EBA Project Completion Report 2016
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Ecosystem Based Adaptation in Mountain Ecosystems in Nepal Project Completion Report 2016 Ecosystem Based Adaptation in Mountain Ecosystems in Nepal Project Completion Report 2016 b Ecosystem Based Adaptation in Mountain Ecosystems in Nepal Project Completion Report 2016 Prepared and Published by Ecosystem based Adaptation in Mountain Ecosystems in Nepal (EbA) Project Copyright 2016. Ecosystem based Adaptation in Mountain Ecosystems in Nepal (EbA) Project. Citation: Government of Nepal / Department of Forests/ United Nations Development Programme (2016). Project Completion Report of Ecosystem based Adaptation in Mountain Ecosystems in Nepal Project. Project Completion Report. May 2016. Published by: United Nations Development Programme and Department of Forests. Design and Printed by: Print Communication Pvt. Ltd. Ecosystem Based Adaptation in Mountain Ecosystems in Nepal Project Completion Report 2016 Panchase Region: Project Site Table 1: VDCs of Panchase Region Districts PPF Village Development Committee (VDC) Outside PPFA Village Development Committee Chapakot Pumdi Bhumdi Bhadaure Tamagi Salyan Kaski Kaskikot Dhikur Pokhari Sarangkot Chitre Tilahar Parbat Ramja Duerali Pakuwa Arthar Khaula Lakuri Bangsing Deurali Syangja Bange Fadke Bhatkhola Arukharka Note: PPF – Panchase Protection Forest iii Ecosystem Based Adaptation in Mountain Ecosystems in Nepal Project Completion Report 2016 MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY With the view to mitigate the threats raised by the climate change and to build resilient ecosystems to reduce the impacts induced by the climate change, the Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) project in Mountain Ecosystems in Nepal or EbA Project was piloted in the Nepal, Uganda and Peru. In Nepal, the Department of Forests (DOF) was the implementing agency at the national level in partnership with UNDP, IUCN and UNEP while the Ministry of Population and Environment (MoPE) played an overall coordination role. Panchase was primarily selected to pilot EbA due to its vulnerability and susceptibility to the impacts of climate change. The changing climate has resulted in accelerated landslides and flashfloods affecting lives/ livelihoods and ecosystems both in up and down streams of Panchase. The EbA Project site covers 278.7 sq. km area and extends over 17 VDCs of Kaski, Parbat and Syangja districts. The Panchase Protection Forest Area (PPFA) covers 57.76 sq. km of the total EbA Project area and is regulated under the Forest Act 1993 since 2011. The Panchase forest has been recognized as ecosystems lifeline of the people living in upper and lower streams of the Phewa watersheds. The Harpan River that originates in Panchase is the main source of Phewa Lake, therefore the connection of upper and lower streams are directly proportionate to each other. In the context of Nepal where communities are significantly reliant on ecosystem services for their livelihoods, EbA facilitates to conserve the ecosystem and help develop capacity amongst the people for the sustainable use of the ecosystem. We ardently propose that the learning and experiences accumulated throughout the project as compiled and recorded in the present Project Completion Report be mainstreamed and implemented in similar projects by the Ministry through its various channels, sectors and departments nationwide. We would also like to congratulate the EbA Project team for successfully accomplishing the project and providing the basic learnings of and for implementing ecosystem based adaptation in mountain areas which are more vulnerable to climate induced impacts. Uday Chandra Thakur Secretary iv Ecosystem Based Adaptation in Mountain Ecosystems in Nepal Project Completion Report 2016 MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY Climate change is a global concern and without national and international partnerships, the impacts of climate change cannot be tackled. The Ministry of Population and Environment (MoPE) has recognized that it is necessary to have such partnership arrangements to deal with the challenges posed by climate change through collective efforts. Back in 2012, Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) in Mountain Ecosystem in Nepal, a pilot project in Panchase area in Western Nepal was launched in which the Ministry played an overall coordination role with partner organizations UNDP, IUCN and UNEP. The Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) / Department of Forests (DOF) was the implementing agency at the national level. The completion report is a comprehensive encapsulation offering significant information about EbA’s methodology, annual outcomes and their subsequent outputs, as well as beneficiaries’ data. I am hopeful that the report will