieldbasedprogrammes,policyinitiatives, Buildconcreteconservation • use a"donoharm"policytoavoidconfrontationandimbalance. partners suchasFECOFUNandRIMSweinvolveusers,womenmarginalizedgroupsthenorm.We The NMCPlistenstopeopleatalllevels,seekingtheiradvice,expertiseandfeedback.ThroughourNGO confrontation Seekdialogueand avoidunnecessary • and implementation. The NMCPworkswithspecialists,scientists,consultantsandlocalexpertsthroughallstagesofitsinception Usethebestavailable scientificinformationtoaddressissuesandcriticallyevaluateallitsendeavours. • ethnic group.Itisnotalignedtoanypoliticalgrouporparty. NMCP worksatalllevels,fromgrassrootstonational,irrespectiveofcaste,religion,nationality, genderor Beglobal,independent,multiculturalandnonpartypolitical • 11 of accountability. enhance WWF'seffectiveness. respecting theirculturalandwellaseconomicneeds. capacity buildingandeducationwork. Principles NMCP andWWF'sGuiding
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 41 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 42 1996-2008 A Retrospective WWF Nepal Gautam Paudyal/WWFNepal Tom Kelly Photo Credits: Format PrintingPress,Hadigaun Printed at: Digi ScanPre-pressPvt.Ltd,Naxal Designed at: Jackie Taylor Editor: Jackie Taylor Text Compilation: Publication Credits All worksconsulted,unlessotherwisestated,areWWFNepalProgrammeReportsfrom1996to2008. Bibliography
Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 43 1996-2008 A Retrospective Northern Mountain Conservation Programme 44 1996-2008 A Retrospective
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation WWF Nepal PO Box 860, Babar Mahal, Kathmandu, Nepal PO Box 7660, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 977-1-4220912 Tel: 977-1-4434820 Fax: 977-1-4227655 Fax: 977-1-4438458 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Website: www.dnpwc.gov.np Website: www.wwfnepal.org