Nepal is a classic ‘biodiversity-rich, resource-poor’ country where resources to support conservation and fulfil obligations under international conventions such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are very limited. Widespread pove
rty is the major hurdle, as agriculture provides a livelihood for over 80% of the population, and with poverty levels in excess of 40% and a population growth rate of 2.23%, the pressures on natural habitats are escalating.
Nepal is a small country, covering only 0.09% of the Earth’s land surface, but it is very important to global conservation as it is at the heart of the Himalayan Region - one of the world’s top 20 hottest global biodiversity hotspots, and the many and varied habitats support a great diversity of living organisms. It is estimated that 7000 higher plant species occur in Nepal, with some 300 of these only found in (endemic to) Nepal. Nine species of flowering plants are now suspected to be extinct in Nepal, eight of these were endemic species (Shrestha & Joshi, 1996).
Almost all of the 27 million people in Nepal depend on plant resources for their very livelihood, and ever increasing pressures from a burgeoning population and industrialisation take their toll on the environme
nt. Nepalese culture has always respected the preservation of plants and forests, and there is a long history of conservation awareness: many sacred forests have been preserved for centuries according to deep-rooted religious traditions. A great deal of effort has been made over recent years to protect and manage biological resources and biodiversity. Government of Nepal began implementing its National Conservation Strategy in 1988, and in 2002 reiterated the importance of conservation through the publication of the Nepal Biodiversity Strategy (NBS 2002). This strategy states that “Biological diversity in Nepal is closely linked to the livelihoods and economic development of most of her people, and relates to agricultural productivity and sustainability, human health and nutrition, indigenous knowledge, gender equality, building materials, water resources and the aesthetic and cultural well being of our society."
Much of the loss of habitats occurred over a thirty-year period (1950-1980) when there were little controls on development. However, Government of Nepal is now fully committed to conservation and legislation is in place to help combat problems and Nepal is actively addressing its obligations as a signatory to the CBD. Implementing conservation measures is not easy in rural areas where the land and surrounding forest are used for subsistence, and it is recognised that long term solutions must also include elements of poverty alleviation and sustainable development. However, there have already been some successes, as a good network of protected areas has been established, and there is evidence that the extent and quality of forest cover has increased since 1980. The NBS concludes that “despite the conservation benefit provided by the PAs [protected areas] network, biodiversity loss in Nepal continues unabated." The most critical threats to conservation is deforestation, habitat destruction and unsustainable harvesting of wild populations.
rty is the major hurdle, as agriculture provides a livelihood for over 80% of the population, and with poverty levels in excess of 40% and a population growth rate of 2.23%, the pressures on natural habitats are escalating.Nepal is a small country, covering only 0.09% of the Earth’s land surface, but it is very important to global conservation as it is at the heart of the Himalayan Region - one of the world’s top 20 hottest global biodiversity hotspots, and the many and varied habitats support a great diversity of living organisms. It is estimated that 7000 higher plant species occur in Nepal, with some 300 of these only found in (endemic to) Nepal. Nine species of flowering plants are now suspected to be extinct in Nepal, eight of these were endemic species (Shrestha & Joshi, 1996).
Almost all of the 27 million people in Nepal depend on plant resources for their very livelihood, and ever increasing pressures from a burgeoning population and industrialisation take their toll on the environme
nt. Nepalese culture has always respected the preservation of plants and forests, and there is a long history of conservation awareness: many sacred forests have been preserved for centuries according to deep-rooted religious traditions. A great deal of effort has been made over recent years to protect and manage biological resources and biodiversity. Government of Nepal began implementing its National Conservation Strategy in 1988, and in 2002 reiterated the importance of conservation through the publication of the Nepal Biodiversity Strategy (NBS 2002). This strategy states that “Biological diversity in Nepal is closely linked to the livelihoods and economic development of most of her people, and relates to agricultural productivity and sustainability, human health and nutrition, indigenous knowledge, gender equality, building materials, water resources and the aesthetic and cultural well being of our society."Much of the loss of habitats occurred over a thirty-year period (1950-1980) when there were little controls on development. However, Government of Nepal is now fully committed to conservation and legislation is in place to help combat problems and Nepal is actively addressing its obligations as a signatory to the CBD. Implementing conservation measures is not easy in rural areas where the land and surrounding forest are used for subsistence, and it is recognised that long term solutions must also include elements of poverty alleviation and sustainable development. However, there have already been some successes, as a good network of protected areas has been established, and there is evidence that the extent and quality of forest cover has increased since 1980. The NBS concludes that “despite the conservation benefit provided by the PAs [protected areas] network, biodiversity loss in Nepal continues unabated." The most critical threats to conservation is deforestation, habitat destruction and unsustainable harvesting of wild populations.
