NEPAL · 2021. 1. 5. · This past year, Nepal made history by satellite collaring two snow leopards in its Western Himalayan Landscape with vital support from local citizen scientists

ANNUAL REPORT 2020

NEPAL

© WWF 2020

All rights reserved.

Any reproduction of this publication in full or in part must mention the title and credit WWF.

Published by: WWF Nepal PO Box: 7660 Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal T: +977 1 4434820, F: +977 1 4438458 [email protected], www.wwfnepal.org

Cover photo: ©WWF Nepal Designed by: Kazi Studios

©Emmanuel Rondeau/WWF-US

CONTENTSMESSAGE 3

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR (FY 2019-2020) 4

WILDLIFE 7

FORESTS 13

CLIMATE & ENERGY 19

FRESHWATER 23

GOVERNANCE 27

COMMUNICATIONS & EDUCATION 31

TEN YEARS OF HARIYO BAN PROGRAM 34

FINANCIAL SUMMARY 42

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 43

Dedicated mothers: tigresses raise their cubs alone, protecting them from predators and teaching them how to hunt.

ABOUT WWF NEPALFrom its origins as a small group of committed wildlife enthusiasts, WWF has grown into one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, active in over 100 countries. Over this time, WWF’s focus has evolved from localized efforts in favor of a single species and individual habitats to an ambitious strategy to preserve biodiversity and achieve sustainable development across the globe.

WWF first started working in Nepal in 1967 through a rhino conservation program in Chitwan, however the WWF Nepal office was formally established only in 1993. WWF’s work in Nepal is centered on five thematic goals – forests, wildlife, freshwater, climate & energy and governance across the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL), Sacred Himalayan Landscape (SHL), Chitwan Annapurna Landscape (CHAL) and National Conservation Priority Areas (NCPA). The effective delivery of conservation results under the five thematic areas are supported by crosscutting programs on sustainable livelihoods, monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management, communications and conservation education.

At WWF, we firmly believe people and nature are inextricably linked. Through the years, WWF Nepal has progressed towards a landscape approach that prioritizes community-based conservation as the foundation for a sustainable future, benefiting approximately 2.1 million people.

Guided by the Government of Nepal’s priorities for biodiversity conservation, WWF Nepal works closely with the Ministry of Forests and Environment through the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and Department of Forests and Soil Conservation. Besides the national priority areas, WWF Nepal also works in conservation issues of regional and transboundary importance.

WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020 1


This past year, Nepal made history by satellite collaring two snow leopards in its Western Himalayan Landscape with vital support from local citizen scientists. This was shortly followed by the discovery of Nepal’s first High Altitude Tiger, paving the way for close transboundary partnerships in conserving these critical flagship species. Over the past decade, WWF Nepal has been actively working to restore herbivore assemblages in their historical ranges, finally succeeding in establishing a second viable population of blackbucks in Shuklaphanta National Park this year. Meanwhile, in a first for South Asia, Nepal also hosted the World Ranger Congress with the largest ever gathering of rangers and culminating in the signing of the Chitwan Declaration.

Meanwhile our initiatives in forestry sector helped bring 42,959 hectares of forests under improved management, benefiting 25,539 forest dependent households through WWF supported livelihood diversification measures and forest-based enterprises. Under the climate and energy practice, WWF Nepal added 427,265 tons of carbon emission reductions through the second crediting period of Phase I of Nepal’s Gold Standard VER Project, bringing the total emission reductions to 952,889 tons. This year, we’ve also taken steps to reflect environmental goals at an operational level with WWF Nepal making significant headway in moving towards carbon neutrality.

Whereas under the Freshwater practice Nepal embarks on its first ever assessment of Power System Pathways and High Conservation Value Rivers. Significant progress has also been made under WWF Nepal’s newly established Governance practice with the proposed development of 14 dedicated wildlife crossing structures and a pilot of five canopy bridges in Banke National Park. Additionally, 17 municipalities were also supported in the drafting of Environmental and Natural Resource Conservation Acts and 253 marginalized right holders and duty bearers capacitated.

Despite the challenges faced, this year we reaffirmed and showcased how government commitment, community stewardship and strong partnerships can propel Nepal towards greater heights in conservation. These achievements are but tiny steps forward in a long and arduous journey towards a future in which humans can live in harmony with nature, and the time for transformative action is now. The challenge we face today is indicative of the delicate balance we must maintain with nature, and we stand at a pivotal moment in history with the opportunity to reverse damages and build a safer future - for people and the planet.

Dr. Ghana S Gurung

Country Representative

COUNTRY REPRESENTATIVE

MESSAGE Nepal is not immune to the challenges of conservation, but the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded these challenges at a global scale. While the past year has been a difficult one, there have also been defining moments–of joy, togetherness and innovation–demonstrative of the spirit of together possible.

©WWF


© Wim van Passel / WWF

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR

FLAGSHIP TIGER PUBLICATION LAUNCHED - THE X FACTOR: NEPAL’S JOURNEY TO TX2

ASSESSMENT OF POWER SYSTEM PATHWAYS AND HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE RIVERS INITIATED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEPAL

150+ TEACHERS TRAINED ON GREEN SCHOOL GUIDELINES AND 60 ADDITIONAL ECO-CLUBS ESTABLISHED ACROSS SIX DISTRICTS

SATELLITE TELEMETRY IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINE APPROVED BY MINISTRY OF FORESTS AND ENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES CONSERVATION ACT (ENRCA) FRAMEWORK APPROVED BY MINISTRY OF FEDERAL AFFAIRS AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

SCOPE OF COOPERATION BETWEEN MINISTRY OF FORESTS AND ENVIRONMENT AND WWF NEPAL REVISED TO ESTABLISH STATE LEVEL COORDINATION MECHANISM FOR PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION

9TH WORLD RANGER CONGRESS SUCCESSFULLY HELD IN CHITWAN (AND IN ASIA) FOR THE FIRST TIME

TWO SNOW LEOPARDS SUCCESSFULLY SATELLITE COLLARED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SHEY PHOKSUNDO NATIONAL PARK IN NEPAL'S WESTERN HIMALAYAN LANDSCAPE

