for a living planet ®

WWF Nepal Program Annual Report 2004-05 WWF is the largest and most experienced independent global conservation organization with almost five million supporters and a network active in more than 90 countries and the International Secretariat at Gland, Switzerland. Since 1961, WWF has worked to conserve nature and ecological processes through a combination of actions on the ground, national and international advocacy work to establish appropriate policies, and international campaigns to highlight and demonstrate solutions to crucial environmental problems.

WWF's Mission is to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature by: • Conserving the world's biological diversity; • Ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable; and • Reducing pollution and wasteful consumption

To guide the organization in achieving this mission, WWF has identified six globally important issues to which it can apply effort and support. These are: • the conservation of forest, freshwater, and marine ecosystems • the preservation of flagship species of special concern • combating the spread of toxic chemicals • protecting nature from climate change. Country Representative’s Message

f there is one constant that WWF Nepal Program has held on to for the past year, it the leadership of HMG/N with other partner has been hope - hope and a spirit that will not allow us to give up on what we started. organizations. We continued to lobby for the IWe believe that conservation efforts can and must continue even in a deteriorating Kangchenjunga Conservation Area national security situation. Management Council to take on the management responsibility of the Project sites in both lowlands and in mountain protected areas were affected by the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area, which is insurgency but despite the constant closures and restrictions in the movement of staff, currently pending approval from the Cabinet. WWF Nepal Program continued to work on the ground with the support of grassroots In October 2004, we also initiated the Freshwater Program, which has already begun to organizations, partner NGOs, government line agencies and the determination of our contribute significantly to freshwater issues in Nepal. dedicated staff. Together with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and the King Challenging field circumstances in Kangchenjunga Conservation Area and the vandalization Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, we were successful in conducting the Rhino Count of our sector offices by Maoist cadre in December 2004 disrupted field level activities for 2005. The numbers of Greater One-horned rhinos have fallen due to poaching, exacerbated almost the entire second half of the fiscal year so work for the Kangchenjunga Conservation by the conflict. Although anti-poaching operations and informants' networks supported Area Project was supplemented by lobbying and capacity building in Kathmandu. by WWF Nepal Program aided in the arrest of notorious poachers, we need to be ever Uncertainty and threats of violence in the Terai did not deter WWF Nepal Program field more vigilant and redouble our efforts so that Nepal's rich biodiversity is safeguarded for staff from mobilizing local communities for the implementation of conservation work in future generations. some of the most conflict-affected areas in western and far-western Nepal. The worth of an organization will always be measured by the people who work towards With more than 30 years of experience in conservation in Nepal, WWF Nepal Program is its goals so I thank the staff of WWF Nepal Program for their bravery, perseverance and pleased to have played a more active and effective role in policy and advocacy issues. In passion for conservation. My sincere gratitude also to all our partner organizations especially the past year, we successfully advocated for Cairn Energy PLC to maintain transparency His Majesty's Government of Nepal, donors, supporters, the WWF Network, and last but in all exploration related work in the Terai Arc Landscape, supported the drafting of never the least, the local communities for their continued support and cooperation during Kangchenjunga Conservation Area Community Management Regulations and organized these difficult times. internal workshops for staff to build their understanding on key issues. The intensive Organizational Assessment that we underwent helped us to identify critical areas that need We continue our conservation efforts in the belief that we can ensure a living planet. to be strengthened.

This year saw the endorsement of the Terai Arc Landscape - Nepal Strategic Plan (2004 - 2014), the preparation of management plan for the buffer zone of Sagarmatha National Park, the endorsement of the Snow Leopard Conservation Plan by His Majesty's Chandra Gurung, PhD Government of Nepal and the vision for the Sacred Himalayan Landscape take shape under Country Representative 1 Acronyms

AIN Association of International Non-government Organizations KCAMC Kangchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council BBC British Broadcasting Corporation KMTNC King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation BDS-MaPs Business Development Services-Marketing, Production and Service MAPs Medicinal and Aromatic Plants BZCFUGs Buffer Zone Community Forest User Groups MFSC Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation BZMCs Buffer Zone Management Committees MOEST Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology BZUC Buffer Zone User Committee MOU Memorandum of Understanding CBAPO Community Based Anti-poaching Operation NEFEJ Nepal Forum for Environmental Journalists CBO Community Based Organization NFE Non-formal Education CCNN Climate Change Network Nepal NGO Non Government Organization COP Conference of Parties NMCP Northern Mountains Conservation Project CFUGs Community Forest User Groups NTFP Non-Timber Forest Products CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild PPI People and Plants Initiative Fauna and Flora RBNP Royal Bardia National Park DFO District Forest Office RCNP Royal Chitwan National Park DNPWC Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation RSWR Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve DOF Department of Forest SAGUN Strengthened Actions for Governance and Utilization of Natural Resources DRM Development Research and Monitoring SCAFP Sagarmatha Community Agro-forestry Project GIS Geographic Information System SEA Strategic Environment Assessment GLOF Glacier Lake Outburst Flood SEJ Society of Environmental Journalists HAW High Altitute Wetland SHL Sacred Himalayan Landscape HMG/N His Majesty's Government of Nepal SLA Sustainable Livelihoods Approach ICDP Integrated Conservation and Development Program SNP Sagarmatha National Park ICIMOD International Center for Integrated Mountain Development SNV Netherlands Development Organization ICS Improved Cooking Stoves TAL Terai Arc Landscape IEE Initial Environment Examination UNDP United Nations Development Program IUCN The World Conservation Union USAID United States Agency for International Development KAAA Kaadoorie Agriculture Aid Association VDC Village Development Committee KCA Kangchenjunga Conservation Area WWF NP WWF Nepal Program KCAP Kangchenjunga Conservation Area Project WTLBP Western Terai Landscape Building Program 2 Table of Contents © WWF NP / Aarati GURUNG Aarati / NP WWF ©

COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE’S MESSAGE 1 FRESHWATER PROGRAM: CONSERVING THE SOURCE OF LIFE 28 ACRONYMS 2 SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS FOR BETTER CONSERVATION 31 WWF IN NEPAL 4 Where We Work 5 SHARING CONSERVATION: COMMUNICATION Conservation in Times of Conflict: 1996 to the Present 6 AND CONSERVATION EDUCATION 33

TERAI ARC LANDSCAPE – NEPAL 9 PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT, RESEARCH AND MONITORING 37 OUR WORK IN THE MOUNTAINS 15 The Sacred Himalayan Landscape 16 FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 41 Sagarmatha Community Agro-Forestry Project 17 Kangchenjunga Conservation Area Project 19 HIGHLIGHTS 2004-05 42 Northern Mountains Conservation Project 24 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 44 CLIMATE CHANGE PROGRAM: FROM LOCAL TO GLOBAL 25

CREDITS Cover pic main © WWF NP / Kanchan Thapa, Inside back cover © WWF NP / Gautam POUDYAL all other cover pics © WWF NP Text & edits: Trishna Gurung-WWF NP, Basanta Subba Design and Printing: Format Printing Press, Kathmandu Published in February 2006 by WWF Nepal Program

Any reproduction in full or in part must mention the title and credit WWF Nepal Program 3 epal has always been a pivotal country for WWF ever since it first provided support for rhino and tiger conservation projects in the late 1960s and early 1970s. From the early Nemphasis on research and training, WWF Nepal Program’s support has evolved with the shift in the conservation policy of His Majesty’s Government of Nepal. In recent years, our focus has evolved to a landscape-level approach to conservation that also takes into account the sustainable livelihoods of people. Our programs in Nepal work for species, forests, freshwater and climate change with a strong emphasis on sustainable livelihoods.

WWF Nepal Program periodically initiates strategic planning to help redefine its role in the country and develop a program-based framework for various projects and activities. Its purpose is to set goals and establish operational guidelines. We consider monitoring and evaluation to be of great importance in all our programs to asess the impacts we make, and in learning and adaptation.

In 1993, WWF signed a General Agreement with HMG/N, which led to the opening of an office in Kathmandu to coordinate and monitor program activities. WWF in Nepal 4 © WWF NP / Mohan DHAKAL Mohan © WWF NP / © WWF NP / Mohan DHAKAL Mohan © WWF NP / © WWF NP / Shubash LOHANI Shubash NP / © WWF © WWF NP / Sandeep CHAMLING RAI CHAMLING Sandeep © WWF NP / © WWF NP / Sandeep CHAMLING RAI CHAMLING Sandeep © WWF NP / © WWF NP / Neera S PRADHAN © WWF NP / Neera S PRADHAN

Where We Work

IN THE TERAI these ecosystems, WWF Nepal issue. In 2003, WWF Nepal Program The Terai Arc Landscape covers Program projects in the mountains are initiated the Climate Change Program. approximately 49,500 km2 from Kangchenjunga Conservation Area Since then, it has initiated a network We work in close partnerships with Nepal’s Bagmati River in the east to Project (KCAP), Northern Mountains of I/NGOs called the Climate Change various ministries and departments in India’s Yamuna River in the west, Conservation Project (NMCP), and Network Nepal (CCNN), launched the HMG/N, locally elected bodies, linking a network of 11 transborder Sagarmatha Community Agro-forestry Himalayan Glacier and River Project, conservation organizations and protected areas, national forests, Project (SCAFP). The landscape level and initiated the Climate Witness development agencies, diplomatic agricultural lands, settlement areas approach has been carried through Project. missions, and national and international and water bodies in both countries. into the Sacred Himalayan NGOs. We also work with community The Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) Landscape, which extends 30,021 ON FRESHWATER ISSUES groups, local people and grassroots level Program in Nepal is a joint initiative of km2 from Langtang National Park in WWF is working globally with partners stakeholders, individual donors and WWF and His Majesty’s Government central Nepal through the through a shared approach to others committed to biodiversity of Nepal that involves a large number Kangchenjunga region in Darjeeling in managing rivers and wetlands, conservation and environmental of partner organizations, donor India to Toorsa Strict Nature Reserve redirecting harmful infrastructure, protection. agencies, stakeholders, community in western Bhutan. curbing water waste in agriculture by based organizations and local people. seeking better management practices Our work is funded by foundations, TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE and promoting poverty reduction governments, aid agencies and individual IN THE MOUNTAINS In developing countries like Nepal, compatible with environmentally donors. All financial transactions are Recognizing the ecological climate change is not just an strong water policies. WWF Nepal internally audited and are also open to significance of the Nepal Himalayas environmental phenomenon but also Program initiated the Freshwater public auditing. and in response to varying threats to an economic, social and political Program in October 2004.