There are many international and local threats to the plants of Nepal. Globally, climate change is increasing temperatures and causing glaciers to retreat. Internationalisation of trade and agricultural practices is leading to a reduction in crop diversity, an increase in use of chemicals, and placing strain on wild populations through over-collection. Nationally, three root causes have been identified by the Nepal Biodiversity Strategy: socio-economic; natural; and anthropogenic.
Socio-economic causes:
- Widespread poverty and intimate dependence on almost all of the population on natural resources for their livelihood.
- Forests exploited as a major source of revenue until the late 1980’s.
- Fast population growth (2.23% in 2004)increasing demands for fuel, timber, fodder, grazing and agricultural land, leading to encroachment into natural ecosystems.
- Mass migration of people into the Terai and Dun valleys following malaria eradication in the mid 1950’s (see below under Terai), and refugee relocation from neighbouring countries.
- Increasing urbanisaton with migration rates from the countryside to urban areas in Nepal estimated at about 8% (the highest in South Asia), and the quality of life in the rapidly expanding major towns and cities is now suffering due to the added strain on sewerage, electricity and drinking water supplies, housing and vehicle pollution.
Natural causes:
- Landslides in hilly regions (75% of landslides in Nepal occur n
aturally), especially during the monsoon (June-September) when the topsoil becomes saturated with water. All of Nepal's rivers flow across the Ganetic plain and drain into the Ganges, and so the floods that frequently devastate Nepal also bring disaster to India. - Topsoil erosion, caused by natural and anthropogenic activities, leading to desertification and loss of soil fertility. The rat of soil loss for intact forested areas is estimated at below 1t/ha/yr, in degraded forest this increases to over 4t/ha/yr, and up to 200t/ha/yr in critically damaged areas.
Anthropogenic causes: - Pollution and environmental degradation, especially in urban and industrial areas.
- Infrastructure building projects implemented without consideration of environmental impact: e.g. roads, hydroelectric power stations, dams, irrigation channels, canals and quarries (marble, building stone, soils, etc.).
- Water supply has been affected by glacial retreat and contamination is a problem through human and animal waste, agricultural runoff and industrial effluents.
- Tourism and mountaineering expeditions in alpine areas (especially fuel wood needs of porters and support staff).
- Deforestation (past clearances for agriculture, and now mainly cutting for fuel wood) has led to severe environmental degradation and soil erosion.
- Fire, either deliberate or accidental, has profound effects on ecosystems, destroying forests and preventing re-growth. Fire may promote luxuriant growth of grasses in old pasture, but the timescale for forest regeneration is long.
- Overgrazing (especially by yaks and sheep) leading to an increase in unpalatable species, inhibition of ecological succession and promotion soil erosion.
- Alien species spread by increased human movement, out-compete native plants.
- Illegal trade and collection from wild sources (medicinal herbs, orchids and other horticultural plants).
Forests play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance and economic development in Nepal. They are a major source of energy, animal fodder and timber, and forest catchment areas are the main sources of water used in hydro-electric power generation, irrigation and domestic supply. Tourism is a vital source of foreign exchange for Nepal, and many ‘ecotourists’ come to visit wilderness
areas and highly value pristine forests (45% of foreign tourists visit at least one of the protected areas).
Today forests extend over about 29% of the land surface, but this is a fraction of the original cover. Historically deforestation in Nepal has occurred over thousands of years (especially in the Mid-Hills), with a sharp increase in recent times following the end of Rana rule in 1950. At that time taxation of arable land provided important revenue, and the state offering tax reductions for three years after clearance for arable land. Under this strong incentive forests disappeared fast in the Mahabharat Mountains and Midlands. Other pressures on timber supply came from increasing demands for charcoal (especially for smelting iron ore) and construction. In 1966 forest cover was estimated at 45%, but between 1979 and 1994 this fell by 9% (NBS 2002), and current annual rates of deforestation are estimated at 1.7%. Quality of forest cover has also declined as shrubland has doubled in area from 4.8% in the mid-1980s to 10.8% in the mid-1990s (Ministry of Population and Environment website).
