ANNUAL REPORT 2019 National Trust for Nature Conservation ANNUAL REPORT 2019 © NTNC 2019 (FY 2018/19) Published by: National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal PO Box 3712, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-1-5526571, 5526573, Fax: +977-1-5526570 E-mail: [email protected], URL: www.ntnc.org.np Editorial Team: Dr. Siddhartha Bajra Bajracharya Mr. Bikhyat Sherchan Mr. Sujhav Pun Photo credits: ACAP, BCC, BCP, Central Zoo, MCAP, SCP, GCAP Cover Photo: Manang © Tashi R. Ghale Back cover photo: Chitwan © Nicolas Cegalerba & Joanna Szwemberg FOREWORD Mindful that challenges to protect and conserve of which are highlighted in this year's report. As will nature have mounted exponentially across the be evident to the reader, these interventions respond globe, NTNC remains ever-steadfast to do its best to a renewed sense of the conservation landscape, for the protection and promotion of the rich natural both domestically as well as internationally, while heritage of Nepal. Although Nepal's track record in keeping with NTNC's core strengths—our intricate conservation continues to remain praiseworthy, we understanding of the wildlife sciences, our policy- know that that alone will not suffice. Global threats to-grassroots reach, together with more than three- to nature, whether they be from alarming rates of and-a-half decades of actualizing community-based species extinction or the rampant destruction of conservation capacities. natural habitats, human-wildlife conflict pressures, I am confident that the achievements highlighted in increased sophistication of wildlife crime networks, this report will help contribute directly to the national or climate-induced disasters, rising pollution levels, targets as set forth by the 15th National Periodic and risk of zoonotic diseases, will continue to rub Plan (2019 – 2023), Nepal National Biodiversity on us all in some way or the other. This is to say Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 2014-2020), Nature that because these are complex problems that Conservation National Strategic Framework for transcend boundaries and traditional distinctions, Sustainable Development (2015 -2030), and National finding solutions require cutting across governments, Forest Policy (2019). Broadly they also reflect disciplines and perceptions. our commitment to fulfilling the UN's Sustainable At NTNC we understand the important responsibility Development Goals that have put people, planet entrusted upon us by the Government of Nepal to and prosperity as being necessary prerequisites for manage three conservation areas in the mountains— making meaningful global progress. Annapurna, Manaslu and Gaurihshankar—along with This report is reflective of the collective endeavour managing the country's only national zoo, the Central and hard work made by the entire Trust family Zoo, while closely supporting and informing the working across Nepal in various capacities—all government's conservation priorities across the Terai the staff, the Projects, the Management and national parks. To deliver upon these national-level the Governing Board of Trustees—including the targets and expectations, we continue to be guided local communities who are fundamental to our by an approach that aims to institutionalize local success. Our sincere gratitude also goes out to ownership and conservation capacity, empower local the Government of Nepal, the Ministry of Forests communities to make socio-economic gains, and and Environment, Department of National Parks promote income opportunities for decent livelihoods. and Wildlife Conservation, including all our partner All of this while bringing science, research and agencies, donors, and well-wishers whose support innovation to enrich existing conservation discourses and guidance we benefit greatly from. As an and guide policy-to-field level interventions. institution, we continue to learn and grow, and on In order to better address some of the new-found behalf of NTNC, I look forward to do more together challenges and solidify future priorities as envisioned with your help in the coming days. by the NTNC Strategic Plan, last year we revised our programme focus into five broad thematic Thank you, areas—Species, Protected Areas and Ecosystem Management, Conservation Economy, Climate Action, and Research, Education, and Knowledge Management—with ‘gender’, ‘governance’ and ‘capacity building’ established as crosscutting Yajna Nath Dahal themes. Programme interventions under these new Member Secretary themes have begun to yield positive results, some ACRONYMS ACA/P Annapurna Conservation Area/Project DoF Department of Forests AEPC Alternative Energy Promotion Center DNA Deoxyribonucleic Acid APU Anti-poaching Unit DNPWC Department of National Parks and BCA Blackbuck Conservation Area Wildlife Conservation BCC Biodiversity Conservation Center DPO District Police Office BCF Barandabhar Corridor