Upper Mustang Biodiversity Conservation Project, Nepal
Case Study C0198
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| Date | August 2004 |
| Agency | King Mahendra Trust for Nature and Conservation (KMTNC) |
| Donor/support agency | UNDP GEF HMGN American Himalayan Foundation (AHF) KMTNC International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Protected area |
| Geographic coverage | Nepal |
| Locality | Mustang District |
| Biodiversity focus | Mountain ecosystem |
| Development focus | Rural communities |
| Conservation goals | Conserve the unique mountain biodiversity of Upper Mustang |
| Poverty reduction goals | Develop sustainable livelihoods alternatives |
Summary
Upper Mustang lies in the northern part of Mustang District covering an area of 2567 sq km. Upper Mustang is extremely rich in floral and faunal diversity, especially of steppe habitat, so to deserve to be included, in 1992, in the Annapurna Conservation Area, the largest protected area in Nepal. At the same time, Upper Mustang is a predominanlty barren land, inhabited by a very scarse and sparse population who is very dependent on the natural resource base (which includes water, rangelands, soil, scrub and forest). Decreasing availability of some of the natural resources has therefore been reported as an issue by many households. This negative trend can be explained by a number of causes: changing patterns of animal husbandry by local pastoralists and nomads leading to increased conflict between livestock and wildlife; greater grazing pressure on rangelands; over-exploitation of shrub lands and remaining forested areas for fuel wood; and inadequately planned activities, particularly commercial ventures that are expected, as a result of anticipated changes in tourism policy.
In response to this situation, the Upper Mustang Biodiversity Conservation Project (UMBCP), a community-based integrated biodiversity conservation project, was launched in 2000 (and is due to be completed in 2006). Its main components include restoration of cultural heritage, improvement in rangeland management, and sustainable development of local tourism. More specifically, the objectives of the project are: to build institutional capacity for effective protected area management and biodiversity conservation; to develop through research and data collection a base of essential biodiversity related information in Upper Mustang; to undertake livelihood initiatives through local partnerships (e.g. afforestation, improved pasture management, rehabilitation of degraded rangelands).
The project has been able to generate some benefits related to the environment which may be considered to be not only local, but also globally relevant. The most important of these is the knowledge generated by research and documentation of a unique and critically threatened ecosystem. Moreover, the conservation of art and architecture within and outside of Gompas and Stupas has provided employment and encouraged tourism and helped immensely in reviving cultural pride.
Conservation impact
The project has contributed to improving natural capital. In particular, the project has supported the plantation of 306,524 trees while wildlife numbers have increased over the life of the project. However, the activities implemented so far have had more a development, than a conservation focus.
Poverty reduction impact
The following are some of UMBCP impacts to date:
- Overall UMBCP has made modest progress on improving livelihoods through income and employment, despite the establishment of 20 saving and credit groups. Approximately 25-30 youths (women and men) have received training in restoration and are now employed by the AHF on a seasonal basis
- Tourism has been identified as an important source of livelihood, but some critical issues related to tourism revenue sharing have not been solved yet
- The project has made a positive and significant impact on social and institutional capital in terms of increased participation of women and cultural heritage conservation
- UMBCP has carried out a significant amount of technical training, awareness raising and conservation education activities (33 different training courses for 1869 project staff and community members)
- UMBCP has contributed significantly to improvements in physical capital for local communities (e.g. construction of road and suspension bridges; conservation of culturally important buildings; renovation of drinking water systems)
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Enabling local participation in policy-/decision- making processes
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Reference 1
http://gefonline.org/projectDetails.cfm?projID=30
Related records above this one:
- International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) (Organisation O0034)
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) (Organisation O0146)
- Global Environment Facility (GEF) (Organisation O0026)