5 Conservation in Times of Conflict: 1996 to the Present

Nepal's efforts at biodiversity Weakened enforcement has led to conservation have not remained more pressure on natural resources unaffected in an almost decade-long and illegal trade in medicinal and armed Maoist insurgency. The nation aromatic plants, and timber has seen could be dragged into a widening an increase in some areas. In the face circle of violence, environmental of the armed insurgency, the focus has degradation and poverty. Delivering shifted to national security, putting on conservation goals during in other international conventions, policy this difficult time means we must and legal issues pertaining to be even more committed to our conservation on the backburner. ECOREGIONS The aim of the Global 200 analysis is to goals and for that, we need all the Biodiversity is not spread evenly ensure that the full range of support we can get. The conflict has impacted three specific across the Earth but follows complex ecosystems is represented within conservation areas: patterns determined by climate, regional conservation and development Various factors have weakened the 1. Protected area management geology and the evolutionary history of strategies so that conservation efforts state's control over natural resources 2. Forest conservation the planet. These patterns are called around the world contribute to a global - a weakened structure of 3. Illegal trade of wildlife parts and “ecoregions”. The boundaries biodiversity strategy. governance that is unable to reconcile medicinal and aromatic plants encompass an area within which diverse interests and ensure equitable important ecological and evolutionary WWF Nepal Program currently focuses distribution of benefits, a partial processes most strongly interact. on four Global 200 Ecoregions: breakdown of services and • Eastern Himalayan Alpine communications, the diminished role The Global 200 is a science-based Meadows of state agencies and authorities in global ranking of the Earth’s most • Eastern Himalayan Broadleaf and remote areas, a volatile law and order biologically outstanding terrestrial, Conifer Forests situation, and an economy in decline. freshwater and marine habitats. It • Terai - Duar Savannas and provides a critical blueprint for Grasslands and biodiversity conservation at a global • Western Himalayan Temperate scale. Forests.

6 1. Protected Area Management protected areas, which are displaced persons in ecologically has also pushed conservation low National parks and wildlife among the biggest tourist marginal areas and this has led to on the political agenda. The reserves have faced personnel attractions in the country. This, in increasing forest encroachments. political instability within the cuts in the past year. A study in turn, has affected the funds Over-exploitation of forest country has led to frequent 2002 found that the insurgency ploughed back into local resources for subsistence as well changes in policy priorities, has negatively impacted communities surrounding national as illegal harvesting have to be affecting decisions important for management of protected areas- parks and wildlife reserves. addressed immediately since biodiversity conservation. National only 34 of 112 guard posts in survival is the primary concern for security is the biggest priority with protected areas were operational. 2. Forest Conservation displaced Nepalis. The high the government. The illegal trade The restriction of movement inside The rapid spread of the pressure on forests has also of wildlife and medicinal and protected areas has also meant a insurgency has affected the disrupted traditional management aromatic plants has grown. reduction in patrolling and irregular government's hold on forest systems, especially in the fertile Nepal's status as a transit route monitoring of endangered wildlife. resources. A hundred and thirty lowlands of the Terai. for this trade has been long Infrastructure such as buildings, eight of 698 range posts, and 41 established and with weakened vehicles and communication of 92 area forest offices across 3. Poaching and Illegal Trade law enforcement, this problem is equipment have either been the country have been destroyed. The insurgency has taken a huge bound to see an alarming damaged or destroyed. There has People fleeing from conflict toll on the economy, which has increase. been loss of lives. The insurgency hotspots have also put enormous sustained losses of 2.2 per cent has taken a toll on Nepal's pressure on forests. There are an annually from 2001 onward or tourism, affecting the revenue of estimated 300,000 internally NRs 92.8 billion (2001-2005). This Suspension bridge © WWF NP Suspension bridge

7 WWF Nepal Program is affiliated with the Association of International NGOs (AIN). We

The Way Forward POUDYAL Gautam Community leadership workshop © WWF NP / present our positions in alignment with the AIN in the context of the conflict. Our security updates and The news is not all bad. There is a 2. Focus on linking conservation 6. Reconcile long-term advice is sourced from the field higher awareness of political issues with local livelihoods: sustainable practice with and channeled primarily through and the elite domination of natural Recognize economic strategies are immediate demands on the Risk Management Office resources access and use is determined by survival needs, natural resources: Approach (RMO), DFID, while USAID changing. Traditional hunting practices identify community needs, conservation with a development provides regular security updates. have decreased. Transparency in demonstrate commitment to the and economic perspective Four WWF staff received RMO's fund-use, especially among welfare of community (revenue generation), work with field-based risk management development projects as well as 3. Strengthen or at the minimum, private sector for socially and training in the past fiscal year. We CBOs, is encouraged and practiced. maintain local presence: environmentally responsible send a weekly security update, The armed conflict has meant that Increase autonomy and self-reliance practices collated from the field, to the WWF social inclusion of marginalized and of NGOs, maintain neutrality and 7. Transparency and good Network and key donors. indigenous nationalities is being widely impartiality, use reliable information governance in planning, accepted and integrated into the to assess the situation budgeting and financial Our internal risk management team mainstream. 4. Collaborate within and between transaction has become a key assesses project-based risks on sectors: Develop goodwill and operational strategy. Adoption of four levels with A being withdrawal Although there is a considerable gap build trust, identify common goals, good governance practices like and D for normal. This fiscal year, it in understanding the impact of conflict make environment information public hearings at the program hovered around B and C, which on biodiversity conservation at readily available, improve horizontal level as well as community levels means restrictions in movement present, WWF believes the way and vertical communication 8. Strengthen communications: and increasing insurgency. Several forward must: 5. Try to ensure continued Share information on contingency plans are already in 1. Be Flexible: Adapt to new funding during and after implementation modality, place and all staff are oriented on circumstances, adjust and conflict: Ensure ongoing and activities and financial WWF security guidelines. intensify planning procedures, flexible support, keep donors transactions to stakeholders and strengthen capacity of local staff informed about the situation on the wider audiences and field offices ground 8 BACKGROUND The Terai, which has several globally significant protected areas and national forests, is also the most densely populated area in Nepal. The foothills of the Churia were once pristine forests called the ‘Char Kose Jhadi’ but in the decades after the successful malaria eradication program of the 1950s and the subsequent in-migration of people, there has been tremendous pressure on its natural resources. © WWF NP / Shubash LOHANI Shubash © WWF NP /

A wealth of wildlife has always lived in the lowland forests of Nepal. Today, it supports a high density of Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris), the second largest population of the Greater One-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and the largest herd of swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli). It is also home to Asian elephants (Elephas maximus), Gangetic dolphins (Platanista gangetica), Gharial Terai Arc crocodiles (Gavialis gangeticus), Hispid hare (Caprolagus hispidus) and Bengal florican (Houbaropsis Landscape - bengalensis). Nepal 9 LOOKING AT A TERAI development, and species and LANDSCAPE ecosystem conservation. In addition, WWF has worked in the Nepali Terai the program also works on Churia VISION since 1967, beginning with rhino watershed conservation, policy A globally unique landscape where biodiversity is conserved, ecological conservation. As the forests slowly advocacy and conservation integrity is safeguarded and sustainable livelihoods of its people are secured. shrunk to small islands for wildlife in a education. Our work centres around GOAL human dominated landscape, a new biological corridors in the Khata and To conserve biodiversity, forests, soils and watersheds of the Terai and Churia approach to conservation was Basanta forests, bottlenecks in Hills in order to ensure the ecological, economic, and socio-cultural integrity envisaged. In Nepal, the Terai Arc Mahadevpuri, Lamahi and Dovan, and of the region. Landscape covers over 23,199 km2, recently, in the Laljhadi forests. They more than 75 per cent of the act as vital connections to protected remaining forests of the Terai and areas and national forests for was implemented in collaboration with field situation, contingency plans and foothills of the Churia and includes two megafauna like rhinos and elephants. Netherlands Development precautions, encouraging World Heritage Sites and three The TAL Program in Nepal also works Organization (SNV) as a forerunner to transparency and clear Ramsar sites. TAL was identified by in Parsa Wildlife Reserve, Royal a GEF funded project in three communications of our goal, His Majesty’s Government of Nepal as Chitwan National Park, Royal Bardia western districts of TAL. Multi-partner objectives, operation modality and a priority program in the 10th Plan. The National Park, Royal Shuklaphanta initiatives on Business Development resources, emphasizing direct Terai Arc Landscape-Nepal Strategic Wildlife Reserve and their buffer zones. Services – Marketing and Production benefits to local people. Plan (2004-2014) was prepared by a Services (BDS - MaPS) for promotion core team led by the Ministry of Support from all partners: of NTFP-based income also made Policy and advocacy for the smooth Forests and Soil Conservation. government, non-government, important strides. implementation of project activities community and grassroots, help us given the complex and inter-related The major focus of the Terai Arc achieve our annual targets. This fiscal The TAL Program in Nepal continues issues in the landscape was another Landscape (TAL) Program, which is year, we strengthened partnerships to operate in the current conflict priority. In the past fiscal year, TAL jointly implemented by WWF, DNPWC with other development agencies and situation. We pay close attention to lobbied extensively to protect and DoF is sustainable forest projects. The Western Terai proactive risk management initiatives biodiversity in the landscape from the management, sustainable Landscape Building Program (WTLBP) through regular assessments of the proposed joint oil exploration by His 10 Majesty’s Government of Nepal and Community forestry promoted WOMEN IN THE CONSERVATION LEAD Cairn Energy PLC. A business plan for sustainable management of forests the TAL Strategic Plan was completed and was instrumental in democratic "We built it ourselves," declares a proud Kamala Saud, 34, and the project cycle management practices at the grassroots through as she looks up at the tall wooden watch tower. When someone quips about the women in the community being was emphasized while on-going participatory decision-making and stronger than the men, the chairperson of the Sainyabar activities were reframed into an equitable sharing of the benefits. In Women User Group is quick to answer. "What would you have integrated logical framework. A the absence of elected bodies at the the women do? It was when our men failed to realize the monitoring and evaluation plan was local level, Community Forest User importance of conservation and community work that we took initiated as was the sustainable Groups (CFUGs) have become true the lead." livelihood approach and strategy. All stewards of natural resources as well The lookout of the watch tower is perched on four enormous these steps were consultative and as democratic practices. Community tree trunks at the edge of mustard fields and banana trees in participatory. management of forest resources the village of Kotiya in the buffer zone of Royal Bardia National promoted through TAL support saw Park in the Terai Arc Landscape of Nepal. This is a dalit FOREST CONSERVATION nearly 2,700 Ha of community forests community - these people are the poorest of the poor. Most of them are subsistence farmers who work small parcels of Community forestry, pro-poor handed over to 46 CFUGs in the LOHANI Shubash © WWF NP / leasehold forestry, private forestry and critical areas outside the protected land, usually just big enough to feed their families. Kamala's collaborative forest management areas and five Buffer Zone CFUGs. husband left to find work in India and she raises two children. practices are integral to forest Promotion of community forest The proximity of the fields to the forests of the protected areas has made it a hotspot management in the TAL. In the past improved the livelihoods of 8,151 user for species like rhinos, elephants, deer and wild boars that frequently raid the grains fiscal year, restoration through households. and greens. The people were tired of sleepless nights guarding the fields and hostility plantation and natural regeneration towards the animals was increasing when Kamala decided to do something. "I talked was initiated in 7,000 Ha of degraded Community based anti-poaching to people from the TAL Program and they helped us to build this watchtower," she forests. GIS analysis reveals significant operations (CBAPOs) in a dozen sites says. "Less crops are being damaged these days." changes in vegetation in the in TAL Nepal are highly effective in Not one to rest on her recent achievement, Kamala has already garnered another intervened biological corridors and controlling illegal activities such as success for her community. They are to receive new hand pumps, also through the bottlenecks. forest encroachment, logging, Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) Program. Something considered as basic as water is now another battle fought - and won - for the Sainyabar Women User Group. 11 © WWF NP / Krishna SIGDEL Krishna © WWF NP / All pics © WWF NP Irrigation pumps for agriculture help better local livelihoods Indigenous Tharu women A joint team from India and Nepal plan transboundary Local communities are actively involved in the wise-use and conservation activities management of wetlands