WILDLIFE DAMAGE INSURANCE MECHANISM SUCCESSFULLY PILOTED UNDER A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP MODEL IN A BUFFER ZONE OF CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SAFEGUARDS FRAMEWORK FOR TERAI ARC LANDSCAPE SCREENED AND APPROVED

FIRST NATIONAL PARK WIDE SNOW LEOPARD CAMERA TRAP SURVEY CONDUCTED IN SHEY PHOKSUNDO NATIONAL PARK

GOLD STANDARD VERIFIED EMISSION REDUCTION SALE AND PURCHASE AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH MYCLIMATE

NATIONAL LEVEL ECOSYSTEM AND FOREST TYPES MAPPING INITIATED IN THE COUNTRY

NATIONAL RIVER BASIN STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN INITIATED

MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, TOURISM, FOREST AND ENVIRONMENT, ADOPTS THE KARNALI PROVINCE TOURISM MASTER PLAN AND FEASIBILITY STUDY OF TOURISM ROUTES

EARTH HOUR NEPAL MARKED DIGITALLY WITH A DIGITAL REACH OF 4.5 MILLION AND 9.2 MILLION IN SOCIAL MEDIA IMPRESSIONS

SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT MANUAL PUBLISHED

TIGER SIGHTED AT RECORD HIGH ALTITUDE OF ~2500M IN WESTERN, NEPAL

COVID-19 PREPAREDNESS SUPPORT EXTENDED TO 20 PROTECTED AREAS AND 44 DIVISIONAL FOREST OFFICES

ZERO POACHING OF RHINOS ACHIEVED ON SEVEN OCCASIONS (2011-2020)

JULY 2019

DECEMBER 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019

NOVEMBER 2019 JANUARY 2020

FEBRUARY 2020

APRIL 2020

MARCH 2020

OCTOBER 2019

SECOND VIABLE POPULATION OF BLACKBUCKS ESTABLISHED IN SHUKLAPHANTA NATIONAL PARK


(1993-2020)


©DNPWC/WWF Nepal

WILDLIFE

NEPAL’S FIRST HIGH ALTITUDE TIGER RECORDED AT ~2500M

7 OCCASIONS OF ZERO POACHING FOR NEPAL’S RHINOS

140,635+ HOUSEHOLDS BENEFITED FROM HABITAT AND CORRIDOR EFFORTS

6 SNOW LEOPARDS SUCCESSFULLY SATELLITE COLLARED


©DOFSC/WWF Nepal

©DNPWC/WWF Nepal

HIGH ALTITUDE TIGER

ENCOUNTERING THE ELUSIVETwo male snow leopards were sucessfully GPS collared in Shey Phoksundo National Park (SPNP), Dolpa on 16 and 18 November 2019 making them the first satellite collared snow leopards in Nepal’s Western Himalayan Landscape (WHL). Captured at 4171m, the first snow leopard weighing 38 kgs was named Zeborong, while the second captured at 3885m and weighing 33 kgs was named Samling. WHL is a priority landscape, with SPNP having the largest snow leopard density in Nepal and a prime population source for interconnected protected areas. The data generated from these collars will be crucial in understanding the spatial ecology of snow leopards while also bridging existing information gaps in this landscape. Snow leopard and prey base monitoring were also undertaken in the Central Snow Leopard Landscape covering the Annapurna-Manaslu Conservation Area, and showing a predictive density of 0.1-1.9 individuals per 100 sq.km, an increasing trend in Himalayan thar populations (+1012) and a declining trend in blue sheep populations (-181) compared to the 2014 baseline.

A tiger was sighted at a record high altitude of ~2500m in the forests of Dadeldhura, beyond Nepal’s known tiger distribution range in the Terai Arc Landscape. The finding validates former studies and qualifies Nepal as a high-altitude tiger habitat site. This opens up possibilities of a contiguous habitat for tigers spanning the transboundary landscape - from the Churia forest range in Nepal, to the Boom, Danda and Champawat forest ranges in India. The finding also opens avenues for research on the relatively understudied Mahabharata range and understanding on tiger’s use of such high-altitude habitats, widens opportunities for strengthened transboundary conservation and provides a safe dispersal pathway between protected areas.

IMPROVING CRITICAL HABITATSApproximately 3,000 ha of critical habitats – grasslands, riverine, pasturelands, refugia, wetlands – were protected, managed and restored this fiscal year across WWF Nepal’s working landscapes through removal of invasive species and woody perennials, grassland management, ensuring access to pasturelands and construction of 28 wetlands. These critical habitats are expected to show improved biophysical conditions such as regeneration, crown cover, reduced invasive coverage and increased population of focal species and herbivore populations. The increased habitat occupancy for tigers in Terai Arc Landscape (~47% against 2009 baseline) is a proxy indicator that reflects improved biophysical conditions in the landscape. Meanwhile over 500 ha of degraded forest patches were fenced to restore connectivity between core areas and buffer zones, over 366 households supported with improved livestock sheds in line with integrated grazing management principles, and 679 households supported in livelihood diversification through income generation activities such as farming, dairy, fish enterprises and skill-based trainings.


©WWF Nepal/Prasiit Sthapit

©Karun Dewan/WWF Nepal

MANAGING HUMAN WILDLIFE CONFLICTIn another first, WWF Nepal successfully piloted a Wildlife Damage Insurance (WDI) scheme leveraging resources from the local government in the high conflict buffer zone area of Mirgakunja, Chitwan National Park under the USAID funded Hariyo Ban Program. This fiscal year saw a decrease in human wildlife conflict (HWC) across WWF Nepal’s intervention sites. Continued support for preventive and curative measures such as predator proof corrals, mesh, barbed and electric wire fences, plantation of unpalatable crops, scaling up of livestock insurance schemes, and sensitization programs at community and policy levels on national wildlife damage relief guidelines are major reasons behind this decline. Meanwhile active mobilization and support of rapid response teams (RRT) in proactive response to HWC incidences resulted in the rescue of 80 animals in Bardia National Park. WWF Nepal also continued its educational support for children affected by HWC providing over 80 scholarships this year as well as establishing a HWC Scholarship Endowment Fund of NRs. 0.5 million in the Rewa buffer zone of Chitwan National Park.

