Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal
Case Study C0125
[edit]
| Date | 2004 |
| Agency | IUCN Nepal |
| Donor/support agency | Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Nepal Others |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Productive landscape Protected area |
| Geographic coverage | Nepal |
| Locality | Various locations |
| Biodiversity focus | Wetlands ecosystems |
| Development focus | Local commmunities |
| Conservation goals | Conserve the biodiversity of wetlands |
| Poverty reduction goals | Improve the livelihoods of people living in wetlands |
Summary
Nepal’s wetlands are important habitats and staging grounds for biodiversity and provide significant ecological services. Wetland users are primarily poor communities from ethnic minority groups who lack voice in the public arena and whose rights to manage natural resources have been marginalized. IUCN, who has been active in Nepal since 1985 and is now regarded as the main conservation policy advisor to the government, has played a key role in the management of wetlands. In particular, the linkage promoted by IUCN between conservation and better livelihoods, has passed on very well, and has gained the support of communities and local government.
The overall goal of IUCN wetlands project in Nepal is to ensure the maintenance and enhancement of wetland biodiversity and environmental goods and services for improved local livelihoods. The immediate objective is to strengthen national and local capacity in ecosystem management and sustainable use of wetland biodiversity. In order to achieve this, IUCN plans to: develop a multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder partnerships to effect long-term changes to the sustainable management of wetlands in Nepal; influence decision makers by increasing cooperation and coordination between stakeholders and strengthening their capacity to address wetland issues using a systematic approach; build upon Nepal's rich experience in community-based conservation and natural resource management, to demonstrate means of achieving sustainable management of wetlands both within and outside Protected Areas.
So far, IUCN has carried out small scale projects in wetlands in Ajigara Tal, Ghodaghodi Tal and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. The initial outcomes are positive, though impacts on conservation and livelihoods are for the moment quite modest. The main factors affecting economic viability are access to local and regional markets, and locally added value. These factors will now be given priority attention by IUCN.
Conservation impact
Impacts on conservation at the moment are promising but stil quite modest.
Poverty reduction impact
Elements of livelihood improvement measures are visible (mobilisation, training, sapling production, market investigations), but have yet to be translated into income gains.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Sustainable Use
Enabling local participation in policy-/decision- making processes
Reference 1
Saxena, N.C., 'Review of the Social and Economic Sciences that IUCN Needs to Mainstream Poverty and Environment in IUCN Programme - Part 2'
Reference 2
http://www.iucnnepal.org/units/esl/default.htm#wetland
More information
Sameer Karki, Programme Coordinator (Water, Wetland and High Mountains and Livelihoods)
Phone: (977-1)-5528781
E-mail: sameer@iucn.org.np