poaching and illegal foraging in the protection and restoration of SPECIES CONSERVATION new waterholes were constructed national forests outside the protected degraded forests in corridors and Protected area management, anti- and invasive species were removed areas as well as community forests. bottlenecks. The presence of flagship poaching operations, monitoring of from three others. Animal sightings CBAPOs contributed significantly to species such as tigers and increasing wildlife and research, habitat have increased in Parsa Wildlife Reserve safeguarding wildlife, forest products use of the corridors by rhinos and management and measures to and Royal Chitwan National Park. and vulnerable patches of forests in elephants is encouraging proof that reduce human-wildlife conflict the bottlenecks and biological these corridors are functional. continued to be of importance. However, the restoration and ensuing corridors. Squatters were removed movement of wildlife has increased from 103 Ha of forested land. A The incomes of 3,000 households Wildlife research was conducted to human-wildlife conflict. The TAL hundred and sixty three small traps were enhanced through technical and determine the home range of Program is strategizing approaches to were found and 5,462 cubic feet of financial support in non-timber forest translocated rhinoceros, endangered human wildlife conflict mitigation timber, worth US$ 3,100, was products (NTFP) based, agro-based Bengal floricans and ungulates. Tigers through sharing experiences on confiscated from timber smugglers. and off-farm income generating were monitored with camera-traps in conflict and mitigation measures. A Local communities also promoted activities. Local communities also Royal Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve regional workshop, Experience conservation education. received aid for building small-scale and other critical areas. Wildlife Sharing on Human Elephant Conflict infrastructure and basic community monitoring to establish a scientific and Mitigation Measures, was The promotion of alternative and services linked to their participation in database for key species also organized by WWF Nepal Program energy efficient technologies such as conservation benefited more than revealed intensive use of grassland together with the Department of toilet-attached biogas plants and 10,000 households. A district-level and waterholes by wildlife after National Parks and Wildlife improved cooking stoves (ICS) were forest management was initiated scientific management of grasslands Conservation in June 2005. On the instrumental in saving more than during the fiscal year by forming two and waterholes. A total of 490 Ha ground, fences were erected and 13,500 MT of wood, which further district Forestry Coordination grasslands in four protected areas trenches were maintained in fringe contributed to saving an equivalent of Committees following the were managed to reduce threats of areas to prevent foraging wild animals 102 Ha of forests from clear felling. implementation of the Western Terai habitat degradation from invasive from entering agricultural lands, This has made a positive impact on Landscape Building Project (WTLBP). species and natural succession. Five thereby reducing retaliatory actions

12 from affected farmers. Thirty-six watch national security priorities, and BLACKBUCKS BOUNCE BACK towers were built in the past year to restrictions on the movement of park help local farmers guard their fields staff due to the ground situation. After a low of just nine animals in 1975, from wildlife. Despite the setback of a reduction in a recent count of Nepal's blackbuck (Antelope cervicapra) population has the number of guard posts and the shown that the population has increased The Rhino Count 2005 at Royal strategic pullout of armed guards by to 99. The black buck's beautiful spiral

Chitwan National Park found the the Royal Nepalese Army in protected horn made the animal a popular hunting Jeff FOOTT population of Greater One-horned areas, anti-poaching operations trophy in the early 1950s. Heavy hunting anon / pushed the herds roaming Nepal's Rhinoceros had dropped from 544 in backed by informant networks aided © WWF-C 2000 to 372—a 31 per cent decline in in the arrest of 77 poachers and their lowland districts of Banke, Bardia, Kailali, and Kanchanpur to the brink of extinction. By 1975, when conservation efforts to five years. At least 94 rhinos were lost accomplices. The TAL Program save the species finally began, Nepal had a total of just nine blackbucks. to poaching and 66 to natural causes organized orientation programs for 55 such as flooding, fighting, predation Royal Nepalese Army personnel and Thanks to conservation efforts - which have long been supported by WWF-Nepal and age. This has been attributed to 20 junior staff wildlife conservation Program - the population reached a peak of 177 animals in 1989. However a decade the reduction in the number of anti- laws, poaching and illegal trade in later, this had dropped to 50 due to rapidly shrinking natural habitats, food competition poaching posts, from 32 to eight due wildlife products, and legal with domestic animals, and reprisal killings by farmers. Stray dogs, hyenas, and jackals to Maoist insurgency that changed procedures. also occasionally prey upon the animals.

Anti-poaching patrol on elephant back The Khairapur area of Bardia district, in the southwest of Nepal, is now the last refuge for blackbucks in the country. To prevent the antelopes from raiding crops, mesh wire fences have been put up near human settlements. This and other conservation measures have resulted in a steady rise in the population, with a recent count recording 99 animals.

A 527 Ha Black Buck Conservation Area in Khairapur has also been proposed for the species. WWF Nepal Program's current support to the conservation of the blackbuck is part of its Terai Arc Landscape Program.

13 Challenges and Lessons Learned

CONFLICT by wild elephants. These incidents often occur beyond the jurisdiction of Project sites in the Terai Arc Landscape did not remain unaffected by park authorities and the absence of proper compensation schemes insurgency related violence. The general deterioration in the law and further complicates the matter. The degradation of forests on the order situation coupled with constant closures and blockades, restriction elephants’ traditional migratory routes forces them to raid and damage in movement and an atmosphere of uncertainty affected the smooth crops near human settlements. Long-term mitigation measures beyond functioning of project activities. Regular coordination with concerned line compensation in cases of loss of human life or injury, or damage of crop agencies, local bodies, and representatives of local people was often or livestock within the zone, is vital for the harmonious co-existence of hampered. wildlife and people in the Terai.

Despite these constraints, the field staff worked remarkably well with SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS locals to carry out most targeted work. The dedication of over 300 The challenge that must be met in TAL is to ensure that the needs of foresters, other park staff and communities especially around the trans- the poorest of the poor are addressed more particularly. Special border protected and fringe areas is a positive trend that will reap rich mechanisms will be included in the TAL Program to encourage the dividends in the future. Without the active involvement of the people in participation of the marginalised and indigenous people in benefit sharing the Terai, conservation would be impossible at a landscape level. activities. At the other end of the spectrum, firewood demand from industries and urban areas that fuel the excessive extraction from forests HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT also needs to be addressed. WWF strongly believes that conservation Human-wildlife conflict requires constant attention. The past year and sustainable livelihoods are linked in the Terai where people are so witnessed loss of human life and damage of property, most of it caused dependent on forest products for their livelihoods.

14 © WWF-Canon / Susan A MAINKA

ituated on the southern slopes of the central Himalayas, 86 per cent of Nepal is hills and high mountains. The mid-hills have the greatest diversity of ecosystems Sand species with nearly 32 per cent of the country's forests. The high mountains are characterized by a large number of endemic species although they are relatively less diverse in flora and fauna in comparison to the mid-hills and lowlands.

Habitat degradation and over-exploitation of natural resources are the main drivers behind the loss of biodiversity in this fragile ecosystem. Also of critical importance has been the role of climate change in environmental degradation, according to research carried out in preparation of the Nepal Biodiversity Strategy.

Of Nepal's 16 protected areas, 11 are in the mid-hills and high mountains of the country. WWF Nepal Program has projects in several mountain regions in Nepal that encompass three WWF Global 200 Ecoregions:

© WWF NP / Mohan DHAKAL Mohan © WWF NP / • Eastern Himalayan Broadleaf and Conifer Forests • Eastern Himalayan Alpine Meadows, and • Western Himalayan Forests.

To address the tremendous biotic pressure on scarce forest resources in the high mountains and Our Work ensure protection of endangered species, WWF Nepal Program together with His Majesty's Government of Nepal implemented the Sagarmatha Community Agro-forestry Project in in the Sagarmatha National Park, Northern Mountains Conservation Project in Shey Phoksundo National Mountains Park and Kangchenjunga Conservation Area Project in Kangchenjunga Conservation Area. 15 THE SACRED HIMALAYAN LANDSCAPE

The landscape level approach to initiative in partnership with WWF, The SHL vision is a Himalayan conservation has been carried through ICIMOD, TMI and IUCN. With the landscape where the biological and into the Sacred Himalayan Landscape formation of the core team, this cultural treasures of the world’s (SHL), which extends 30,021km2 from partnership has extended to include highest sacred mountains and Langtang National Park in central the National Planning Commission, deepest valleys are safeguarded Nepal through the Kangchenjunga DoF, DNPWC, Eco Himal, UNDP, while people’s rights over resource region in Sikkim and Darjeeling in India SNV and DFID. A stakeholders use are ensured and livelihoods are to Toorsa Strict Nature Reserve in consultation was held at Kathmandu enhanced. Bhutan. The initiative comes under in April 2005 as part of the the greater vision of "Transboundary conceptualization phase. It was part Partnership for a Sacred Himalayan of a series of meetings to develop Landscape in the Eastern Himalayas". better understanding and partnerships for strategic planning for the landscape In Nepal, the Ministry of Forests and to address the key conservation, Soil Conservation is leading the SHL cultural and livelihoods issues.