MAINTAINING HERBIVORE ASSEMBLAGESConsidering the risk of epidemic disease or stochastic events that could wipe out single populations, WWF Nepal has been supporting an ambitious plan to establish a second viable population of rhinos (50+) in the western Terai through translocations from Chitwan National Park to Bardia and Shuklaphanta National Parks (BNP 8, ShNP 5). With current populations estimated at 51 (BNP-34, ShNP 17) efforts are well on track to bring back the species to their historical ranges. Likewise, monitoring of reintroduced blackbuck populations in ShNP indicate that numbers have more than doubled from 28 in 2012 to 112 in FY20, succeeding in creating a viable population of blackbucks in ShNP. Meanwhile, the presence of a F2 generation and recruitment of three calves into the population of wild water buffaloes this fiscal year is also indicative of habitat suitability despite unpredictable stochastic events, such as floods.

ZERO TOLERANCE FOR WILDLIFE CRIMES For the seventh time since 2011, Nepal achieved another 365 days of zero poaching of rhinos. Continued enforcement efforts this fiscal year led to 250 arrests and 269 seizures of illegal wildlife parts, 21% of which were endangered species. Meanwhile, enhanced monitoring and patrol of protected areas and buffer zones supported by conservation technologies such as Real-Time SMART patrolling, CCTV park surveillance, and Joint Operation Cells replicated in Banke, Bardia and Shuklaphanta National Parks, helped secure ~1 million km across seven prime tiger habitats. Anti-trafficking networks were also extended through the formation and capacity building of 26 Wildlife Crime Control Bureau’s in 28 strategically important districts. Whereas, 2000+ people were capacitated in wildlife monitoring, technology handling, wildlife crime control, investigation and prosecution, and 2200+ Community Based Anti-

Poaching Unit members and 400+ forest guards mobilized and oriented on relevant acts, policies and guidelines.

Various awareness programs on illegal wildlife trade were also undertaken through musical public service announcements, cautionary signages at airports and major trade routes, and trainings for conventional and non-conventional partners.

POST PANDEMIC RESPONSE With a spike in forest related crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic, WWF Nepal focused on ensuring the health, safety and security of frontline conservation personnel and communities through the provision of essential health and medical supplies to 20 Protected Areas, 14 Nepal Army units deployed in Protected Areas, 44 Divisional Forest Offices, 7 province level Ministries of Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment and 7 province directorates across the country.


© WWF Nepal

FORESTS

29,000+ HECTARES OF FORESTS RESTORED

452,000+ HECTARES OF FORESTS UNDER COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT

67,000+ FOREST DEPENDENT HOUSEHOLDS BENEFITED FROM ALTERNATE LIVELIHOOD OPTIONS

3500+ HECTARES OF FORESTS UNDER SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT REGIME

(1993-2020)



FOREST PROTECTION 131,253 ha of forests were effectively protected through strengthened protected forest management systems while ensuring a balance between human needs and safeguarding of the environment. Forest protection initiatives this fiscal year focused on reducing threats and drivers of deforestation and forest degradation through three key interventions - construction and maintenance of forest roads to curb forest fires, building community awareness and capacities, integrated grazing management, and boosting monitoring and patrol efforts to check illicit activities - in three key protected forest sites of Laljhadi-Mohana, Khata and Barandabar.

©WWF Nepal/Rocky Prajapat

© Simon de Trey White/ WWF UK

COMMUNITY BASED FOREST MANAGEMENTThrough the community-based forest management approach, 42,959 ha of forests were brought under improved management; benefiting 25,539 forest dependent households. Nepal’s community forestry program is a unique conservation model that successfully brings local people to the forefront of conservation through transfer of use rights of forest resources from the government. This fiscal year, 144 Forest Operation Plans (FOPs) were revised with the objective of empowering marginalized groups, ensuring meaningful participation and equitable benefit sharing within community forest user groups, as well as guaranteeing forest management prescriptions focused on silvicultural operations and capacity development. Likewise, 318 FOPs were implemented across WWF Nepal’s working landscapes and 877 forest users provided trainings on forest and natural resource management.

SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENTForests under sustainable forest management (SFM) increased from 2,725 ha to 3,533 ha this fiscal year across Laljhadi-Mohana and Karnali corridors of the Terai Arc Landscape, generating 350,456 person-hours of employment, and sustainable harvest of 4,056 m3 of timber; equivalent to USD 1 million. Under this model, present optimum yield is regulated with due consideration for sustainable forest regeneration while also ensuring economic benefits to society. A resource book titled “Sustainable Forest Management” was also published, aiming to enhance knowledge and practice of SFM on the ground, benefiting forest technicians, user groups, local resource persons and other stakeholders. WWF Nepal also supported the development of forest management plans for two community forests incorporating SFM principles and implementation of 10 community forest management plans.


©Shayasta Tuladhar/WWF Nepal ©WWF Nepal/Rocky Prajapati

©Muna Thapa/WWF Nepal

CONSERVATION PAYBACK 25,539 forest dependent households benefited from livelihood diversification support this fiscal year. WWF Nepal continues to support an assortment of forest based enterprises ranging from sawmill and furniture enterprises to non-timber forest products, high value agricultural products such as leaf plates, broom grass, nettle, mushroom, citrus, chamomile, coffee, tea and chilly, as well as livestock and ecotourism enterprises. These initiatives are aimed at safeguarding and improving livelihoods of forest dependent communities through livelihood diversification while also contributing to reduced deforestation and forest degradation. Entrepreneurship and skill-based trainings were also provided to 114 forest dependent individuals and 58 community-based homestays. Meanwhile in a first, the state of Karnali also developed a ten-year Tourism Master Plan supported by WWF Nepal, integrating nature-based tourism strategies.

FORESTRY GOVERNANCEFollowing Nepal’s federal restructuring, 74 District Forest Offices were transformed into 84 Divisional Forest Offices. WWF Nepal provided institutional support to seven of these offices with an objective of enhancing protection and management of forests and improving service delivery. The Government of Nepal’s Forest Act of 2019 addresses the restructuring of the forestry sector, and a Forest Regulation for implementation of the forest act has consequently been drafted. WWF Nepal supported the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation by facilitating consultations with legal experts, relevant authorities and stakeholders. The Forest Regulation now awaits endorsement from the government. Meanwhile, state level coordination committees were formed in four states, in a bid to formalize engagement with state governments and facilitate implementation of WWF funded programs outside the protected area system.