Two events of the early 1950’s had profound consequences for the forests of Nepal. The first was a change in the legal control of forests, the second was the eradication of malaria in the Terai. Until 1950 forests were governed by a feudal system with general management in local hands following sustainable traditional working practices. In 1957 all forests were nationalised with the Forest Nationalisation Act. This had a devastating effect as it broke the traditional relationship between the community and the forest. There was no compensation for private forest owners and they converted their private forest into farmland to prevent the government from claiming it. Parts of this damaging legislation have now been revoked and some fore
sts (e.g. Community, Leasehold and Religious Forests) have reverted back to local management with good results. Until the 1950’s the malaria-infested belt of thick tropical jungle of the Terai was an effective barrier to marauders from the south, and forest cover was actually promoted to increase the effectiveness of this shield. However, mass migration into the fertile lowlands of the Terai and Siwalik Hills followed the eradication of malaria in the 1950’s, and large areas of the forests were cleared for agriculture.
The current political turmoil in the country is also having negative effects on the forests, particularly in the Terai. Illegal logging and timber smuggling in Protected Areas is controlled by the presence of the Royal Nepalese Army, but with their redeployment to areas of political unrest, and the targeting of ranger posts and forestry official by insurgents, illegal logging is escalating with dramatic effects on the remaining Terai forests.
Forest biological diversity is a priority programme for the Government of Nepal and the main focus for CBD activities. With such high poverty levels in Nepal, encroachment on forest lands for the expansion of agriculture or habitation is understandable. Furthermore, villagers have little alternative to wood for fuel (traditionally wood constitutes over 80% of their energy needs) and about 40% of livestock feed is obtained through lopping of trees for fodder. Although the cutting of trees for fuel is prohibited, this is very difficult to enforce and illegal cutting is rampant. In the moist, broadleaf Eastern forests the under planting of Cardamom (Amomum subulatum) as a cash crop is particularly damaging as although the upper layers of the forest largely remain intact, the natural ground-cover is removed and regeneration is prevented. Conservation has to go hand in hand with poverty alleviation as rural people rely on the wild resources for their very livelihood.
Conservation Issues: non-timber forest products
areas and highly value pristine forests (45% of foreign tourists visit at least one of the protected areas).Today forests extend over about 29% of the land surface, but this is a fraction of the original cover. Historically deforestation in Nepal has occurred over thousands of years (especially in the Mid-Hills), with a sharp increase in recent times following the end of Rana rule in 1950. At that time taxation of arable land provided important revenue, and the state offering tax reductions for three years after clearance for arable land. Under this strong incentive forests disappeared fast in the Mahabharat Mountains and Midlands. Other pressures on timber supply came from increasing demands for charcoal (especially for smelting iron ore) and construction. In 1966 forest cover was estimated at 45%, but between 1979 and 1994 this fell by 9% (NBS 2002), and current annual rates of deforestation are estimated at 1.7%. Quality of forest cover has also declined as shrubland has doubled in area from 4.8% in the mid-1980s to 10.8% in the mid-1990s (Ministry of Population and Environment website).
Two events of the early 1950’s had profound consequences for the forests of Nepal. The first was a change in the legal control of forests, the second was the eradication of malaria in the Terai. Until 1950 forests were governed by a feudal system with general management in local hands following sustainable traditional working practices. In 1957 all forests were nationalised with the Forest Nationalisation Act. This had a devastating effect as it broke the traditional relationship between the community and the forest. There was no compensation for private forest owners and they converted their private forest into farmland to prevent the government from claiming it. Parts of this damaging legislation have now been revoked and some fore
sts (e.g. Community, Leasehold and Religious Forests) have reverted back to local management with good results. Until the 1950’s the malaria-infested belt of thick tropical jungle of the Terai was an effective barrier to marauders from the south, and forest cover was actually promoted to increase the effectiveness of this shield. However, mass migration into the fertile lowlands of the Terai and Siwalik Hills followed the eradication of malaria in the 1950’s, and large areas of the forests were cleared for agriculture.The current political turmoil in the country is also having negative effects on the forests, particularly in the Terai. Illegal logging and timber smuggling in Protected Areas is controlled by the presence of the Royal Nepalese Army, but with their redeployment to areas of political unrest, and the targeting of ranger posts and forestry official by insurgents, illegal logging is escalating with dramatic effects on the remaining Terai forests.