16 Traditional healer in NMCP © WWF NP Sagarmatha Community Agro-forestry Project Growing trees on the top of the world!

awareness groups, the installation of the management of existing and © WWF NP improved cooking stoves in 12 potential red panda habitat by planting households as part of the promotion of nigalo (Aurindinaria sp), construction of The Sagarmatha Community Agro- A notable work completed in the past alternative energy technologies. fences to prevent domestic cattle forestry Project (SCAFP) was launched year was the new survey and design from entering wildlife habitat, regular at Sagarmatha National Park in 1996 of Lukla-1 Hydropower Project with a SPECIES CONSERVATION monitoring and awareness raising. The with the objective of reducing forest generating capacity of 100 KW and Important activities carried out as part project also provided field gear to pressure through community forestry, the formation of six functional groups of species conservation and habitat national park staff to help them on sustainable management of forest for its implementation. A proposal for management in the past year included their anti-poaching patrols. resources and promotion of alternative the Chuserma and Ghatte Khola energy. Micro Hydro Project was made to a potential donor. The project will have FOREST CONSERVATION the capacity of generating 105 KW of This fiscal year, SCAFP provided electricity that will benefit 572 local management support to nine plant people and reduce pressure on nurseries, five run by community local forests. forest user groups of the buffer zone, three by local monasteries and Material for 16 greenhouses were one by the project itself as part of subsidized in Syangboche to promote support to the SNP. kitchen gardens. Sixteen members of the community were trained on A total of 91,557 seedlings were horticulture. The buffer zone planted in both community and private community forest user groups were land. The bare hills around Namche mobilized to construct stone culverts were planted with 26,798 seedlings to and maintain a 150 m-long stone trail. link the plantation blocks set aside by Other activities include the the Himalayan Trust. institutionalization of four women 17 SCAFP helped in the formation of a were successful in removing several affected by the ongoing insurgency network of seven community-based snares set for musk deer. and most of the targeted activities anti-poaching units from local were carried out successfully through community forest user groups. A field exploration team lead by an close coordination with local Training and orientation was given on Amchi, a traditional Tibetan doctor, communities and partner laws governing wildlife conservation, recorded a total of 125 medicinal organizations. Conservation was problems of wildlife poaching and plants, of which 70 species have been possible primarily because people illegal trade in wildlife products, prioritized for inclusion in a book on internalized the importance and techniques used by poachers, the medicinal plants to be published in necessity of conservation and legal procedures following the arrest of 2006. Partial financial support was developed a sense of ownership. wildlife criminals and the provisions of extended for an information and Future activities will focus on CITES. The anti-poaching groups exhibition centre on high-altitude developing leadership and self-reliance Himalayan medicinal plants and their in local community-based

All pics © WWF NP conservation and sustainable use at organizations, and continue to support the Amchi clinic established by local livelihoods while promoting CROSSING THE IRON GATE Tengboche Monastery in Namche species and forest conservation. Bazaar. This year, SCAFP also Ngima Yangi Sherpa, student in Chaurikharka, Khumbu, was optimistic about getting supported the survey and study of the The emphasis in this fiscal year was to through the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) exam, often called the "Iron Gate". For Ngima, getting this far is an achievement in itself. "Being able to sit for the SLC exam farming potential of seabuckthorn enhance cooperation between WWF was a dream for me because my parents almost took me out of school in grade six (Hippophae tibetana) to promote its Nepal Program and major since they couldn't afford to pay the bills," Ngima says. "Fortunately, I was selected use in increasing off-farm livelihoods. stakeholders regarding key policy for a scholarship from the Women Awareness Group formed by Sagarmatha issues related to sustainable livelihoods Community Agro-forestry Project." It hasn't been an easy path for this young girl. It CHALLENGES AND and landscape-level conservation, takes her an hour to get to school and another hour to reach home. But Ngima finds LESSONS LEARNED especially in the newly conceptualized time way from studies to pursue other interest: she is an active Eco Club member and works with her group to raise awareness and participate in clean-up campaigns. SCAFP was comparatively less Sacred Himalayan Landscape. Her teachers praise her diligence and hard work, her family is proud of her progress at school. "I would like to continue studying and then work to help my people lead better lives," says Ngima. "Thank you SCAFP for helping me!" 18 Kangchenjunga Conservation Area Project Ecological integrity with economic benefits

but also to contribute substantially to FOREST CONSERVATION © WWF NP conservation. Communities also KCAP secured NRs 17 million from benefited from infrastructure KAAA for the construction of two The goal of the Kangchenjunga Management Council (KCAMC) development like bridges through micro-hydro plants, which will greatly Conservation Area Project (KCAP), reflects the success of KCAP in support from the Kadoorie Agriculture reduce fuelwood pressure on forests. initiated jointly by WWF Nepal building capacity and institutionalizing Aid Association (KAAA). Although construction has yet to Program and DNPWC at community-based organizations. The Kangchenjunga Conservation Area in KCAMC has been registered as a 1998, is to ensure the management local NGO and a community of biodiversity in the conservation management regulation, operation area by communities for ecological manual, and business plan were integrity and socio-economic drafted. benefits. Unsustainable harvesting of natural resources, intensive livestock To better local livelihoods, KCAP grazing, slash and burn agricultural supported the production of Nepali practices, forest encroachment, handmade paper from Lokta (Daphne wildlife poaching and illegal extraction bholua) by two local entrepreneurs. A of medicinal plants are major threats two-month hotel development training to the rich biodiversity of the for local residents was conducted Kangchenjunga region. along with other skill enhancement activities like veterinary and The decision of His Majesty’s community medical assistant training. Government of Nepal to hand the KCAP also helped in the construction management responsibilities of the of a child daycare centre to enable conservation area over to the mothers not only to set aside more Kangchenunga Conservation Area time to better the family’s livelihood

19 begin, this project has already 2004. The team monitored sites aromatic plants but its close proximity mobilized local communities to initiate where musk deer had been poached to Tibetan settlements across the preliminary groundwork. The and removed several snares. border has led to illegal harvesting and reforestation and natural regeneration export of valuable plants, especially program continue to motivate mother The Snow Leopard Conservation kutki (Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora) groups, user committees and local Committee monitored nine snow and maikopila (Saussurea tridactyla). A Eco Clubs. They planted 8,191 tree leopard transects in November 2004. seven-member community-based and fodder seedlings in 3.3 Ha of There was no sighting of the elusive monitoring team set up by KCAP community and privately owned land. animal. A total of 210 blue sheep in confiscated 91.5 kg of kutki from Three plant nurseries managed by both sites were seen. A livestock illegal harvesters. The team also user groups and mother groups depredation survey revealed that 19 removed several traps set for blood planted a commendable 18,691 livestock, including yak, chauri and pheasant in the area. seedlings of 22 species of fruit, fodder goats, were killed by snow leopards in and trees. Ghunsa and Yangma between April- CHALLENGES AND LESSONS September 2004. In consultation with LEARNED SPECIES CONSERVATION local communities, KCAP prepared a An atmosphere of high uncertainty As part of community-based wildlife community-based livestock insurance coupled with restrictions imposed by monitoring, a team comprising scheme and received funding from the the insurgents, affected the community members and government Swiss Development Committee. implementation of a significant amount employees conducted wildlife of KCAP activities in the second half of monitoring in critical areas of Walangchung Gola harbours several the fiscal year. This allowed for more Walangchung Gola in December species of high value medicinal and policy work to be conducted at the All NP pics © WWF 20 central level from Kathmandu where Kangchenjunga as an opportunity to WWF Nepal Program actively highlight the biodiversity of the area engaged in coordinating local and and the achievements of the ongoing national support to improve the project.

working situation. For instance, KCAP © WWF NP utilized the golden jubilee celebrations The past year underlined the need for of the first ascent of Mt project activities to address local LIGHT ON THE MOUNTAINS problems and sustain conservation

work through the involvement of A solar lighting system has been installed for villagers in north-east Nepal. people. Partnership development and WWF Nepal Program, together with the Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Association, collaborative effort remains crucial to coordinated the distribution of solar panels to 193 households in the village of the effective implementation of Tapethok in the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area. The majority of the rural activities in remote, rural areas like the poor living in the more remote parts of the country still depend on kerosene lamps. For those who can't afford kerosene, they collect pinewood to burn. Kangchenjunga Conservation Area. On a brighter note, the preparation of "The solar lighting system has not only enabled us to work late but also help the Strategic Plan for the Sacred our children to do homework at night," said Bishnu Kumari Limbu, one of the Himalayan Landscape is underway, villagers who received a solar panel. "Now there is also no discomfort from which primarily holds onto lessons the burning wood and kerosene smoke." learned from KCAP and the Terai Arc Landscape Program. The aim of the solar lighting system project is to encourage local people living in the conservation area to use alternative energy and to reduce biotic pressure on the surrounding forests. The solar panels have been provided to the poorest households of the area who are largely dependent on forest resources for energy.

"The local villagers have a positive attitude towards the project and are highly appreciative of our efforts," said Ang Phuri Sherpa, project manager of WWF's Kangchenjunga Conservation Area project. "We will train some sixteen locals of Tapethok and other villagers to facilitate the installation of another 333 sets of solar panels." 21 © Park, UK Zoological Marwell Northern Mountains Conservation Project Better conservation together with good governance

sister groups with training on its proper others in the village are all set to ‘learn © WWF NP utilization to benefit all members. by doing’.

The aim of the Northern Mountains local communities for the sustainable To encourage the participation of FOREST CONSERVATION Conservation Project (NMCP), use of natural resources. marginalized and the disadvantaged Nursery management and plantations implemented in Shey Phoksundo groups, 27 local women participated were strengthened through forest user National Park and buffer zone, is to In order to promote indigenous in a training course on growing groups and buffer zone user conserve the pristine ecology of the knowledge for conservation and local kitchen gardens. With at least one committees in NMCP. They planted park by strengthening the capabilities livelihoods, the project continued to community member as a 2,145 seedlings of pine, walnut and of local user groups, NGOs, and park support Amchis in Dolpo through the ‘conservation farmer’ in each village, salix. The survival of the plants is 73 staff to carry out integrated two Amchi traditional health care conservation and development centres (THCCs) in the villages of initiatives. Phoksundo and Dho. These THCCs provided service to 135 local patients NMCP is a joint initiative of WWF during the year and generated funds Nepal Program and DNPWC. It has a towards its running costs. two-pronged project: People and Plant Initiative (PPI) and the In this fiscal year, NMCP provided Strengthening of Governance in infrastructure for basic amenities like Utilization of Natural Resources drinking water and toilets to benefit (SAGUN). Initiated in 1997 and nearly 150 rural households. Funds for completed in June 2005, PPI 256 sets of improved cooking stoves addressed conservation and were secured. A watermill and an oil development issues related to the use processing mill were made in two of plant resources. SAGUN was villages. The economic empowerment initiated in 2002 to focus on of women was boosted through a strengthening governance among fund of NRs 35,000 each to two local 22 per cent on average. To promote the exchange experiences with other globally threatened species, its use of local medicinal plants, the NMCP communities. distribution and status in Nepal, and © WWF NP / Gautam POUDYAL supported research on medicinal and threats faced by the charismatic cat. Schoolgirls in Dolpo aromatic plants (MAPs) nurseries during To promote alternative energy, NMCP The other training program organized the fiscal year. The People and Plants provided solar sets to 128 households for park rangers and local game Initiative continued to provide support in upper Dolpa and organized a five- scouts was focused on monitoring for in-situ and ex-situ conservation of day training on its fittings and techniques of snow leopard transects MAPs. Although slow-growing species maintenance. Improved cooking stoves and data collection. has yet to yield commercial benefits, were given to 113 households of lower local communities remain motivated Dolpa to reduce fuelwood pressure on A WWF survey carried out to assess about the long-term benefits of natural resources. A feasibility survey livestock depredation in critical areas cultivating MAPs. was conducted in five sites for micro- as part of the snow leopard hydro electricity estimated at a conservation program found more School children learned traditional skills capacity of 51 KW. This is expected to damage was caused by wolves than of using locally available medicinal not only reduce dependency on forest the elusive cat, with sheep as the plants from the traditional Amchi resources but also effect changes in major prey. The study also concluded discipline. The operational plans for two rural lifestyle practices. that crop damage by ungulates was Traditional Health Care Centres at Dho negligible. were finalized during the year. Other SPECIES CONSERVATION activities included an orientation In order to generate awareness and An orientation program to promote workshop on non-timber forest seek local people’s support for snow anti-poaching succeeded in products and the institutionalization, leopard conservation, the project set consolidating local efforts to deter capacity building and strengthening of up a nine-member Snow Leopard wildlife poaching. Members of community-based organizations Conservation Committee (SLCC) at community forest user groups, buffer through various activities like inventory Dho VDC. A training program was zone user groups, Eco Clubs and keeping, rangeland management, a also organized during the year for the youth clubs actively patrol their public hearing and audit, financial committee members about the respective forests. Hundreds of snares management, and an exposure tour to importance of conservation of the set for wild animals were removed. 23 All pics © WWF NP Amchi gathering medicinal plants CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED Increased insurgency related disturbances in the area and an atmosphere of uncertainty severely restrained the mobility of NMCP field staff. As a result, project monitoring was hampered. The importance of capacity building to institutionalize community-based organizations became of critical importance as NMCP implemented most project activities through community-based organizations and local NGOs. The People and Plants Initiative, which has drawn to a close, not only contributed to the institutionalization of traditional health