RESTORING FORESTS5,210 ha of degraded forests were effectively restored this fiscal year across WWF Nepal’s priority working landscapes through various restoration initiatives, ranging from upgrading of multipurpose forest nurseries in critical corridors, to construction of fences to protect plantations and facilitate natural regeneration. Meanwhile, forest landscape restoration through agroforestry and private forestry initiatives were also promoted in various landscape segments to regain ecological functionality. WWF Nepal also supported the government’s ‘National Plantation Year’ campaign, aimed at promoting trees outside forests with 327,154 seedlings planted this fiscal year. WWF Nepal also provided support in the mapping of Nepal’s forest and ecosystem types as a member of the government's Technical Working Group, a study last conducted in 1972.


©WWF Nepal/Samir Jung Thapa

CLIMATE & ENERGY

71,200+HOUSEHOLDS BENEFITED FROM ALTERNATE ENERGY OPTIONS

26,200+UNITS OF BIOGAS INSTALLED

~950,000+TONS OF CO2 SEQUESTERED

127,900+HOUSEHOLDS BENEFITED FROM CLIMATE ADAPTATION ACTIONS

(1993-2020)


©WWF Nepal

SUPPORTING NATIONAL CLIMATE AMBITIONS

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION 6,645 climate vulnerable people living within the critical corridors of Laljhadi-Mohana, Khata, Karnali and Brahmadev benefited from various adaptation actions this fiscal year. WWF Nepal supported the implementation of Integrated Sub-Watershed Management Plans (ISWMP) in two sub-watersheds of the Brahmadev corridor through adaptation actions such as maintenance and upgrading of small-scale irrigation canals, climate adaptive vegetable farming, construction of water storage ponds for farming,

©Karine Aigner/WWF-US

In a bid to enhance the country’s engagement and meet international commitments in global climate platforms, as well as access multilateral funds, WWF Nepal continued its support to key government and civil society stakeholders. In 2016, the government of Nepal communicated 14 commitments in its Nationally Determined Contributions to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. WWF Nepal supported three key areas this fiscal year – accessing international funding to promote national climate actions; promoting clean and renewable energy to reduce dependency on fuelwood and forests; and providing technical inputs for the National Adaptation Plan process through thematic working groups. WWF Nepal’s support has been pivotal in government efforts to access funding from the Capacity Building Initiative for Transparency (CBIT) Fund, the Least Developed Country Fund (LDCF) under the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF).

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY PROMOTIONFuelwood dependency has proven to be a persistent issue across Nepal with far reaching impacts on the natural environment. Over the last decade, WWF Nepal has been working to tackle this through a series of interventions that seek to facilitate conversion to sustainable and renewable energy sources. This fiscal year, 246 households benefited through access to clean energy sources such as biogas, improved cooking stoves and electric induction cookers across its working landscapes. This has had multiple social benefits to communities; especially women, in the form of reduced exposure to indoor air pollution from firewood, improved health, and reduced time spent on collecting and cooking on firewood, while also reducing pressure on Nepal’s forests.

Meanwhile, Phase I of Nepal’s Gold Standard VER Project; wherein 7,500 biogas plants were constructed between 2007-2011, has resulted in the issuance of emission reduction certificates for its second crediting period (2014-2021) at an emission reduction of 427,265 tons of CO2 equivalent till 2019. As per the Emission Reduction Purchase Agreement

(ERPA) signed between MyClimate and the Biogas Sector Partnership (BSP) in December 2019, an approximate of Euro 1.3 million will be available from the sale of carbon credits to be further leveraged for construction of additional biogas plants.

REDUCING CLIMATE VULNERABILITY THROUGH ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENTAs part of the Integrated Sub-Watershed Management Plan implementation in Radha sub-watershed, 600-meters of barbed wire fencing were constructed to protect it from open grazing and rehabilitate the land through plantation and regeneration. These forest areas have proven to be a valuable buffer against floods during the monsoon. Likewise, barbed wire fencing has protected 215 ha of degraded forest land in Karnali, Laljhadi-Mohana, Khata corridors and Fulbari-Dang area, whereas 50 ha of forests were maintained in the Karnali corridor through removal of unwanted species and four conservation ponds constructed within the community forests for ground water recharge and as a source of drinking water for wildlife.

poly houses, forest fire management activities, restoration of flood plains, and protection of local livelihoods and assets from floods and landslides through bioengineering measures. Community Forest User Groups (CFUG) were also supported with firefighting equipment and safety kits to manage incidences of fire, and awareness programs on forest fires, conducted around critical sites. Various CFUG capacity building programs on integration of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction into forest operation plans, exposure visits and trainings were also conducted this fiscal year.


©Karine Aigner/WWF-US

FRESHWATER

204,300+ HECTARES OF CRITICAL WATERSHEDS UNDER IMPROVED MANAGEMENT

18,900+ HOUSEHOLDS WITH INCREASED ACCESS TO WATER RESOURCES

125,100+ HOUSEHOLDS BENEFITED FROM FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEM CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES

8 WETLANDS CERTIFIED AS RAMSAR SITES

(1993-2020)

HIGH CONSERVATION VALUE RIVERSUnder USAID’s PANI program, two workshops, five advisory group meetings and 18 stakeholder meetings were conducted with a focus on High Conservation Value Rivers (HCVR), to establish regulatory, institutional and political contexts for hydropower/water management and development in Nepal.

MAINTAINING FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEM INTEGRITY Freshwater ecosystems are faced with varied threats such as over fishing, aquatic invasive species, unmanaged sand and gravel mining, pollution, encroachment, siltation, ground water extraction, climate change and policy gaps that exacerbate impacts. WWF Nepal’s Freshwater program therefore seeks to reduce these identified threats in seven critical freshwater habitats of Nepal. Internal assessments on existing threats in these habitats indicate an average threat score of 3.18 on a scale of 0 to 5 (5 representing the highest level of threat). Investments in two critical habitats of Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley and Tiger Lake of Barandabar Corridor, both of which fall under Narayani basin have reduced threat levels, from 3.18 in 2016 to 2.66 in 2020. Support for the restoration of Tiger Lake was also continued to increase water storage capacity through removal of invasive species and sediment deposits, and construction of dykes and outlet facilities which has reduced the danger of dam outbursts. The lake provides essential ecosystem services in terms of flood protection, groundwater recharge, water for wildlife and more.

