Sustainable Livelihoods

When Nepal began wildlife conservation in 1973 with the establishment of Chitwan National Park, the emphasis was on species conservation and research. However, with growing park-people conflict, WWF worked together with Nepal Government and King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC) to design and establish the first community based conservation area. In 1986, the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) marked a watershed in Nepal's conservation drive. After the success of ACAP, the early practice of vigorous law enforcement in conservation gave way to a more conciliatory and cooperative approach. The lesson learned was that effective conservation was impossible without participatory involvement of the local people and addressing their livelihoods issues.

Integrating Sustainable Livelihoods Approach

The sustainable livelihoods approach addresses the omplexity of poverty and conservation linkages in a comprehensive way. The success of development activities has been influenced by different socio-cultural and political root causes like exclusion and vulnerability. These have always affected poor and advantaged people while accessing available natural resources. We explore issues like unsustainable harvesting practices of biodiersity resources and factors that limit people's participation in conservation activities.

We have recognized livelihood issues as a crucial factor in the sustainability of conservation. Our programs are designed with a focus on livelihoods issues interlinked with forest and other natural resources. Community participation in conservation and different community services is encouraged through income generation and capacity building opportunities.

Improving physical capital and construction activities are major contributors to conservation promotion. With community support, the KCAP, NMCP, SCAFP and TAL programs, bettered standards of living through community-owned buildings, child care centers, micro-hydro plants, solar energy, tourism, information centers, schoolbuilding renovation, foot trails, suspension bridges, traditional heath care centers and biogas plants. As a result, the community benefited in having better health and improved incomes that reduced the domestic work load. Such activities also increased community participation in conservation, which built the feeling of ownership.

In SCAFP and TAL, locals have established plant nurseries. The seedling sale contributes to user group funds and also supports growing plants specific to their needs and choices.

Reducing health risks and expenses on preventable common diseases among communities in NMCP is our other important achievement. The project works with Amchis, local traditional healers, which helps to respect local cultural sensitivities and promots community participation in their health care.

Our future priority remains in the increase of equitable influence and access of community people on existing resources. This practice will help maximize livelihood benefits with increasing understanding of conservation practices and its livelihoods linkages.