Forest biological diversity is a priority programme for the Government of Nepal and the main focus for CBD activities. With such high poverty levels in Nepal, encroachment on forest lands for the expansion of agriculture or habitation is understandable. Furthermore, villagers have little alternative to wood for fuel (traditionally wood constitutes over 80% of their energy needs) and about 40% of livestock feed is obtained through lopping of trees for fodder. Although the cutting of trees for fuel is prohibited, this is very difficult to enforce and illegal cutting is rampant. In the moist, broadleaf Eastern forests the under planting of Cardamom (Amomum subulatum) as a cash crop is particularly damaging as although the upper layers of the forest largely remain intact, the natural ground-cover is removed and regeneration is prevented. Conservation has to go hand in hand with poverty alleviation as rural people rely on the wild resources for their very livelihood.
Conservation Issues: non-timber forest products
Nepal has a wealth of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), harvested not only from forests, but also from pastureland and other wild habitats. Rural people depend on many NTFPs for timber for building and bedding, fodder for livestock, and valuable nutritional, medicinal, economic (subsistence and cash crop), religious and cultural resources. Exploitation of wild plants is therefore very high in poor areas, and the unregulated harvesting of NTFPs (especially medicinal plants) is of increasing concern. This is particular problem where rare plants are hoarded for later use or plants are over-harvested as a cash crop and for export. Medicinal and aromatic plants are highly exploited in the mountains, with unscrupulous traders taking advantage of the poverty of the local people. The Department of Forests is trying to combat illegal trade by allowing the sustainable harvest of some species under special permits. Some NTFP from plant species in Nepal are included in CITES appendices, but research is required to assess the conservation status of other NTFP species and whether they should also be recommended for inclusion in the CITES list.
Conservation issues: Rangelands
Conservation issues: Rangelands
Rangelands in Nepal comprise grassland, pasture, scrubland and degraded forests. They are estimated to cover about 1.75 million hectares, or nearly 12% of Nepal’s land area (NBS 2002). These areas are rich in biodiversity, ranging from subtropical savannahs, temperate grasslands, and alpine meadows to the cold, arid steppes north of the Himalayan range. The bulk of these rangelands are found in the upper Himalayan regions, and provide a variety of medicinal and aromatic plants and supply forage or pasture for grazing and browsing animals. They are threatened by overgrazing which reduces species richness, encourages habitat degradation by invasive plants and promotes soil erosion.
Conservation issues: Wetlands
Conservation issues: Wetlands
There are many types of wetlands in Nepal, ranging from permanently flowing rivers to seasonal streams, lowland oxbow lakes, high altitude glacial lakes, swamps, marshes, rice paddy fields, reservoirs and ponds (NBS 2002). These are biologically rich habitats supporting a great diversity of organisms. Approximately 25% of the vascular plants of Nepal are thought to be linked to wetland habitats. There is no doubt that wetlands in Nepal are suffering, but there is very little data available on wetland degradation and conservation. A well-defined wetland policy is in draft stage, and although several important wetland sites have been identified, they lack a detailed inventory of their biodiversity. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is of international importance and is listed as a Ramsar site. A further 11 additional wetland sites have been put forward for inclusion under Ramsar.
Conservation issues: Lowlands
Conservation issues: Lowlands
The biological resources in the lowland areas (Terai and Siwalik Hills) are dominated by tropical evergreen forest and tropical deciduous riverine forest (see vegetation). These ecosystems are of international importance both in terms of the number of globally threatened plants and animals, as well as their diversity (NBS 2002). The Terai is also heavily populated with nearly half of the people of Nepal living there, and there are very high pressures on the forests and agricultural resources. Fortunately over 2700 km² of Terai and inner Terai is protected within National Parks and other protected areas. Royal Chitwan National Park has been designated as a natural World Heritage Site.
