Feasibility Study of Kailash Sacred Landscape
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Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation Initiative Feasability Assessment Report - Nepal Central Department of Botany Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Nepal June 2010 Contributors, Advisors, Consultants Core group contributors • Chaudhary, Ram P., Professor, Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University; National Coordinator, KSLCI-Nepal • Shrestha, Krishna K., Head, Central Department of Botany • Jha, Pramod K., Professor, Central Department of Botany • Bhatta, Kuber P., Consultant, Kailash Sacred Landscape Project, Nepal Contributors • Acharya, M., Department of Forest, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MFSC) • Bajracharya, B., International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) • Basnet, G., Independent Consultant, Environmental Anthropologist • Basnet, T., Tribhuvan University • Belbase, N., Legal expert • Bhatta, S., Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation • Bhusal, Y. R. Secretary, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation • Das, A. N., Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation • Ghimire, S. K., Tribhuvan University • Joshi, S. P., Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation • Khanal, S., Independent Contributor • Maharjan, R., Department of Forest • Paudel, K. C., Department of Plant Resources • Rajbhandari, K.R., Expert, Plant Biodiversity • Rimal, S., Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation • Sah, R.N., Department of Forest • Sharma, K., Department of Hydrology • Shrestha, S. M., Department of Forest • Siwakoti, M., Tribhuvan University • Upadhyaya, M.P., National Agricultural Research Council • Uprety, B. K. Ministry of Environment Research Assintants/ Students • Acharya, M., Student, Tribhuvan University • Bhattarai, P., Student, Tribhuvan University • Gautam, R.K., Student, Tribhuvan University • Lama, T., Local resident, Simikot • Limbu, M., Student, Tribhuvan University II Acknowledgenments • Chief District Officer, Humla; Ramu Prasad Upadhyaya • Local Development Officer, Humla; Yam Lal Adhikari • Deputy Superitendent of Police, Humla; Shishir Karmacharya • Medical Docotr, District Health Office, Humla; Prakash Prasad Shah • District Forest Officer, Humla; Subash Chandra Dash • Officer, Dist. Forest office, Humla; Bechan Thakur • Deputy Chief District Officer, Humla; Shiv Chandra Dhital • Ranjor, District Forest Office, Humla; Shiv Sankar Jha • Nepal Police, Humla, • District Ddevelopment Committee, Humla • District Forest Office, Humla • District Ayurved Health Clinic • District Agriculture Office • District Health Office • District Livestock Health Service Center • Local people of Baitadi, Darchula, Bajhang and Humla districts • Himalayan Conservation, Humla • Nepal Trust, Humla • SNV Nepal, Humla • CEDA Nepal, Humla • Humla Development Project • WUPAP, Humla • Kailash FM • HCDA, Humla • Kamal Shahi, Kailash FM • Tsewang Lama, Simikot • Chhak B Lama, Simikot (Former Minister) • Sagar Lama, Nepal Trust • Yogi Kayastha, manager, HDP • Samden Lama, herder, Baijubara • Jivan Shahi, Humla • Lokjung Shahi, Humla • Sangeeta Rajbhandary, Tribhuvan University • All political parties in Baitadi, Darchula, Bajhang, and Humla districts III Foreword MFSC IV Preface The MInistry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MFSC) and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) signed a Letter of Agreement (LoA) for the implementation of Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation Initiative (KSLCI) project with an aim of promoting an ecosystem approach for important transboundary landscape. The ICIMOD and UNEP have entered into an MOU to jointly work in the KSLCI. The LoA signed by the MFSC and ICIMOD entrusted to the Central Department of Botany, Tribhuvan University (TU) as the lead partner for the KSLCI project implementation. The KSLCI project encourages cooperation to address the challenges of global climate and other environmental changes in the Kailash Sacred Landscape (KSL)-Nepal and the region, and promoting sustainable development. The KSL-Nepal comprises four districts in Nepa – Baitadi, Darchula, Bajhang, and Humla, located in far-western and mid-western region in Nepal. The region, at present represents remotest part of the country from development indices, although houses rich biological and cultural diversity. Unfortunately, the region also lacks basic climatic, ecological, socio-economic and socio-cultural data, and the knowledge base required for long-tern effective cultural landscape conservation. The Feasibility Assessment Report-Nepal part is the first outcome of the KSLCI project. It is prepared thorugh available literature search, field study, consultations with officials of the government departments, diverse stakeholders at national and district/village