RESTORING LAKE CLUSTER OF POKHARA VALLEYUnder USAID’s Hariyo Ban Program, threat levels in six of the Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley’s (LCPV) nine lakes (Khaste, Niureni, Maidi, Gunde, Kamalpokhari and Phewa) were successfully reduced through the removal of aquatic invasive species, landslide stabilization, construction of sediment traps, cultivation of perennial crops, construction of dykes and plantation around lakes. Support was also extended towards lake-based ecotourism services this fiscal year through improvement of the Information Collection Center and installation of visitor benches around the lakes of Kaste, Niureni and Gunde. Likewise, 20 bamboo boats were supported in Khaste, Gunde and Maidi lakes to regularize lake cleaning and provide better habitat for migratory birds, and 50,000 fingerlings of Rahu and Naini fish released in the lakes of Kamalpokhari, Gunde and Maidi.

INTEGRATED WATERSHED MANAGEMENT42,784 ha of critical watersheds were improved through various management activities such as construction of check dams to control gully erosion, construction of embankments to check riverbank cutting, plantation of perennial crops to reduce soil erosion, construction of recharge ponds and protection of water sources. Meanwhile the Phewa Lake Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) fund; a market-based mechanism in which transaction of well-defined ecosystem services takes place voluntarily between service receiver and service provider, has helped bring the watershed under improved management, through landslide stabilization, gully control, recharge pond construction, removal of water hyacinth and livelihood diversification. The Phewa Watershed Ecosystem Management Board (PWEMB) supported by WWF Nepal through capacity building on management, best conservation practices, maintaining lake ecosystem health and services and sustainable financing for integrated lake basin management has played a major role in the lake’s improved conditions. An action research project on LCPV watersheds and spring sheds was also supported this fiscal year to identify recharge zones for critical springs.

Parallelly, a HCVR assessment of Nepal, System Scale Planning of Karnali basin and Energy Options Assessment of Nepal is also being undertaken. During this period, WWF Nepal has also been preparing different national scale databases on the distribution of fish, water birds, otters, dolphins, gharial, important river reaches for tigers and rhinos, as well as rafting, kayaking, and angling sites.


©Karun Dewan/WWF Nepal


© Pramod Neupane/WWF Nepal

GOVERNANCE

14 DEDICATED WILDLIFE CROSSING STRUCTURES PROPOSED

5 CANOPY BRIDGES PILOTED IN BANKE NATIONAL PARK

17 MUNICIPALITIES SUPPORTED IN DRAFTING ENVIRONMENTAL & NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVATION ACTS

253 MARGINALIZED RIGHT HOLDERS AND DUTY BEARERS CAPACITATED

(2019-2020)

TOWARDS SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE CONSERVATION

WWF Nepal seeks to strengthen access to natural resource and support equitable benefit sharing mechanisms for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) by creating inclusive, transparent, accountable, and participatory governance mechanisms for sustainable management of natural resources.

As such, a national level guideline on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) was drafted this fiscal year under the ownership of National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) and is currently awaiting endorsement by NFDIN’s executive board to ensure validity at the national level. This guideline will be critical in safeguarding the rights of IPLCs in any conservation and development projects at the national, provincial and local levels. WWF Nepal also collaborated with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation in institutionalizing social issues into conservation practices within protected areas through a session on human rights during the Annual Park Warden and Buffer Zone Committee Meeting. Likewise, the Environmental and Social Safeguards Framework (ESSF) was also institutionalized at the landscape level.

SUSTAINABLE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE WWF Nepal has been engaging intensively with diverse development stakeholders over the last five years, with the objective of developing ecologically sound, climate resilient, socially inclusive and economically viable infrastructure. This fiscal year, 14 dedicated wildlife crossing zones were proposed and approved along the 115 km Narayanghat-Butwal road section to safeguard wildlife dispersal in Chitwan National Park and its buffer zones. WWF Nepal also conducted studies on the effectiveness of canopy bridges for arboreal animals in Banke National Park, an assessment of large infrastructure in corridor complexes of Terai Arc Landscape and rolled out the Green Road Engineering Training Manual in two districts; Gorkha and Kaski. Various knowledge exchange programs, workshops and meetings were also held with key government stakeholders, to enhance coordination, awareness and action on sustainable infrastructure development practices.

MAINSTREAMING CONSERVATION AT LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL Since the national adoption of the federal structure, WWF Nepal has been committed towards developing an enabling environment for formulation of environment friendly development policies at the local, state and federal levels. In line with this, various workshops, capacity building trainings, field study tours, and meetings were held with parliamentarians, government officials and other stakeholders on topics of biodiversity conservation, integrated watershed management, environmentally friendly infrastructure, green road engineering, climate resilient development, environmental justice, and more. The outcomes of these programs are evident in the reflection of these issues in Environment Protection Acts, and regulations and guidelines at national, provincial and local levels. WWF Nepal also supported the formulation of the Environment and Natural Resources Conservation Act (ENRCA) for 17 selected local governments, to be replicated by other local governments as per the Local Governance and Operation Act, 2017. Support was also extended to the Ministry of Industry Tourism Forest and Environment, in developing a ten-year Tourism Master Plan, integrating nature-based tourism strategies, as well as a feasibility study of tourism routes for the province of Karnali to determine low-impact and high-gain tourism routes.

MAINSTREAMING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS With the objective of localizing environment related Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 6, 7, 13, 15), WWF Nepal has been providing technical expertise to capacitate state and non-state actors in reporting environment related sustainable development goals. Progress on environmental SDGs mainly 6, 13, and 15 have consequently been incorporated into the Voluntary National Review (VNR) report by Nepali civil society organizations and submitted to the National Planning Commission. WWF Nepal also played a vital role, providing technical and financial support to prepare civil society organizations in developing a national report for the Sustainable Development Goals-Voluntary National Review 2020.