Conservation issues: mid-hills and mountains
Conservation issues: mid-hills and mountains
Due to the great variety in terrain and climate the Mid-Hills and high Mountains contain the greatest diversity of ecosystems and species in Nepal. Most of the 300 endemic species are found in these regions. Although population pressures are not as great as in the lowlands, the damaging effects of increasing cultivation and grazing are profoundly affecting these areas. These are compounded by the global effects of climate change, with glacial retreat and changing patterns in water supply. Inventory and conservation efforts are more difficult in these regions due to their remoteness and difficult terrain. The Mid-Hills are poorly represented in the current protected area network (see below). Sagarmatha National Park has been designated as a natural World Heritage Site.
Conservation issues: wild relatives of cultivated crops
Conservation issues: wild relatives of cultivated crops
About 21% (3.2 million hectares) of the total land area of Nepal is cultivated, the principal crops being rice (45%), maize (20%), wheat (18%), millet (5%) and potatoes (3%) (NBS 2002). These are followed by sugarcane, jute, cotton, tea, barley, legumes, other root vegetables, and fruit. Crops such as rice, rice bean, aubergine (egg plant), buckwheat, soybean, foxtail millet, citrus fruit and mango have high genetic diversity in Nepal relative to other food crops. Many crop species in Nepal owe their broad genetic base to the presence of about 120 wild relatives of the commonly cultivated food plants. However, these national natural resources are under threat by changing agricultural practices and the influence of international trade is reducing crop diversity.
Conservation issues: tourism
Conservation issues: tourism
High concentrations of visitors in a few protected areas (Royal Chitwan National Park, Annapurna Conservation Area, Sagarmatha National Park and Langtang National Park) have accelerated the degradation of the environment in these biologically fragile regions. Litter pollution is a particular problem in remote mountain areas and around mountaineering base camps. An often neglected factor is that porters and other support staff need fuel for cooking and warmth and usually have to resort to using firewood. However, tourism is a important revenue for Nepal and for the protected areas (45% of all tourists to Nepal visit one of the protected areas), and so a balance needs to be struck.
Conservation issues: invasive alien plants
Conservation issues: invasive alien plants
Habitat degeneration through loss of plant cover, soil erosion and nitrification opens areas to aggressive, fast-growing species. In natural ecosystems plants colonising newly opened areas help to stabilise the soil and in later years are overtaken by other species as succession progresses to the climax vegetation type. However, unnatural habitat degradation alters this balance and enables colonising species to persist and dominate. The problem is compounded by the arrival of foreign plants (aliens) brought in by human intervention. Some aliens are very aggressive, spreading to dominate large areas to the exclusion of native plants. Invasive aliens are a problem in all parts of the world (see the IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group website), and one of the more difficult threats to wild populations to deal with. There are over 100 non-native plant species that are so well established in Nepal that they have become weeds. Currently alien species are not considered a priority conservation issue by the Government of Nepal.
Conservation action: international
Conservation action: international
The Government of Nepal actively participates in several global forums on environmental issues and is signatory to the major international agreements, including: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Tropical Timber 83 & 94, and Wetlands. Nepal has been signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) since 1973, and legislation prohibits the removal or export of species listed under CITES without a licence.
Nepal became signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity in June 1992 (ratified November 1993). In accordance with this the Government of Nepal has recognised its commitment to the protection and wise use of the biologically diverse resources of Nepal, the protection of ecological processes and systems, and the equitable sharing of all ensuing benefits on a sustainable basis, for the benefit of Nepal’s present and future generations and for the global community as a whole. The CBD places obligations on signatory parties to put in place organisational structures and document their biological diversity and conservation plans. In 2002, Nepal fulfilled one of these obligations with the publication of its Nepal Biodiversity Strategy (NBS 2002), a major landmark in conservation planning in Nepal.