Forest DWS Drinking Water System BCN Bird Conservation Nepal EBC Elephant Breeding Center BCP Bardia Conservation Program EEHV Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus BNP Bardia National Park EMMP Environmental Monitoring and BaNP Banke National Park Management Plan BZ Buffer Zone EIA Environmental Impact Assessment BZCF Buffer Zone Community Forest FGM Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites BZCFUG Buffer Zone Community Forest User FMD Foot and Mouth Disease Group FoZ Friends of Zoo BZMC Buffer Zone Management Committee FY Fiscal Year BZUC Buffer Zone Users Committee FMSC Forest Management Subcommittee CAMC Conservation Area Management GBC Gharial Breeding Center Committee GBV Gender Based Violence CAMOP Conservation Area Management GCA/P Gaurishankar Conservation Area/Project Operation Plan GESI Gender and Social Inclusion CAPA Community Adaptation Plan of Action GFC Green Force Club CBAPU Community Based Anti-poaching Unit GoN Government of Nepal CDV Canine Distemper Virus GPS Global Positioning System CE Conservation Education HDPE High Density Polyethylene CF Community Forest HH Household CFOP Community Forest Operational Plan HMsC Homestay Management Sub committee CFUG Community Forest Users Group HTC Himalayan Tiger Foundation CGI Corrugated Galvanized Iron HWC Human Wildlife Conflict CHAL Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape ICDP Integrated Conservation and CITES Convention on International Trade in Development Program Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and IDA International Development Assistance Flora IEE Initial Environmental Examination CNP Chitwan National Park IGA Income Generation Activities COP Conference of the Parties IUCN International Union for Conservation of CPV Canine Parvovirus Nature DAO District Administration Office IWT Illegal Wildlife Trade DCC District Coordination Committee KrCA Krishnasar Conservation Area DFO District Forest Office KTWR Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve LHW Livestock Health Worker SDW Safe Drinking Water M/ICS Metallic/Improved Cooking Stove SCP Shukaphanta Conservation Program MCA/P Manaslu Conservation Area/Project SLC Snow Leopard Conservancy MoFSC Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation SLCSC Snow Leopard Conservation MITFE Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Subcommittee Environment SMART Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool MOFE Ministry of Forests and Enviornment ShNP Shuklaphanta National Park MSFP Multi-stakeholder Forestry Program TAL Terai Arc Landscape NA Nepal Army TAAN Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal I/NGO International/Non-Government TAR Tibetan Autonomous Region Organization TMSC Tourism Management Subcommittee NTB Nepal Tourism Board TX2 Tiger Doubling Goal by 2022 NTFP Non- Timber Forest Product UC Users Committee NTNC National Trust for Nature Conservation UCO Unit Conservation Office PA Protected Area USAID United States Agency of International PCR Polymerase Chain Reaction Development PV Photovoltaic USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service PVC Poly Vinyl Chloride VCBC Vulture Conservation and Breeding PNP Parsa National Park Center RM Rural Municipality VDC Village Development Committee RRT Rapid Response Team WWF World Wildlife Fund for Nature SAWEN South Asia Wildlife Enforcement ZSL Zoological Society of London Network Table of Contents FOREWORD ACRONYMS ABOUT NTNC PROJECTS 1 NEWSLINE 7 SPECIES CONSERVATION Protected AREAS AND Ecosystem 19 MANAGEMENT 27 CONSERVATION ECONOMY 45 CLIMATE CHANGE CONSERVATION EDUCATION AND 49 OUTREACH 57 RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE 67 CENTRAL ZOO TOURIST DATA IN NTNC MANAGED 81 CONSERVATION AREAS 83 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2018-19 (2075-76) ABOUT NTNC PROJECTS MOUNTAINS Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) aunched in 1986, the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) is the largest undertaking of NTNC. ACA Lis also the first 'Conservation Area' and largest 'Protected Area' in Nepal covering an area of 7,629 sq. km. It covers 5 districts and includes 15 rural municipalities. Together with its remarkable biodiversity, with 1,352 plants, 128 mammals, 518 birds, 40 reptiles and 23 amphibians species, it is also home to some of the most well- known mountains in Nepal where diverse cultures and peoples reside. This makes it an area of high eco-system sensitivity and the country's top trekking destination. It is here where NTNC pioneered the ICDP model which integrates biodiversity conservation and sustainable development through maximizing community engagement, ownership and opportunity. Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) anaslu Conservation Area (MCA), declared on December 28, 1998 is the second conservation area to come Munder NTNC management. MCA encompasses an area of 1,663 sq. km. of