care services but also to the sustainable livelihoods of the people. The People and Plants POUDYAL Gautam © WWF NP / Initiative showed the absolute necessity of providing tangible benefits to local communities to win their support and stewardship for biodiversity conservation. LEARNING HER LETTERS

When Hansi Sarki's neighbors asked her to volunteer as a health worker in her village of Tripurakot, she was afraid to face the ridicule of other women that could read and write. Apart from being illiterate, Hansi's hesitancy had a deep-rooted foundation in her family's poverty and Dalit background in this remote district of Dolpa in Nepal's northwest. Despite her misgivings, she joined the centre.

One day at work, a colleague told her about a non-formal education program conducted by the Northern Mountains Conservation Project (NMCP). Hansi immediately joined the class conducted for local women, worked hard and soon learned to read and write. Today, everyone comments on her transformation. Hansi brims with confidence. She spoke to Pabitra Thapa, a field staff at NMCP, and proudly said: "I can now write my name, read the calendar, register children who come to the health center and maintain a record of medicines. I can also keep an account of domestic expenditures and help children with their schoolwork."

Hansi is sad the informal education program in her village has ended. She wants to learn more. Like Hansi, many local men and women have benefited from NMCP's non-formal education program in Dolpa's isolated villages. With a project goal that aims to conserve biodiversity in Shey Phoksundo National Park by strengthening the capacities of the local communities, educating those like Hansi is a perfect way of not only helping people to help themselves but also to conserve nature. 24 © WWF NP / Nikko © WWF NP / limate change is a global concern. With every degree rise in temperature - vulnerability is increasing. We know that the major cause of global warming is the C excessive emission of greenhouse gases, the major contributors of which are developed nations. Nepal’s population comprises less than 0.4 per cent of the global count and we are responsible for emitting only about 0.025 per cent of greenhouse gases annually. Yet Nepal is one of the most vulnerable countries due to our fragile mountain ecosystems, poverty coupled with slow economic growth and more importantly, lack of resources, both financial and technical, to adapt with the rapidly changing climate. Unfortunately, climate change is not a priority in the national planning process. It is evident that there is an information gap and a relatively low level of awareness among key stakeholders on climate change issues in comparison with other environmental threats.

Recognizing these challenges, WWF Nepal Program started its Climate Change Program in August 2003. Since then, the program has evolved tremendously, and now focuses on four

© WWF NP / Sandeep CHAMLING RAI CHAMLING Sandeep © WWF NP / areas of intervention: • Impact Research leading to effective national and international negotiations for national climate change policy formulation and reducing impacts; • Adaptation work to address climate change vulnerabilities and build resilience of those Climate Change vulnerable communities; • Facilitating international negotiations of the government and civil society to initiate Program: effective dialogues at international platforms such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); and From Local • Raise awareness to enhance the understanding of climate change issues at local, national and international levels. to Global 25 As a part of impact research, WWF “Meltdown in Nepal”, a documentary Nepal Program initiated the Himalayan that highlights Nepal’s vulnerabilities Glacier and River Project. The from global warming in the form of regional research project generates glacier lake outburst flood (GLOF) data to be used in forecasting events. It has been instrumental in changes under different climatic getting the attention of the global scenarios and to verify the direct community at various occasions like the relationship between climate change Conference of Parties (COP 10) for and glacier retreat. UNFCCC at Buenos Aires, Argentina, in December 2004. Apart from research, we have been actively involved in enabling the voices Further to this, the Climate Change of climate change vulnerable Program is a member secretariat of the communities to be heard at national Climate Change Network Nepal PROGRAM VISION (50 Years): as well as international fora through (CCNN), a network of nine different Nepal’s people, biodiversity, ecosystem, the Climate Witness Project. A major NGOs/INGOs that has been successful watersheds and Himalayan water towers are output of the Climate Witness Project in lobbying for reviewing national policy, safeguarded from climate change impacts. is the production and the launch of raising awareness, capacity building and providing technical support to the PROGRAM GOAL: government of Nepal. This year, By 2014, the vulnerabilities of biodiversity, CCNN’s lobbying was fruitful in bringing ecosystems and people to climate change out a new policy that led to the impacts in Nepal are mainstreamed in the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol by His national development planning process and Majesty’s Government of Nepal. adaptation strategies are implemented to address and reduce the impact of climate change.

Payal at Imja Tsho © WWF NP / NP / WWF © NEWAR Tsho at Imja Payal Naresh 26 © WWF NP / Aarati GURUNG Aarati © WWF NP / NORBU SHERPA WWF Climate Change Witness - Nepal

Extract from the speech at Climate Witness Events during COP 10 Both pics © WWF NP / Sandeep CHAMLING RAI Both © WWF NP / pics December 2004

“Life in the mountains is already very hard, but when dangers like a flood are almost completed Micro Hydro Power Plant in Thamo. I hear that cost $1.5 added, it threatens everything we build and grow with so much difficulty. million. I cannot even imagine how much money that is but any loss, big or small, is hard to bear. The suspension bridge in our village was destroyed by the flood “I know this from bitter experience. Nearly 19 years ago, at 3 pm on 4 August and for a long time it was hard to get food and supplies. 1985, a glacier lake in Langmoche Glacier burst. This flood from Dig Tsho Glacier Lake came so rapidly and with such force that it washed away five houses, “That flood changed my life. I was studying to become a monk but after we lost many cattle and large chunks of fertile farm land. My family home was one of everything, I had to take a different path. Now I am a trekking guide and with my those houses. The flood swept away our vegetable farm and I can remember earnings, my family has built a small trekkers lodge in Ghat. how terrified our cow looked as it drowned. “My story is not unique to the people of the Khumbu. I was not the only person “The water rushed by for two hours and after that my family was left with whose life was changed forever by the Dig Tsho flood in 1985. Now I hear that nothing. The next day, our neighbours helped us to look for anything we could events like this can become more frequent in the Himalayas. In the years that I use in the mud near the river bank. All we could get was a few things from our have worked as a trekking and expedition guide, I have seen snow lines and kitchen - nothing else. We were homeless and landless but the Sherpa people glaciers go back higher and higher. Meanwhile, new lakes are forming; others are kind. Our neighbour gave us refuge for more than month. are growing larger and larger.

“I am thankful that the Dig Tsho flood happened during the day. Had it been at “I am a man of the mountains, of my people. We do not usually have access to night, I would not be here to tell you my story. We had our lives but that event the big international groups who will hear our pleas for help to save the lost us everything we owned, equal to about Rs 12 lakhs in our currency or mountains and our lives. Please, take the issue of climate change seriously $16,000 at that time. This is no small sum. For many Sherpas in the mountains, because it’s about people, lives and livelihoods everywhere, from Buenos Aires to this is the earnings of a lifetime. Later, I heard the same flood had destroyed the my small village of Ghat in the shadows of the Himalayas.” 27 © WWF NP / Gautam POUDYAL Gautam © WWF NP /

e inhabit a "water planet", where almost 70 per cent of its surface is covered by water, out of which less than 2.5 per cent consists of freshwater and the rest is W salt water. Life on this planet depends on only 0.26 per cent of freshwater, which is accessible. Freshwater ecosystems have a higher species density than either terrestrial or marine habitat. However, this critical resource is under greater threat than the other habitats, showing a far greater decline in freshwater fish species.

Nepal has been blessed with approximately 6,000 rivers and rivulets and more than 600 lakes. All rivers flowing south from Nepal form part of the headwaters of the Ganges River Basin, one of the 20 largest rivers in the world and home to nearly 500 million people. The rivers flowing from Nepal comprise 40 per cent of the main annual flow and 70 per cent of the dry season flow of the Ganges.

Despite this water wealth, the average Nepali does not have enough water to meet basic needs,

© WWF NP / Neera S PRADHAN nor is all the available water potable. A sharp growth in Nepal's population has increased pressure on the available water resources resulting in intense pressure on water resources being used for groundwater extraction, drainage for irrigation and fishing to sustain livelihood. As Nepal rushes Freshwater closer to an inevitable water crisis, WWF Nepal Program initiated partnership with like-minded organizations to consolidate efforts to safeguard our freshwater resources to conserve biodiversity Program: dependent on it and enhance the livelihoods of people. Conserving the Source of Life 28 The Freshwater Program was initiated wetlands; and Hence, WWF Nepal Program, with in October 2004 to work on the „ establish/maintain viable support from WWF International emerging issues, minimize impacts populations of freshwater indicator (Freshwater Program) and WWF-UK and threats, and sustainable utilization species and conserve its habitats. (PPA), joined hands with His Majesty's and conservation of freshwater for Government of Nepal and initiated a future generations by integrating with Highlighting the importance of study to prepare an inventory of HAW the ongoing projects in the mountains freshwater and its habitat in Nepal. The main objective of this and the Terai Arc Landscape - Nepal. conservation, various awareness study is to develop a comprehensive The major focus of the program is to: raising activities were conducted for database on HAWs of Nepal where „ support government policy to target groups like students, WWF Nepal Program and DNPWC safeguard freshwater resources; environmental journalists and local have collaborative programs: „ enhance institutional capacity and communities. WWF Nepal Program Kangchenjunga Conservation Area, improve co-ordination and co- also identified pressing issues operation among related pertaining to freshwater in the Terai government agencies and and the mountains. institutions at the local, district and national level to work on Conservation of High Altitude freshwater issues; Wetlands (HAW) has become an

© WWF NP VISION: Himalayan water towers and „ achieve increased participation (at increasingly significant global issue in freshwater habitats in Nepal are various levels) in conservation and recent years, especially given that conserved and sustainable managed sustainable management of these wetlands function as water to benefit people and nature. freshwater habitats by generating towers for the world. In Nepal, very awareness and strengthening limited studies and research have GOAL: By 2011, WWF Nepal Program will champion the decision capabilities; been carried out on high mountain conservation and management of „ maintain and restore freshwater wetlands. There is paucity of wetlands and ecological processes habitats and environmental information especially with regard to are maintained and restored processes of river basins and wetland threats and management. through conservation efforts. 29 WISE USE OF WETLANDS + COMMUNITY RUN FISH FARMS = PEOPLE FOR CONSERVATION

Nepal's far-western districts of Kailali and Kanchanpur are dotted with natural lakes and ponds. With a growing understanding for the need of the wise of wetlands, local communities are beginning to put their knowledge into practice. With the technical and financial support of the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) Program, community forest user groups in these districts are learning to enrich their wetland resources and their livelihoods.