level, and with various experts. The extensive onsite field study and consultations with the communities and NGOs provided valuable information to identify the existing gaps, and the priorities for future plans. We consider that the status report will provide strong basis for preparation of conservation strategy, comprehensive environmental monitoring plan for Nepal part, and they would lead to the process of developing Regional Cooperation Framework (RCF) for the KSL-region. We acknowledge the MFSC, MoEn, and ICIMOD for their constant help and guidance to accomplish this work including financial support from UNEP through ICIMOD. We sincerely thank all the experts for providing valuable information to prepare this report. During the project, encouragements, inspirations, and guidance that we have received from the steering committee are thankfully acknowledged. The work would not have been accompluished without genetrous help from local communities, social workers, officers working at government and non-government organizations who shared their valuable knowledge and information with us, and helped during the field work. Ram P. Chaudhary National Coordinator, KSLCI-Nepal Professor, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Nepal V Acronyms and Abbreviations ANCA Api Nampa Conservation Area ha Hectare B.S. Bikram Samvat HMG His Majesty’s Government BOD Biological Oxygen Demand HHs Households BOOT Build, Operate and Ownership Transfer IAS Invasive Alien Species BPP Biodiversity Profile Project IBA Important Bird Area BZMR Buffer Zone Management Regulation ICIMOD International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development CABI Center for Agricultural Bioscience IEE Initial Environmental Examination International CBD Convention on Biological Diversity IPA Important Plant Area CBO Community Based Organization ISRC Intensive Study and Research Centre CBS Central Bureau of Statistics IUCN The World Conservation Union CCN Climate Change Network kg kilogram CDM Clean Development Mechanism KNP Khaptad National Park CFUG Community Forest User Group KP Kyoto Protocol CITES Convention on International Trade of KRTC Khaptad Region Tourism Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora Committee COP Conference of Parties KSLCI Kailash Sacred Landscape Conservation Initiative DCA Detrended Correspondence Analysis LSGA Local Self Governance Act DDC District Development Committee LSMA Land Survey and Measurement Act DFO District Forest Office m asl meter above sea level DHM Department of Hydrology and m ton metric ton Meteorology DLSO District Livestock Service Office MAP Medicinal and Aromatic Plant DNA Designated National Authority MEA Multilateral Environmental Agreements DNPWC Department of National Parks and MFSC Ministry of Forests and Soil Wildlife Conservation Conservation DO Dissolved Oxygen mm millimetres DoA Department of Archaeology MoAC Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative EIA Environmental Impact Assessment MoE Ministry of Environment EPA Environmental Protection Act MCCICC Multi-stakeholder Climate Change Initiative Coordination Committee FAO Food and Agriculture Organization NAPA National Adaptation Program of Action FNCCI Federation of Nepal Chamber of NARC National Agricultural Research Commerce and Industry Council GHG Greenhouse Gas NBCC National Biodiversity Coordination Committee GISP Global Invasive Species Program NBS Nepal Biodiversity Strategy GLM Generalized Linear Model NBSIP National Biodiversity Strategy Implementation Plan GLOF Glacial lake Outburst Flood NCSA National Capacity Needs Self- Assessment VI GoN Government of Nepal NEA Nepal Electricity Authority NGO Non Government Organization SINA Statistical Information on Nepalese Agriculture NHM Natural History Museum spp. Species NIE National Implementing Entity TOR Terms of Reference NLCDC National Lake Conservation Development TU Tribhuvan University Committee NPWCA National Parks and Wildlife TAC Technical Advisory Committee Conservation Act NTFP Non Timber Forest Product TDS Total Dissolved Solids NRDB National Red Data Book UNCED UN Conference on Environment and Development PAs Protected Areas UNCCD UN Convention to Combat Desertification PDD Project Design Document UNDP United Nations Development Programme PIN Project Idea Note UNEP United Nations Environment Programme PPCR Pilot Program for Climate Resilience UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change PREGA Promotion of Renewable Energy, Energy VDC Village Development Committee Efficiency and GHG Abatement RCF Regional Cooperation Framework WCMC World Conservation Monitoring Centre REDD Reduction of Emissions from WCN Wildlife Conservation Nepal Deforestation and Degradation RNP Rara National Park WRA Water Resource Act SAARC South Asian Association for Regional WUA Water User Association Cooperation SADAN Sustainable Development Agenda for WWF World Wildlife Fund Nepal SCOPE Scientific