©DoFSC/WWF Nepal

©Pramod Neupane/WWF Nepal©Pramod Neupane/WWF Nepal


©Ranjan Ramchandani

COMMUNICATIONS & EDUCATION

10+ MILLION DIGITAL REACH

12+ MILLION DIGITAL IMPRESSIONS

118,000+ DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT

145+ MEDIA MENTIONS

(FY 2019 - 2020)

WORLD RANGER CONGRESS

Nepal was selected due to its excellence in anti-poaching, its conservation record of zero poaching of rhinos on multiple occasions, and the almost doubling of tiger numbers as part of the global TX2 goal. The congress focused on key issues facing rangers including—ranger welfare, collaboration with local communities, employment of indigenous rangers, ranger capacity, gender balance in the ranger workforce, role of

EARTH HOUR Amidst the global COVID-19 health crisis, Earth Hour Nepal was marked digitally for the first time ever, through Nepal’s Voice for the Planet; a global campaign demanding urgent climate action from world leaders. Without being geographically bound to Kathmandu, Earth Hour Nepal saw people from all over the country virtually unite to raise their voice for the environment. The event featured brief sessions led by change agents, performances by conservationists and several others who shared their messages, through art, music and photography, on the growing need to protect nature and spread hope for the planet. The digital event drew an overwhelming participation, garnering a digital reach of over 4.5 million and 9.2 million in social media impressions throughout the month long campaign.

INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN DAYOn International Mountain Day, WWF Nepal organized an interactive story telling session at the Kathmandu International Film Festival (KIMFF) seeking to raise awareness among urban youth on snow leopards and conservation efforts targeted towards these elusive species. Helmed by three local conservationists who between them had over three decades of experience, the event took the audience behind the scenes showcasing the realities of living with snow leopards, working in their habitats and the science behind it all. Over 300 individuals participated; more than 80% of whom were youth.

SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAMS The Wild Wisdom Quiz; Asia’s biggest wildlife quiz that seeks to raise awareness among youth on the values of biodiversity and wildlife conservation was scaled up this fiscal year to

include 230 schools and 460 students across 14 districts under WWF Nepal’s conservation education program. Ghataraj Memorial School emerged the proud winner of the Nepal edition, representing the country in the international finale held in New Delhi, India and securing third place among the six participating countries. 150+ teachers were also trained on Green School Guidelines and 60 additional eco clubs established across six districts this fiscal year. With schools across the nation coming to a standstill following the COVID-19 pandemic, WWF Nepal partner schools were provided trainings on digital learning, attended by over 198 teachers across WWF Nepal’s working areas. Additionally, 12 eco activities were curated, based on the forest, freshwater, wildlife and climate practices to promote stay-at-home learning paradigms for children.

YOUTH OUTREACH PROGRAMSWWF Nepal partnered with Idea Studio, Season 4 to implement its Greenovation Program that seeks to nurture and transform sustainable and innovative green entrepreneurship ideas into tangible green businesses while bringing together a unique consortium of public and private sector institutions. The program received over 500 applicants in the College and National Idea Hunt program and garnered instant interest across the digital spectrum. 33 ideators were then trained and mentored in the National Incubation Center, following which five businesses were awarded seed funding in four categories - High Flying, Made in Nepal, Social Impact, and Greenovation.

Meanwhile, following the COVID-19 pandemic, WWF Nepal digitally marked the 25th celebration of National Wildlife Week through public learning sessions with leading experts from WWF Nepal, on topics ranging from tiger behavior to rhino conservation and community leadership. Similarly, World Environment Day was celebrated digitally with the youth led video campaign themed “Green Warriors”.

Organized by International Ranger Federation (IRF), hosted by the Government of Nepal and supported by WWF, the 9th World Ranger Congress was successfully held in Chitwan, Nepal this fiscal year. The event was an unprecedented success with the largest gathering of rangers ever; over 700+ participants from over 70 countries; and the first to be held in Asia.

ranger associations, use of technology—and culminated with the signing of the Chitwan Declaration which aims to enable and advocate for better training and support for rangers, improve opportunities and working conditions across the sector and with local communities, along with a greater recognition of the critical value and professionalization of the ranger workforce.


©WWF Nepal/Karkhana

10 YEARS OF HARIYO BAN

75,376457,980

519

Eco F

riendly

Enterprises Established

Hectares of Grasslands, Wetlands and

Num

ber of People Reached Through

Forests Managed and Improved

Community Learning Action Centers (CLACs)

Climate Change Activities

Formed and Mobilized

Supp

orte

d

500

78

OVER 690,000 PEOPLECapacitated and

Engaged in Conservation

DISASTER RISK REDUCTION

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION

BIODIVERSITY

LIVELIHOODSTRATEGI

ES, PO

LICIES

AND P

LANS

INCLUSION AND GOVERNANCEGENDER EQUALITY & SOCIAL

GoalPhase I: Reduce adverse impacts of climate change and threats to

biodiversity in Nepal

Phase II: Increase ecological and community resilience in CHAL & TAL

ObjectivesPhase I: Reduce threats to biodiversity in targeted landscapes

Build the structures, capacity, and operations necessary for effective sustainable landscape management,

Focus on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) Readiness

Improve climate change adaptation among targeted communities

Phase II: Improve conservation and management of CHAL and TAL

Reduce climate change vulnerability in CHAL and TAL

Leveraged USD 829,390

Herbivore Assemblage8 Rhinos15 Wild Water Buffaloes42 Blackbucks7 Swamp Deer

7 Occasions of Zero Rhino Poaching (2011 to 2020)

235 Tigers from 198 in 2013

278 Commuinity Based Anti Poaching Units Formed

418 Commuinity Based Anti Poaching Units Mobilized

429,184 People Benefited from Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction programs

28,796 People Trained in Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction Programs

32,291 People Trained on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, and Governance

14,855 Men and Women Reached Through Community Learning Action Centers

387 Natural Resource Management Groups Strengthened on Good Governance Practices like Equitable Benefit Sharing of Natural Resources, Representation of Women and Marginalized Groups, etc.