They began by forming smaller groups in charge of the ponds in their patch of community forest. Then they contributed labour to clean these wetlands, some of which were close to disappearing. "We got the idea of fish farming in our neglected lakes and ponds

from the TAL Program," says Madan Singh Badayek, the / Michel GUNTHER © WWF-Canon / TK SHRESTHA © WWF-NP KARKI / JB © WWF-NP coordinator of the Laljhadi Community Forest User Group. "It's simple to see that taking care of our ponds and lakes means that we also benefit." In 2005, the fry of commercially popular species Sagarmatha National Park and Shey Nepal Program, with the support from WWF of fish were released in the newly restored ponds. Phoksundo National Park. This study will also UK (Freshwater Program), initiated a status incorporate Langtang National Park in view of survey of dolphins in the Karnali River and its The fish ponds are expected to earn between NRs 25,000 - the recent planning for the Sacred Himalayan tributaries in TAL-Nepal, a threat analysis of its 200,000 (US$350 - 2,800). The fish has a ready market at the district headquarters and the locals are already exploring the Landscape (SHL), which is an initiative led by habitat and awareness raising at local and possibility of taking their fish further. Most importantly, this local the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation national level on dolphin conservation. initiative has not only improved sustainable livelihoods but has also and key partners. garnered the stewardship of people for the conservation of Through the TAL Program, WWF Nepal ecologically important wetlands. In the Terai belt, river dolphins (Platanista Program is also working in the Ghodaghodi gangetica), the freshwater flagship species, Lake system, one of four Ramsar Sites in are highly vulnerable to external threats as Nepal, for the conservation of biodiversity and their habitat requirements often place them in enhancement of livelihood of local areas where human activities are most communities. The overall goal of the project is intense. The river dolphin population is for Ghodaghodi Lake to be managed by local believed to close to local extinction in the indigenous community institutions and benefit Karnali River in the absence of conservation livelihoods by ensuring ecological integrity of actions on both sides of the Nepal and India the wetland ecosystem. borders. Taking this into consideration, WWF

30 © WWF NP / Dhan RAI Dhan © WWF NP / overty is a grim reality for many Nepalis and with more than 80 per cent of the population dependent on agriculture, there is high pressure on natural resources. This is Pespecially acute on the fringes of protected areas, accounting for nearly 18 per cent of Nepal's total land cover, because local communities are heavily dependent on forest resources for their livelihoods. To save fragile ecosystems, poverty needs to be tackled with appropriate strategies without compromising natural resource bases. Neither the mountains nor the lowlands can be regarded as an unlimited natural resource for rapidly growing populations.

Three decades of biodiversity conservation in the country has shown effective conservation is not possible without the active and participatory involvement of local people. WWF's support for conservation in Nepal has evolved with the change in government policy from strict law enforcement practices of the early years to a more conciliatory approach. This has culminated in the establishment of buffer zones around protected areas and revenue sharing with local people for community development works. Both pics © WWF NP Both pics WWF Nepal recognizes that conservation is intrinsically interwoven with the issues of livelihoods of local people. In 2002, we adopted the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA) to maximize Sustainable conservation benefits directly with improving the lives of people, which in turn would bring about their Livelihoods meaningful participation in the wise-use of natural resources. Sustainable development is a major component in all our programs implemented in both the lowlands for Better and the mountains. Development work aimed at improving local livelihoods has created a positive attitude in locals. Community groups living in fringe areas are not only contributing significantly in natural regeneration and restoration of degraded patches of forest in crucial biological corridors but also helping Conservation to curb wildlife poaching and illegal extraction of forest products. 31 © WWF NP © WWF NP / Gokarna J THAPA J Gokarna © WWF NP / SHERPA Phuri Ang © WWF NP / © WWF NP / Ang Phuri SHERPA Phuri Ang © WWF NP / Preparing a vegetable nursery: An exercise of learning by doing Terai wetlands: Traditional source of foods for Back-boiler: An energy efficient device installed in KCA, Taplejung Farmers map local natural resources in the Terai in KCA,Taplejung indigenous communities

Our programs link the issues of local make up project cycle management „ Promotion of eco-tourism and development of the next phase of the livelihoods with natural resources for use in adaptive management species tourism through human Sagarmatha Project Document. conservation, and encourage local practices. Recommendations have skills enhancement. participation and stewardship by been made in the areas of entry Different indicators that reflect creating opportunities of income points and activities to support good In the past fiscal year, the activities livelihoods changes at various level of generation. Our efforts are not governance, institutional assessment, undertaken focused primarily in these log-frame outputs were designed and confined to immediate tangible policy analysis and advocacy, and areas. Ten different Livelihoods Impact an orientation on key sustainable livelihoods needs but also to build local monitoring and evaluation. It Indicators were developed for WWF livelihoods issues of social inclusion capacity to transform conservation emphasizes the need to deliver Nepal Program to define conservation and vulnerability assessment was benefits to other subsistence multiple benefits that ensure people contribution to livelihoods and current conducted at WWF NP offices. resources. are not alienated from natural resources monitoring activities are based on Sustainable livelihoods were an that they depend on. them. A pre-feasibility study in June important component in assessing the The major achievement of The broad areas that WWF supports 2004, using SLA in Langtang National overall contribution of WWF Nepal the past fiscal year was are as follows: Park, defined potential entry points for Program to achieving the Millennium designing and publishing „ Promotion of non-timber forest further feasibility studies. Major issues Development Goals for AIN. The Sustainable Livelihoods: products; identified were grazing pressures, sustainable livelihoods component was A Sustainable „ Agro-forestry based income potential of eco-tourism and species also incorporated in the preparation of Livelihoods generating activities; tourism, community forestry and a four-year achievement assessment Mainstreaming „ Forest-based enterprises; livestock diseases. A similar of WWF Nepal Program and to Strategy. This „ Building institutional capacity of assessment to identify SLA entry determine the future direction of the document is well on conservation/ natural resource points was conducted in Sagarmatha organization. This gave us critical its way to becoming an management groups or National Park in April 2004. feedback and identified information important guide in integrating SLA by community-based organizations; Community consultation and consent, gaps in our efforts and helped us chart giving strategic directions and raising „ Promotions of affordable and and different tourism and species our future steps. issues that need to be considered. It appropriate alternative energy based livelihoods opportunities were examines how this approach may be technologies; and identified. This visit initiated the incorporated in the various stages that 32 © WWF NP / Neelima SHRESTHA Neelima © WWF NP /

n the past fiscal year, WWF Nepal Program has continued to explore ways and means to strengthen our communication and education work, especially in the field. We worked Iextensively in sharing conservation messages in our program areas and with national and global audiences.

In our efforts to reach different audiences, our online portal, www.wwfnepal.org received an update in keeping with new branding guidelines to make it fit the profile of a global conservation organization. Several new features, like postcards and a photo gallery were added. The website is updated with news, feature stories and digital versions of our latest publications.

We actively supported regional, national and international press interest in conservation work in Nepal. An MTV documentary with major Hollywood stars was filmed at Royal Chitwan National Park. Initiatives in the park and the Eco Club of Nawalparasi were featured on MTV

© WWF NP Trippin’ in March 2005. Working with WWF Netherlands, a press trip to the Himalayas for four Dutch journalists to witness climate change impact in the mountain environment was organized in November 2004. The coverage the Netherlands generated important interest for Sharing climate change issues in the Himalayas. A team from British Broadcasting Cooperation (BBC) Television visited Nepal to document the climate change impact issues in June 2005. They Conservation: visited the weather monitoring station of Department of Hydrology and Meteorology at Dolalghat and interacted with the local people. The documentary was broadcast during the Communication and G8 summit in July 2005. Conservation Education 33 All pics © WWF NP Filming a rhino documentary at RCNP Visitors at a WWF exhibition stall Conservation education class for Miss Nepal contestants 2004

We lay great emphasis on the conservation. A team of journalists “Prospect and Challenges for Nepal Meghauli in the Buffer Zone of Royal planning and production of the from Bardia, Kailali and Kanchanpur after ratifying Kyoto Protocol” and Chitwan National Park (RCNP) with fortnightly radio program Bhuparidhi, district led by Umid Bagchand of BBC other programmes. the theme “Ustai Prani Ustai Pida, which enjoyed continued success in Nepali Service, visited the Royal Milera Jogaun Ek Singe Gaida”, which the Terai. Dramas, interviews and Bardia National Park and Buffer Zone, Communications is a vital part of emphasizes the pain that all living information-sharing in the enjoyable RSWR Buffer Zone, Khata corridor sharing conservation lessons and creatures suffer and therefore, format refined in the past year and project sites in Kailali districts. successes. We are now in the encourages everyone to unite in highlighted many important issues and process of developing a saving the rhinos. Events included a succeeded in winning a wider Dates of importance in the Communication Strategy in line with a door-to-door campaign among audience. conservation calendar feature new Strategic Plan for the indigenous communities, discussions prominently for communication drives organization, which will be complete in with buffer zone user committees WWF Nepal Program has always in WWF Nepal Program. On the June 2006. Communicating within the (BZUC), a speech competition supported environmental journalism in occasion of Mt Kangchenjunga organization is also an important focused on rhino conservation, skits, the country. On World Wetlands Day Golden Jubilee, a seminar on priority. The 12th Anniversary media trip for journalists and (2 February 2004) a sensitization “Adventure Tourism, Conservation and celebration was an in-office event interactions with Chief Warden Shiva workshop for environmental journalists Development in Kangchenjunga” was focused on and fostered a sense of Raj Bhatta and Dr Sarala Khaling of was organized jointly by DoF, organized by Nepal Mountaineering pride in the staff with the initiation of WWF NP, and a popular lok dohari DNPWC, WWF Nepal Program and Association on 25 May 2005. World peer-voted awards in several (folk song) session with a rhino IUCN. We participated in a technical Environment Day 2004 was categories like Employee of the Year conservation theme. Conservation session on the 11th Anniversary of celebrated with various programs in and Best Team Player. Ambassador Payal Shakya also Society of Environmental Journalists the Terai Arc Landscape. Together attended the campaign and stressed (SEJ). Program Officers updated the with the Ministry of Environment, After the discouraging results of Rhino the responsibility of young people in attendees on new developments in Science and Technology (MOEST) Count 2005, the Save the Rhino the conservation of rhinos. their projects and highlighted the links and Climate Change Network Nepal campaign kicked off on 22 May 2005, between journalism and effective (CCNN), WWF organized a workshop International Biodiversity Day, at 34 Publications