Nepal became signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity in June 1992 (ratified November 1993). In accordance with this the Government of Nepal has recognised its commitment to the protection and wise use of the biologically diverse resources of Nepal, the protection of ecological processes and systems, and the equitable sharing of all ensuing benefits on a sustainable basis, for the benefit of Nepal’s present and future generations and for the global community as a whole. The CBD places obligations on signatory parties to put in place organisational structures and document their biological diversity and conservation plans. In 2002, Nepal fulfilled one of these obligations with the publication of its Nepal Biodiversity Strategy (NBS 2002), a major landmark in conservation planning in Nepal.
The Constitution of Nepal (1990), declares that the “State shall give priority attention to the conservation of the environment ... and also make special arrangement for the conservation of rare animal species, the forests, and the vegetation of the country [Article 26(4)]". Despite several problems and constraints, Nepal has achieved some significant successes in the protection and management of its biodiversity, particularly with protected ecosystems and species, community forestry, agrobiodiversity and mountain biodiversity. The Nepal Biodiversity Strategy (NBS 2002) considers past problems, examines the current situation and sets out the direction for conservation in Nepal for the following 20 years. It is very important in moving conservation action forwards in Nepal in a more cohesive and strategic way, consolidating and building upon the past achievements.
The NBS 2002 sets objectives for the protection of biological diversity in Nepal and identifies or restates Government policy on natural resources and their sustainable use. The Strategy also makes it clear that this is a commitment of the Government of Nepal as a whole, and not of a single ministry. It therefore serves as a guide to all government organisations as well as the private sector and civil society. The Strategy summarises the basic origins to the threats to Nepal’s biodiversity as:
Low levels of public awareness and participation
High population pressures and prevailing poverty
Weak institutional, administrative, planning and management capacity
Lack of integrated land and water use planning
Inadequate data and information management
Inadequate policies and strategies for biodiversity conservation
This Strategy lays the foundation for the production of detailed Biodiversity Action Plans, which are the mechanism through which the Strategy will be implemented. More detailed and updated information can be found on Nepal’s National Biodiversity Unit website.
The NBS 2002 sets objectives for the protection of biological diversity in Nepal and identifies or restates Government policy on natural resources and their sustainable use. The Strategy also makes it clear that this is a commitment of the Government of Nepal as a whole, and not of a single ministry. It therefore serves as a guide to all government organisations as well as the private sector and civil society. The Strategy summarises the basic origins to the threats to Nepal’s biodiversity as:
Low levels of public awareness and participation
High population pressures and prevailing poverty
Weak institutional, administrative, planning and management capacity
Lack of integrated land and water use planning
Inadequate data and information management
Inadequate policies and strategies for biodiversity conservation
This Strategy lays the foundation for the production of detailed Biodiversity Action Plans, which are the mechanism through which the Strategy will be implemented. More detailed and updated information can be found on Nepal’s National Biodiversity Unit website.
The Department of Plant Resources (Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, MOFSC) is designated as the scientific authority and management authority for wild flora. The CBD National Focal Point for Nepal resides in the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (MFSC), and overall responsibility for the implementation of the NBS (2002) lies within this Ministry.
CBD Primary National Focal PointDr Krishna Chandra PaudelChief, Environment Division, Ministry of Forests and Soil ConservationSingha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal. Tel: +997 14 224 892; Fax: +997 14 223 868
The National Biodiversity Co-ordination Committee (NBCC) has been set up to facilitate co-ordination during the implementation of the NBS and oversee monitoring and evaluation. The NBCC is a multidisciplinary team comprising about 15 members from various agencies. It will develop policies for consideration by Government and guidance for the implementation of NBS. NBCC will also publish an Annual Biodiversity Report for Parliament and the Nepali People.
A Biodiversity Co-ordinator will be appointed to ensure that the NBCC achieves its goals, policy implementation and direction. The existing National Biodiversity Unit (NBU), established in 1997 under the Environment Division of the MFSC, acts as secretariat to the NBCC, serves as the forum for information exchange, and prepares status reports for the CBD Secretariat every five years. The Biodiversity Co-ordinator will head the NBU.
Five Thematic Sub-Committees (TSCs) will be established to address the five Biodiversity Themes identified in the CBD:
- Forest biodiversity - including protected area ecosystems and species (in-situ and ex-situ)
- Agricultural biodiversity
- Sustainable use of biological resources
- Genetic resources
- Biosecurity
It is envisaged that each of the 75 districts of Nepal will have a District Biodiversity Committee (DBC), chaired by the Distric Development Committee chairperson with representation from the Village Development Committees.