61 Conservation Strategies, Plans and Policies

331 Community Adaptation Plan of Action

96 Local Adaptation Plan of Action

19 Integrated Sub-Watershed Management Plans

16 Forest Based Enterprises - Nettle Powder, Bel Juice, etc.

26 Agri Based Enterprises - Coffee, Dairy, Cardamom, etc.

36 Off Farm Based Enterprises- Wool-weaving, Homestays, etc.

19,490 Households Benefited from Income Generation Activities

1,516 People Received Skill Based Trainings

CHINA

INDIA

TERAI ARC LANDSCAPE

CHITWAN ANNAPURNA LANDSCAPE

CHIEF OF PARTY

MESSAGE

37

TEN YEARS OF HARIYO BAN PROGRAM

HARIYO BAN WORKING AREAS

Friends, Colleagues, and Partners,

What a wonderful conservation journey it has been this past decade! It has been a great pleasure working for the Hariyo Ban Program and leading its second phase. We have had excellent opportunities to initiate and adapt to strategic and inclusive conservation initiatives from a consortium of four partners that brought unique sets of expertise to the table.

From Upper Mustang in the north to the mid hills and plains of Terai, we have found practical and innovative ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty, all the while protecting their natural environment and adapting to climate change at the local and national levels. Seeing these very communities, initiate eco-friendly enterprises has therefore been a heartwarming experience. Knowing that every sale of Kanthamala created by the Dalit women's group in Tanahun or Coffee packet sold in Kaski is reinvested in the education of their children, only cements the belief in our modality that serves the poor and vulnerable living alongside forests and critical biodiversity corridors. It has been a proud moment for us that our coordinated efforts have helped protect, restore, and enhance Nepal's diverse wildlife, ranging from rhinos and blackbucks to wild water buffaloes and their habitats – be it in their own habitat or their translocated homes.

Strongly believing that no society can develop without empowering its women, our campaigns have augmented the voices of economically and socially marginalized forest dependent populations that not only influence decisions

©WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program/Nabin Baral

that affect them but also help improve forest cover, enhance internal governance of NRM groups, and emphasize the importance of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion.

The integration of our interventions in biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation into the annual work plan of local governments is further indicative of the impact and ownership among local governments. This reveals the power of working alongside local communities, building on their traditional experiences, while also capacitating them to better understand and act, provoking a virtuous cycle of benefits that flow from natural resources to people, and vice versa.

As the Program nears completion, I would like to thank the Government of Nepal and USAID; as well as the American People for their generous support as well as our consortium partners and local communities for helping the Program achieve great heights in the natural resource management sector. While many conservation challenges lay ahead, it is my hope that our work in biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation has established a strong groundwork for greater future achievements.

Shant Raj Jnawali, PhDChief of Party, Hariyo Ban Program - II

USAID's Hariyo Ban (Green Forests) Program aims to reduce threats to biological diversity and vulnerabilities to climate change in two bio-diverse landscapes of Nepal - Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) and Chitwan Annapurna Landscape (CHAL) - that cover 35% of Nepal. The Program is implemented by a consortium of four partners: World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as the lead, Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE), National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), and the Federation of Community Forest Users Nepal (FECOFUN).




The Program was designed to address key threats to biodiversity, reduce climate vulnerability, improve livelihood of the forest dependent, promote Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) in Natural Resource Management (NRM), improve internal governance of forest and watershed groups, and support all levels of government in policy formulation. During the last decade, the Program has made significant inroads in improving biophysical conditions, alternative livelihoods, internal governance and gender equality and social inclusion, as well as curbing wildlife crime, mitigating human wildlife conflict, and climate induced hazards such as forest fires, droughts and landslides.

The Program adopts an integrated landscape approach to biodiversity conservation and sound forest and watershed management principles, implemented in partnership with the Government of Nepal and scores of community forestry user groups in four biodiversity corridors (Shuklaphanta-Brahmadev, Bardia-Karnali, Banke-Kamdi, Chitwan-Barandabar) in TAL, and three sub-river basins (Seti, Marsyangdi, Daraundi) in CHAL complemented by policy support at federal, provincial, and local levels.

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATIONOver the last decade, the Program has contributed to improving 75,376 ha of grasslands, wetlands and forests. The nation has also achieved zero poaching of rhinos on seven occasions, and a close to doubling of its tiger numbers (from 198 in 2013 to 235 in 2018); with critical support from the Program helping form and mobilize 278 and 418 Community Based Anti-Poaching Units respectively. Meanwhile, the restoration of original assemblage of herbivores (rhinoceros, wild water buffalo, blackbuck, swamp deer) through translocation to their former ranges has also proven successful. On the policy front, 61 conservation strategies, plans and policies have been developed over the last decade, ranging from flora and fauna to wetlands and more. In addition, 21,000+ households have benefited from various livelihood and income generation activities supported by the Program helping reduce unsustainable pressure on natural resources.

The Program has made significant contributions to these through its approach; prioritizing and tackling threats to biodiversity, protecting rare and endangered species and their critical habitats, leveraging cutting edge technology, while also conserving and restoring important ecosystem services, critical watersheds, and facilitating landscape functionality. All of this in close collaboration with local communities, community-based institutions and the private sector.

CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATIONOver the past decade, significant achievements have been made in reducing climate vulnerabilities and risks with 457,980 people benefiting from various climate change mitigation and adaptation activities. The Program successfully piloted Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) in two sites, a market-based mechanism in which transactions of well-defined ecosystem services take place, promoting linkages between upstream and downstream communities for mutual as well as environmental benefits.

Whereas, another success came in the form of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction measures being integrated into planning processes at the local government level, alongside being reflected in TAL and CHAL landscape strategies and action plans. The Program was also instrumental in implementation of four climate change related national level policies and incorporating the Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA) framework into local governmental plans. Other adaption interventions to reduce climate vulnerabilities range from livelihood diversification through climate smart agriculture such as plastic tunnel farming, construction of recharge ponds and embankments, disaster risk reduction, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) measures, critical in building community and ecosystem resilience.