CONSERVATION AMBASSADOR: BEAUTY WITH A PURPOSE

Payal Shakya, Miss Nepal 2004, was our first Conservation Ambassador. She was in the unique position of reaching different communities and age groups not only here in Nepal but also in the international arena. As a young person, she influenced her peers on the urgency of conservation and proactive measures by sharing experiences and

impressions. © WWF NP

Payal played an important role in highlighting the issue of climate change and its impacts. She traveled to Sagarmatha National Park to witness firsthand the effects of global warming on the Himalayas. The subsequent documentary “Meltdown in Nepal” was launched as part of the international Climate Witness Project to create awareness among the public and policy-makers on the impact of climate change in the country. Payal, accompanied by Sandeep Chamling Rai, Climate Change Officer of WWF NP, trekked to Imja Tsho and Dig Tsho glacier lakes, talking to locals along the trail, many of them whose lives have been affected by glaciers melting in the Himalayas.

Payal contributed immensely to the success of the Save the Rhino campaign on the occasion of International Biodiversity Day. Her presence and active involvement helped in bringing wider attention to the issue of poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Her stress on the importance of the role and responsibility of youth towards the conservation of the Greater One-horned Rhinoceros has undoubtedly inspired many young Nepalis.

She also played an important role in many of our celebrations like the WWF Nepal Program 12th Anniversary, the Abraham Conservation Award 2005, awareness raising drives among schools in Pokhara and the Kangchenjunga Golden Jubilee Celebration among others.

35 Conservation Education

The ongoing conservation education which 261 people benefited through programs are designed for the school both basic and post-literacy classes. children, teachers, community Additionally, 38 children received basic members and general public in order education classes through the TAL to enhance their decision capability for program. conservation and sustainable development. An important focus for the conservation education program was to improve the This is aimed at school children quality of environment education in through the formation and support of schools through Eco Clubs. Eighty the school-based environment groups teachers in the mountain project areas © WWF NP / Dinanath BHANDARI Dinanath © WWF NP / called Eco Clubs. Fifty-three new Eco Eco Club members welcome guests to a conservation essay competition, SCAFP Tablemat made from discarded KCAP, NMCP and SCAFP were wrappers by Eco Club students Clubs were formed during the fiscal trained on mountain environment, its year, bringing the total number of biodiversity and resources. They were these clubs in WWF Nepal Program Support for the education of deserving also taught to use the Applied project areas to 265. Exposure tours, students continued with 139 deserving Environmental Education Training training, orientation and interaction and needy students in the Terai and Package to build their capacities on activities were organized and this has mountain project areas provided with environmental education. encouraged conservation awareness stipends: 88 came from families among students, effecting positive affected by human/wildlife conflict. We Investments made in conservation changes in attitude and behavior. In continued to focus on the involvement education and communications yield Lamahi, a critical area for the TAL of communities in conservation efforts important benefits from the local to the program in Nepal, Eco Club members by building capacities through non- global level. We look upon new organized an intensive campaign to formal education (NFE) classes. This challenges and new opportunities to

© WWF NP raise awareness on community forest fiscal year 16 NFE classes were work with people to ensure a living Non-formal education helps women learn how to read and write among 19 CFUGs. organized in the project areas from planet.

36 upporting the development of projects, monitoring the achievements, learning from the successes and meeting challenges to reach our Sconservation goals. Program development involves the establishment of desired goals in order to identify a plan for achieving them. Teams comprising of staff from different program units and finance and administration work together according to a mutually agreed process and an action plan. This year some of the major work in program development were:

GRACEFUL EXITS: We have been working in Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) and Shey Phoksundo National Park (SPNP) for nearly a decade. From site-based conservation to a landscape level focus, we have moved also from an Integrated Conservation and Development Projects

Machan for wildlife monitoring © WWF NP WWF © Machan for wildlife monitoring to the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach. The latter is a more holistic approach to addressing the conservation-livelihoods interface, particularly in the very complex operating environment that we work in. Comprehensive plans were developed for the Program phase-out that involved community consultations, other stakeholder consultation, consolidation of work and documenting lessons learnt on the successes as well as the Development, shortcomings of our intervention in these sites. Research and Monitoring

37 NEW PROGRAMS - NEW FOCUS: TAL. Tiger monitoring was conducted Regional Office. The study is the SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM: In SNP and SPNP, we will be using camera traps in Royal process of sharing knowledge and Action research grants were provided implementing the 2nd Phase Programs Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. experience of different stakeholders to 16 students, out of which two were with new focus areas that include Preliminary data analysis showed an including DNPWC, DOF, NGOs and PhD scholars, nine Masters and five species conservation, in particular estimate of 27 breeding tigers in the Buffer Zone institutions, community Bachelors level students. Five snow leopards and its prey base, non- reserve. Prey monitoring showed a forest institutions and other civil students were provided research timber forest products as a major high abundance of ungulates in society organizations. A grants through the Terai Arc livelihoods strategy, institutions protected areas and in the corridor Socioeconomic Assessment of the Landscape Program. Research strengthening in terms of good forests. Royal Chitwan National Park Sacred Himalayan Landscape, Nepal activities were carried out in diverse governance, sustainability, service has been one of the best habitats for was conducted with the main geographical locations that involved providers and implementations, rhino population in Nepal. The Rhino objective of identifying key snow leopard and prey species study addressing vulnerabilities of climate Count 2005 conducted in Royal stakeholders, analyzing key threats in Sagarmatha region to NTFP study change, alternative energy and Chitwan National Park in March 2005 and opportunities and proposing in Sikles in Annapurna Conservation freshwater biodiversity issues. A new showed a population of 372 rhinos in strategies for livelihood and Area to ungulate and grassland area of operation - Langtang National the park. conservation issues. research in the Terai. Park has also been identified and pre- feasibility surveys and a district level RESEARCH: planning exercise have already been Key research and conducted. Project documents with documentation these new focus areas are being focused on prepared following a systematic lessons learnt from process and an action plan the TAL Field Learning Site as part of AN EYE ON THE TERAI the Ecosystem, Protected WILDLIFE: Areas and People project Wildlife monitoring focusing on flagship supported by IUCN

species like tiger, ungulates, rhinos, / Aarati GURUNG Bengal Florican was carried out in © WWF NP

38 All pics © WWF NP / Kanchan THAPA Species Monitoring: Rhino Count 2005

CENTRAL DATABASE SYSTEM -0.08 per cent excluding protected Nepal Program. One key feature was monitoring and evaluation plan was holds programmatic and information areas while it was -0.06 per cent its linkage to Adaptive Management developed for all projects and data that allow statistical and including protected areas. Plan and Monitoring Plan. This was programs. A series of workshops were socioeconomic analysis. The data has Snow Leopard Habitat Modeling greatly supported by WWF-UK organized to develop these plans while been assembled differently for various for the Eastern Himalaya region (Jennifer Headley, Debbie Heaney and also building the capacity of the projects and the system is capable of (especially Nepal, Bhutan and India) Will Beale). We also initiated Root program staff in designing the log generating reports in a tabular format. was prepared under the supervision of Cause Analysis to identify direct and frame and monitoring and evaluation The information in the system can be Dr Eric Wikramanayake, WWF-US. indirect causes of environmental plans. We were greatly supported by used in reports, handouts, electronic The analysis was based on the degradation and develop conceptual WWF-UK and in particular Julie presentations and for publications. ruggedness index, slope, vegetation models based on which log frames Thomas, Social Development Advisor coverage, elevation and the sighting were developed for all the project sites. of WWF UK and Cathy Butcher. Noteworthy work from the location all derived from peer reviewed Ecoregion targets and milestones: Learning and adapting: Lesson GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION published sources. To contribute to the global targets of learning tools were used to train SYSTEM (GIS) sub-unit were: WWF network, we operate in four program staff in documenting lessons Forest cover change analysis of 20 MONITORING is key to project G200 Ecoregions and four thematic learnt during project implementation to Terai Districts to find out the rate of development and this year the DRM areas. Targets and milestones have provide feedback for program design. forest cover change in Terai districts unit undertook: been identified in coordination with The information and analysis obtained over a 10-year period (1991-2001). Planning and using the logical WWF India and WWF Bhutan as and through monitoring will be used WWF Nepal Program was a key framework analysis: Logical are monitored annually through WWF internally to make tactical member in a team lead by Framework (also known as a Project Network’s Global Monitoring System. modifications in the design and Department of Forests. Key findings Framework), which is tool for planning Monitoring Plan outlines steps to implementation of ongoing projects, were that the annual rate of and managing projects, was ensure that the project is on track. programs and strategic plans so as to deforestation in 20 Terai districts is developed for all programs of WWF Based on the logical framework, a better meet conservation goals.