Government of Nepal has been aiming to set up a Nepal Trust Fund for Biodiversity since 1996 as an autonomous body (independent of the Government) to support conservation education, training, applied research, sustainable income-generating activities, anti-poaching control, women-focused programmes, indigenous knowledge and practices and policy development in accordance to national priorities identified in the NBS.
The first protected area in Nepal, Royal Chitwan National Park, was established in 1973 and since then the Government of Nepal has successfully developed a network of protected and conservation areas which cover about 16% of Nepal (see Protected Area table in Fact File). This network comprises eight other National Parks (Khaptad, Langtang, Makalu-Barun, Rara, Royal Bardia, Sagarmatha, Shey-Phoksundo, and Shivapuri), three Wildlife Reserves (Koshi Tappu, Parsa, and Royal Shukla Phanta), three Conservation Areas (Annapurna, Kanchanjunga, and Manaslu), and the Royal Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. The international importance of Sagarmatha National Park and Royal Chitwan National Park has also been recognised by their designation as World Heritage Sites in 1979 and 1984, respecitively. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve was declared a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance) in 1987. These protected areas are very important for conservation efforts in Nepal, as 80 of the 118 ecosystems identified in Nepal are included within them.
However, it is recognised that the network of protected areas needs to be extended, particularly for the ecologically important Mid Hills where only 1.4% of the land surface is currently included in a protected area. The Mid Hills have the greatest ecosystem diversity in Nepal, but this is under great strain as these lands support about 45% of the population, and the remnants of relatively undisturbed areas are seriously threatened. Initiatives with China an
d India for the development of a transboundary protected area system are also under way (e.g. around Kanchenjunga, see ICIMOD website), with the view to support corridors and connectivity between protected areas.
The administration and management of protected areas is undertaken by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (for Annapurna and Manaslu Conservation Areas the direct management is by a national NGO - the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, Conservation action: towards a plant red data book
However, it is recognised that the network of protected areas needs to be extended, particularly for the ecologically important Mid Hills where only 1.4% of the land surface is currently included in a protected area. The Mid Hills have the greatest ecosystem diversity in Nepal, but this is under great strain as these lands support about 45% of the population, and the remnants of relatively undisturbed areas are seriously threatened. Initiatives with China an
d India for the development of a transboundary protected area system are also under way (e.g. around Kanchenjunga, see ICIMOD website), with the view to support corridors and connectivity between protected areas.The administration and management of protected areas is undertaken by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (for Annapurna and Manaslu Conservation Areas the direct management is by a national NGO - the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, Conservation action: towards a plant red data book
The problem of lack of reliable, accurate biodiversity data on the threatened plants of Nepal has been highlighted in the Nepal Biodiversity Strategy (NBS 2002). Many countries have now produced a Plant Red Data Book that includes information on their most threatened plants, but Nepal does not yet have this. The foundations for a Plant Red Data Book for Nepal were made in the mid 1980’s when WWF-US funded the project ‘An Inventory on Endemic, Endangered and Threatened Plants of Nepal’. In the final report (Shrestha, et al., 1986) this publication listed 246 endemic species, providing information sheets on 193 of these. Unfortunately this work was not followed by a red data book as such, but, ten years later, Shrestha and Joshi (1996) published these results in Rare, Endemic and Endangered Plants of Nepal. This very useful book details 246 endemic and 60 other threatened species of plants. 90% of the endemics are only known from their original type collection, about 75% of these are from the high mountains. They conclude that nine species of flowering plants are nowsuspected as being extinct from Nepal, including eight endemics.
Selected publications on plant conservation in nepal
[CBD Second Report] His Majesty’s Government of Nepal, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (2002). Convention on Biological Diversity Second National Report, Nepal. Kathmandu, Nepal. [Download CBD Second Report: pdf file (1233kb)MS Word (981kb)]
Shrestha, T.B. (1999). Nepal Country Report on Biological Diversity. IUCN Nepal, Kathmandu.
Source:http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/nepal/frames.html?conservation.html#forest
1 comment:
Manish jee thanks for your crucial comment with ellusive information for me. Thanks again
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