be useful in better comprehending the challenges that the changing climate scenario poses and also at the same time will suggest various ways to adapt to and mitigate such situations. MoPE intends to implement the project’s learnings and knowledge in the Ministry’s various other EbA programmes in coming days. And we would like to extend our heartfelt congratulation to the entire team of the EbA project for successfully designing and executing the project in Panchase area. We are hopeful that the project piloted in the region will be referred to as a benchmark of the EbA whilst implementing it in other parts of the country. Bishwa Nath Oli, Ph.D Secretary v Ecosystem Based Adaptation in Mountain Ecosystems in Nepal Project Completion Report 2016 United Nations Development Programme FOREWORD Nepal being most vulnerable to climate change impacts is under extreme pressure to identify its current and future vulnerabilities and the ways to address them. Particularly the supply of essential ecosystem ser- vices that are critical to sustain human lives and livelihoods, has been largely constrained by the impacts of climate change on ecosystems. UNDP has been working very closely with the Government of Nepal to introduce a new approach of adap- tion to climate change known as ecosystem based adaptation that enhances ecosystem’s capacities to withstand climate impacts. The approach in Nepal was piloted in one of most climate vulnerable sites, the Panchase Watersheds, under the Ecosystem based Adaption in Mountain Ecosystems Project, commonly known as EbA project. The EbA project was implemented by the Department of Forests under the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) in partnership with UNDP, IUCN and UNEP. The local communities and district authorities from three Panchase districts namely Kaski, Parbat and Syanja; the Panchase Protection Forest Management Council; and the local institutions such as Machhapuchhre Development Organization and Aapasi Sahyayog Kendra (ASK) Nepal successfully participated in piloting of this approach. The approach included building collective understanding about the vulnerability of Panchase area, choice of priority adaption options, and economic feasibility and sustainability of adopting those options in the long run compared to other non-EbA options. The Project Completion Report records the methodological approaches used in piloting of EbA model in Nepal, showcases the findings and results of validation, and highlights the lessons learned in the process. I’m hopeful that the report will be useful for anyone interested in EbA approaches and the ways they can be implemented on the ground. Vijaya P. Singh Assistant Country Director UNDP Nepal UN House, Pulchowk, l G.P.O. Box: 107, Kathmandu, Nepal l Tel: (977-1) 5523200 Fax: (977-1) 5523991, 5523986 E-mail: [email protected] l http://www.undp.org.np vi Ecosystem Based Adaptation in Mountain Ecosystems in Nepal Project Completion Report 2016 FOREWORD When we think of climate change, we think of the impacts that it might cause to the planet and its inhabitants. Adapting to the changing climate is the key for the better survival in the future. With that in mind, in 2012, Ecosystem based Adaptation (EbA) in Mountain Ecosystem, a part of the Global Mountain EbA project was piloted in Nepal, Peru and Uganda to enhance the adaptive capacities of local communities through livelihood option who are living in the most vulnerable areas of these countries. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) through its International Climate Initiative. In Nepal, the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation/Department of For- ests is the implementing agency at the national level in partnership with the United Nations Environmental Programme, International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the United Nations Development Programme while the Ministry of Population and Environment plays an overall coordination role. The EbA Project was implemented in the 17 Village Development Committees (VDCs) of Kaski, Syangj and Parbat district including the 9 VDCs of Panchase Protection Forest (PPF). The PPF area is regulated under the Forest Act 2011 and is one of the many protection forests that have been established aimed at safeguarding biodiversity, biological corridors, ecosystems services and cultural importance. The Panchase area serves as a life-line and the impending threats of climate change will enhance vulnerabilities of ecosystems and com- munities with implication on water availability, agriculture and climate induced disasters. During my tenure as the National Project Director, we were able to successfully achieve some of the key outputs outlined by the Project. The Project developed a tool with simplified meth- odology on vulnerability impact assessment of a sub-watershed, policy