39 Policy and Advocacy

the next five years in line with perspective was prepared. WWF Nepal DRAFTING OF KCA COMMUNITY Organisational Assessment was Program also communicated with MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS: chalked out. Cairn Energy through the WWF As part of a long standing Network, especially with people commitment to the communities of Policy and advocacy are key areas ADDRESSING CAIRN ENERGY working on Extractive Industries sector Kangchenjunga Conservation Area where WWF Nepal Program plans to OIL EXPLORATION: in WWF UK and US. As a result of the (KCA) and in response to the build its strength and focus in the In August 2004, Cairn Energy PLC advocacy, Cairn Energy PLC has government's call for handing over of coming years. Many of our goals and signed an agreement with HMGN for verbally agreed to maintain certain protected areas to non- objectives in practicing conservation will oil exploration in the Nepali Terai, transparency in all its future exploration government organizations and "other bear results or become sustainable only including districts where WWF Nepal related work in Nepal through institutions", we supported DNPWC in if certain policies of the government are Program works: Kanchanpur, Kailali, coordinated efforts with WWF Nepal the preparation of a separate KCA revised or formulated. With more Banke, Bardia and Dang. In response Program. Community Management Regulations. than 30 years of experience in to this development, we organized a This has been submitted to Ministry of field implementation, this is the series of meetings with the Petroleum ENDORSEMENT SNOW Forests and Soil conservation for most opportune time for us to be Exploration and Promotion Project, LEOPARD ACTION PLAN: endorsement. This provides for part of the policy and advocacy Department of Mines and Geology and Snow Leopard Action Plan for the effective and sustainable management scenario in Nepal by playing a with visiting Cairn Energy executives to Kingdom of Nepal, which was of Conservation Area, by handing over more active and effective role in ensure that the protected areas and prepared by Dr. Prahlad Yonzon with of KCA to the KCA Management policy issues. In the year gone by, areas identified as corridors and the support of WWF Nepal Program Council. The most important part of some of the policy and advocacy bottlenecks in the Terai Arc Landscape over two years ago, was finally this regulation, which is the first of its activities that are worth mentioning are: come under areas that require endorsed by His Majesty's Government kind in Nepal, was that 100 per cent Strategic Environment Assessment of Nepal, Ministry of Forests and Soil of the KCA revenue would go to the CAPACITY BUILDING: (SEA). Cairn Energy PLC had already Conservation in January 2005. This is Management Council. In addition We organized a series of internal relinquished exploration rights of over part of the greater efforts of the HMGN sustainable mechanisms for revenue workshops to build staff capacity in 2,700 km2 of designated protected to conserve mountain biodiversity and generation have been prescribed for in understanding policy analysis and areas in the Terai Arc Landscape. A consolidate ongoing conservation the regulation. policy advocacy. A strategy for dossier on the importance of these initiatives for endangered wildlife strengthening policy advocacy over areas from an environmental species such as the snow leopard. 40 Financial Overview

WWF NEPAL PROGRAM AUDITED STATEMENTS OF EXPENDITURE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2001-02 TO 2003-05

Particulars Total amount Total amount Total amount Total amount FY 2001-02 FY 2002-03 FY 2003-04 FY 2004-05 Terai Arc Landscape Progrm 53,814,324 40,845,915 54,884,679 134,605,465 Mountain Program 43,627,912 33,574,649 34,158,975 30,780,747 I) Northern Mountain Conservation Project 16,074,704 17,589,025 16,413,198 13,937,434 Ii) Kangchenjunga Conservation Area Project 21,825,096 11,592,223 12,772,069 11,442,380 Iii) Sagarmatha Community Agro Forestry Project 5,728,112 4,393,401 4,973,708 5,400,933 Other Priority Program 21,006,135 12,288,053 12,118,447 19,642,577 Administrative Expenditure 16,256,192 22,000,167 24,519,353 10,499,923 Total Expenditure 134,704,563 108,708,784 125,681,453 195,528,712

160 Fiscal Year 2004-05 140 Fiscal Year 2003-04 120 Fiscal Year 2002-03 Fiscal Year 2001-02 100

80

60

40

Figures NRs in Millions Figures NRs 20

0

TAL Program NMCPKCAP SCAFP Other Priority Program Administrative Expenditure 41 HIGHLIGHTS

SEPTEMBER The Everest Conference of Amchis FEBRUARY 2004 Documentary on Climate Change held in Namche, Sagarmatha National Research Climate Change Impact Impacts: First Conservation Park. An Everest Declaration of on Himalayas: A Memorandum of JULY Ambassador and Miss Nepal 2004, Amchis 2004 also prepared Understanding signed between WWF Conservation Ambassador: Miss Payal Shakya and WWF Nepal Nepal Program and Department of Nepal-World 2004 Interaction Program team travel to Sagarmatha Hydrology and Meteorology for five- program organized for Miss Nepal National Park to film a documentary year period for research on climate contestants on 28 July. WWF NP change impacts in Nepal announcement of Miss Nepal - World OCTOBER 2004 to be first Conservation MTV in Chitwan for a reconnaissance World Wetlands Day in Nepal Ambassador trip to see conservation activities at highlighted by WWF Nepal Program Royal Chitwan National Park for US and partner conservation program 'Trippin'' featuring several organizations on 2 February 2005. Hollywood stars English translation of National 2005 Wetlands Policy released JANUARY Climate Change Documentary: "Meltdown in Nepal" launched as part Using Hollywood: The Climate of International Climate Witness Change Network Nepal (CCNN) Project to create awareness on the organized a special screening of the impact of climate change in Nepal. Hollywood blockbuster 'The Day After Payal Shakya formally instated as Tomorrow' followed by a Conservation Ambassador discussion at Jai Nepal DECEMBER Cinema on 27 July WWF Nepal Program MARCH Organizational Assessment Internal Information Centre Inaugurated by AUGUST Analysis workshop held in Kathmandu Dr Tirtha Man Maskey, Director TAL in TIME! Landscape from 22-24 December General of DNPWC, at Majhgaon, level conservation in the Shuklaphanta on 29 March Terai recognized by Time 42 magazine HIGHLIGHTS

Rhino Count 2005: New figures journalists, school children and the conservation education and sustainable reveal the population of endangered business community development by WWF Nepal Program Greater One-horned rhinos in Royal in Kathmandu on 10 June Chitwan National Park has dropped Kangchenjunga Golden Jubilee: from 544 in 2000 to 372 - a 31 Seminar on 'Adventure Tourism, Policing the waters: Two inflatable percent decline in five years Conservation and Development in motor rafts to enhance anti-poaching Kangchenjunga' was organized by patrols on the River Rapti handed over Nepal Mountaineering Association in by Dr Chandra Gurung, Country partnership with ICIMOD, TMI, IUCN, Representative of WWF Nepal 10,000 Biogas Plants: MOU signed TRAPAP and WWF NP on 25 May. Program, to Royal Chitwan park staff between WWF Nepal Program and Kangchenjunga summiteers felicitated on 15 June Biogas Sector Partnership - Nepal for by His Royal Highness Crown Prince five years to install 10,000 toilet- Paras Bir Bikram Shah Dev attached biogas plants in 30 per cent of households in critical TAL areas 12 Years and Counting…on 19 May APRIL 2005, WWF Nepal Program Stakeholders' Consultation on MAY celebrated its 12th Anniversary Sacred Himalayan Landscape: Organized jointly by WWF Nepal JUNE Program, MFSC, ICIMOD and TMI on Abraham Conservation Awards 7 April 2005 2005 presented to five institutions and Tackling Human-Elephant Conflict: three individuals for their outstanding Sharing knowledge, experiences and Wildlife Week: 10th year of contribution to biodiversity conservation, key lessons of human-elephant celebrations together with DNPWC conflict and and other partner organizations to mitigation Save the Rhino Campaign: Week- promoting conservation awareness strategies was the long campaign themed "Ustai Prani main agenda of Ustai Pida, Milera Jogaun Ek Singe the regional Gainda" kicked off on International conference in Biodiversity Day at Royal Chitwan Kathmandu from National Park. Successful involvement 12-14 June of local people, celebrities, farmers, 43 WWF Nepal Program acknowledges with gratitude the support received from the following partners, donors and supporters:

His Majesty's Government of Nepal; Ministry of Forests Sweden; WWF Asian Rhinos and Elephant Action and Soil Conservation (MFSC); Ministry of Environment; Strategy and WWF Tiger Program; WWF International; Science and Technology (MOEST); Ministry of Culture, WWF China; WWF Indonesia; WWF South Pacific; Tourism and Civil Aviation (MOCTCA); Ministry of Finance WWF India (MOF); Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperative; National Planning Commission (NPC); Social Welfare Council International Center for Integrated Mountain (SWC); Department of National Parks and Wildlife Development (ICIMOD); The World Conservation Union Conservation (DNPWC); Department of Forests (DOF); Nepal (IUCN), CARE Nepal; The Mountain Institute Department of Plant Resources (DPR); Department of (TMI); Practical Action, Nepal; Winrock International; Forest Research and Survey, Department of Soil International Water Management Institute (IWMI); ECO Conservation and Watershed Management (DSCWM); Himal; University of Minnesota; International Trust for Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM); Tiger Conservation (ITNC) Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock; Nepal Tourism Board (NTB); Water and Energy Commission Secretariat King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (WECS); Alternative Energy Promotion Center (AEPC) (KMTNC);Resources Himalaya Foundation; Wildlife Conservation Nepal; Federation of Community Forestry Ministry of Foreign Affairs-Finland; The British Embassy; The Users, Nepal (FECOFUN); Society of Hydrology and American Embassy; The Embassy of Finland; The Embassy Meteorology - Nepal (SOHAM); Dolphin Conservation of Pakistan; Royal Netherlands Embassy (New Delhi) Society; Environmental Camps for Conservation Awareness (ECCA); Nepal Forum for Environmental United Nation's Development Program (UNDP); US Journalists (NEFEJ); Society of Environmental Agency for International Development (USAID); DGIS/ Journalists (SEJ); Clean Energy Nepal (CEN); Pro Netherlands Development Organization (SNV); Public; Biogas Sector Partnership Nepal (BSP); Department for International Development (DFID); Japan Kathmandu University; Tribhuvan University (TU); International Cooperation Agency (JICA); Swedish Himalayan Amchi Association (HAA); Nepalnature.com; International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA); Wildlife Watch Group; Bird Conservation Nepal; National European Commission (EC); UK-Department of Environmental Coalition of Indigenous Nationalities Environment, Food and Rural Affairs-Darwin Initiative; US (NECIN); Women Entrepreneurship Association, Nepal Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) (WEAN); Ethnobotanical Society of Nepal (ESON); BDS-MaPs; International Development Enterprises The Macarthur Foundation; The Baber Ali Foundation; Nepal (IDE) Save the Tiger Fund (STF); Johnson & Johnson; University of Zurich; IUCN Regional Office (Thailand); WWF NP would like to express special thanks to: Kadoorie Agricultural Aid Association (KAAA); Kadoorie Community Based Organizations; Nepali media Charitable Fund; Vaidya's Organization of Industries and organizations; Forest Users Coordination Committees; Trading Houses (VOITH); SOS Crocodile Community Forest User's Groups, Buffer Zone User's Group; Buffer Zone User Committees; Buffer Zone Jim Ottaway; Late Hendrik J Schure; Dr Croucher, Singer Management Committees; Eco Club Networks; Eco Rankin; Cherie Bremer-Camp; Dr Ted Tai-Sen Lin; Victor Clubs; Ghodaghodi Area Conservation and Awareness Acknowledgements and Caroline Adams; Dr Judith and Michael Brown; Forum Kangchenjunga Conservation Area Management Nancy Abraham Council; Nepal Red Cross Society; Mother Groups; Youth Clubs; District Development Committees (DDCs); WWF US; WWF UK; WWF Finland; WWF Netherlands; Village Development Committees (VDCs); Women 44 WWF New Zealand; WWF France; WWF Germany; WWF Awareness Groups and local communities all over Nepal WWF is an independent foundation registered under Swiss law, governed by a Board of Trustees under an International President.

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