41WWF NEPAL ANNUAL REPORT 2020

GESI AND GOVERNANCEWomen and marginalized communities living alongside protected regions often play a critical role in conservation but remain economically and environmentally vulnerable due to reliance on natural resources and lack of alternative livelihood options. Gender Equality and Social Inclusion is therefore a core pillar of the Program which aims to engage these communities by enhancing their leadership skills and representation in forums such as community forest user groups. Over the last decade, 519 Community Learning and Action Centers (CLACs) have been formed and mobilized providing a forum for women and marginalized communities to gather, discuss social issues, and identify ways to overcome them. Whereas, over 32,000 people have been trained on GESI and Governance.

Moreover, with the goal of promoting equitable sharing of conservation benefits and including marginalized communities in the decision-making process, the Program over the last decade has made significant progress in improving governance of local NRM groups by addressing gender-based violence (GBV), social issues, and enhancing their institutional capacity through mobilization of change agents. This has subsequently led to strengthened engagement; with women, poor and marginalized communities holding key leadership positions, effective implementation of NRM policies, and increased leveraging of resources for natural resource management ultimately safeguarding people and the natural environment that they depend upon.

INNOVATION AND KNOWLEDGE GENERATIONWith the objective of promoting innovation and research in the field of biodiversity and climate change among government agencies, civil society organizations, private sector, research institutions and academia, the Program initiated the Windows of Opportunity program in Phase I, later restructured under the Small Grants Program in Phase II. These initiatives intended to fulfil gaps in the Program’s plan of action and scale up successful pilot projects that added value to the Program’s goals.

During the project duration more than 425 grants were issued, enabling a wide range of stakeholders to undertake innovative projects through applied research, piloting of promising approaches, policy development, and capacity building in the fields of climate change adaptation, GESI and governance and forest management.

Building on its achievements and learnings, the Program continues to work towards improving ecological and community resilience in its working landscapes. Over the last decade, the Program has made great strides in reducing threats to biodiversity and climate change vulnerabilities, doing so by improving awareness, building capacity, piloting and testing innovative strategies and approaches, replicating and scaling up of proven technologies and ideas. To ensure sustainability of the Program’s successful interventions, work is currently underway on three fronts – knowledge management and integration of activities into annual work plans of the local governments, replication of learning, integration of critical initiatives into other projects by consortium partners, and advocating for incorporation of successful activities by the provincial and federal governments - as the Program nears its closing.

©WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program/Nabin Baral ©WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program/Nabin Baral

©WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program/Santosh Pudasaini

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW (FY 2017/18 - FY2019/20)Themes FY 2017-18 FY 2018-19 FY 2019-20 1. Wildlife 514,595,122 492,168,735 416,935,792

2. Forests 18,358,873 151,375,803 127,179,439

3. Climate and Energy 202,019,617 110,306,367 80,185,130

4. Freshwater 28,312,556 23,514,504 4,578,345

5. Governance 17,768,064 23,442,855 8,901,551

6. Others 16,603,529 21,290,607 14,963,876

7. Administrative Expenses (Levy) 57,872,699 41,331,131 22,247,450

Total Expenditure (1+2+3+4+5+6+7) 955,530,460 863,430,002 674,991,583

WWF Nepal’s Fiscal Year Ends on 30th June

Figures in NRs

FINANCIAL SUMMARY FY 2019/20


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSWWF Nepal acknowledges with gratitude the support received from the following partners, donors and supporters:

• Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Cooperative And Natural Resources; National Planning Commission; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Forests and Environment; Ministry of Agricultural and Livestock Development; Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizen; Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation; Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forests and Environment; Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration; Office of Attorney General; Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation; Department of Forests and Soil Conservation; Department of Plant Resources; Water and Energy Commission Secretariat; Department of Hydrology and Meteorology; Department of Water Resources and Irrigation; Nepal Tourism Board; Social Welfare Council; Alternative Energy Promotion Centre; Protected Areas; Divisional Forest Offices; Nepal Police, and Nepal Army.

• United States Agency for International Development (USAID); Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (MFA); Department for International Development (DFID); Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT); German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS); IUCN; KfW; Global Environment Facility (GEF); NDC Partnership, World Bank; Whiskas; Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation; The Coca Cola Foundation; Carlsberg Breweries A/S; Google Foundation; Intrepid Foundation; Hoffman La Roche; Sall Family Foundation; International Ranger Federation (IRF).

• WWF US; WWF UK; WWF Finland; WWF Germany; WWF Netherlands; WWF Singapore; WWF Belgium; WWF Canada; WWF Denmark; WWF Australia; WWF International; WWF Switzerland; Tigers Alive Initiative; River Dolphin Rivers Initiative

• CARE Nepal; National Trust for Nature Conservation; Zoological Society of London; Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal (FECOFUN); Lumbini Development Trust; International Water Management Institute; International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development; Biogas Sector Partnership Nepal; Society of Hydrology and Meteorology-Nepal; Family Planning Association of Nepal; Environmental Camps for Conservation Awareness; Youth Alliance for Environment; Nepal Forum for Environmental Journalists; Clean Energy Nepal; Kathmandu University; Tribhuvan University (TU); Conservation Development Foundation (CODEFUND); Institute for Social and Environment Transition (ISET); Nepal Institute of Forestry; Bird Conservation Nepal; Ethnobotanical Society of Nepal; Building and Wood Workers’ International Nepal Affiliate Committee (BWI NAC); SENSE Nepal; Wildlife Conservation Association Nepal (WILDCAN), Nepal Foresters Association (NFA); National Foundation for the Development of Indigenous Nationalities; Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities; Himalayan Grassroots Women’s Natural Resource Management Association (Himawanti) Nepal; Community-Based Forestry Supporters’ Network (COFSUN), Nepal; Nepal Red Cross Society; Abilis Foundation; NGO Federation of Nepal.

WWF Nepal also expressly acknowledges the support and role of provincial and local governments, buffer zones, communities and community-based organizations.

WILDLIFE416,935,792

OTHERS14,963,876

ADMINISTRATIVE 22,247,450

FOREST127,179,439

FRESHWATER4,578,345

GOVERNANCE 8,901,551

CLIMATE AND ENERGY80,185,130

Documents

NEPAL · 2021. 1. 5. · This past year, Nepal made history by satellite collaring two snow leopards in its Western Himalayan Landscape with vital support from local citizen scientists