Grants awarded in Nepal

USD 614,000 given out in grants to twelve NGOs working in eastern Nepal.

1. Grantee: Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN)
Project: Securing safe habitats for critically endangered vulture species
Amount: USD 35,000
Duration: 18 months (Nov 2009 – March 2011)

Following the successful setting up of community run vulture restaurants in Rupandehi and Dang districts of Nepal, this project aims to secure a safe environment for critically endangered vulture species by declaring diclofenac-free zones in the central and western lowlands of Nepal. The grant has been awarded to NGO Bird Conservation Nepal to work in 10 districts in Nepal’s Terai region.

Vulture populations have declined dramatically since the mid-90’s. Numbers of some species have decreased by over 90 per cent primarily due to the veterinary drug diclofenac which is fatal to the birds. Although the production of the drug is banned in India, Pakistan and Nepal, surveys show that diclofenac manufactured for human use is now being used for veterinary purposes in Nepal. There is a clear need to promote the alternative drug, Meloxicam, which is safe for vultures.

2. Grantee: The East Foundation (TEF)
Project: Community-initiated red panda conservation project in Sankhuwasabha district, eastern Nepal
Amount: USD 45,000
Duration: 15 months (Sept 2009 – Nov 2010)

The Sankhuwasabha district of Nepal has a number of forests that are managed by communities. However, operation plans of these forests do not always address conservation issues. The East Foundation’s earlier CEPF funded project focused on identifying threats to red pandas and on developing stakeholder consensus through a series of consultations.

This project envisions the development of a community-based scientific monitoring system for red pandas, the development of red panda conservation practice in community managed forests, and the strengthening of alternative measures, such as the conservation of medicinal and aromatic plants, and ecotourism that help improve local livelihoods while maintaining the natural ecosystem. The project has been designed to involve local partners and stakeholders at all stages.

3. Grantee: Shree Deep Jyoti Youth Club (DJYC)
Project: Conservation of key plant species and their habitat
Amount: USD 40,800
Duration: 2 years (2008-2010)

The project aims to conserve key plant species in the Kangchenjunga Singalila Complex through in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies. The project was developed based on the recommendations of the CEPF project implemented by the Ethnobotanical Society of Nepal (ESON).

Priority species – Aconitum spp., Nardostachys grandiflora, Neopricrorhiza scrophulariiflora, Michelia spp., and Taxus wallichiana will be conserved in their natural habitat, and Michelia spp., and Taxus wallichiana restocked in private and community forests. Commercial farming of Indian Gentian (Swertia chirata), a medicinal plant, on private land to support local livelihood will be encouraged. The project also will establish networks and build capacity of groups involved in the harvesting, trading and cultivation of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP).

4. Grantee: Kangchenjunga Landscape Concern Group (KCG)
Project: Establishment of community-based anti-poaching networks
Amount: USD 43,300
Duration: 2 years (2008-2010)

The project aims to involve community, civil society and government organizations in joint actions to address illegal activities pertaining to endangered flora and fauna in two major trade routes bordering India and China in the Kanchenjunga Singalila Complex in eastern Nepal.

Community-based networks will be established and a mechanism for effective partnership and coordination among stakeholders, to advocate and enforce laws against poaching and illegal trade, will be created. The project will also assess the effect of human-wildlife conflict and identify mitigation measures. Sensitization of local communities on existing rules and regulations related to biodiversity conservation is also part of the project.

5. Grantee: Red Panda Network (RPN)
Project: Local stewardship for conservation of the Red Panda
Amount: USD 60,900
Duration: 2 years (2008-2010)

The project aims to reduce key threats to the survival of red panda in the Kangchenjunga Singalila Complex through increased stewardship by community forest users. Red panda hotspots will first be identified through community consultations and scientific monitoring. A monitoring manual will be prepared and the monitoring capacity of community forest user groups will be strengthened. In the course of the project, land and resource use practices that reduce threats to habitat will be initiated. Eco-trips to community-managed red panda habitats will be started and a community vision for red panda conservation in the region developed.

6. Grantee: The East Foundation (TEF)
Project: A pre-community planning project for red panda conservation
Amount: USD 4000
Duration: 3 months (Oct 2008 - Dec 2008)

This is a planning grant to help identify major issues in red panda conservation in the Makalu Barun National Park and its buffer zone to design future actions. Information on red panda in the area will be gathered and planning workshops organized with the involvement of stakeholders. This is expected to lead to a larger project on red panda conservation.

7. Grantee: The Mountain Instituted (TMI)
Project: Promoting coordinated community-based landscape conservation in the trans-boundary region of the Kangchenjunga-Singalila Complex
Amount: USD 70,000
Duration: 1.5 years (October 2008-March 2010)

The project aims to strengthen cooperation between communities and district-level government bodies in the trans-boundary areas of Kangchenjunga-Singalila Complex to address the threats of habitat destruction and fragmentation to key habitats—broadleaf evergreen forests and alpine meadows. A mechanism for communication and coordination between district-level government administration and community groups in the transboundary area near Sikkim and West Bengal, India, will be established. In addition, the capacity of community groups to monitor and manage key habitats will be strengthened.

8. Grantee: Ilam Co-operation Council (ICC)
Project: Strengthening civil society on corridor management
Amount: USD 60,000
Duration: 2 years (2007-2009)

This project focuses on strengthening civil society participation in all stages of corridor management in selected sites in the Kangchenjunga Singalila Complex. The project also proposes to build community capacity on issues of access to and management of forest resources. The project aims to reduce threats to forests from encroachment, over grazing, unsustainable harvesting of forest resources.

9. Grantee: Namsaling Community Development Centre (NCDC)
Project: Livelihood Development
Amount: USD 80,000
Duration: 2 years (2007-2009)

This project focuses on reducing pressure on unsustainable use of forest resources through low-cost livelihood options that are conservation friendly. Activities will be implemented through the local institutions, such as community forest user groups, in coordination with local government bodies.

10. Grantee: Ethnobotanical Society of Nepal (ESON)
Project: Inventory of plant biodiversity and conservation strategies for threatened species and habitats
Amount: USD 35,000
Duration: 1 year (2007-2008)

The key focus of the project is to identify endemic or rare and threatened plant species’ habitats in the Kangchenjunga-Singalila ridge of eastern Nepal, an area with a rich plant biodiversity. The project also aims to develop strategies to conserve these sites through scientific and participatory community-based approaches. It will generate awareness among communities on sustainable harvesting of plants, and identify policy gaps in conservation.

11. Grantee: Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN)
Project: Developing civil society networks to conserve key avian biodiversity areas
Amount: USD 70,000
Duration: 2 years (2007 – 2009)

The project will catalyse the development of civil society networks that manage, monitor and mitigate threats to avian biodiversity conservation in the Kangchenjunga-Singhalila Complex. This will be achieved by piloting innovative, local and sustainable approaches in selected project sites within key biodiversity areas that have already been identified. These approaches will include establishment of local community conservation groups or Site Support Groups with access to micro-grants for grassroots conservation actions, such as demonstration models of natural-resource-use practices compatible with biodiversity conservation.

12. Grantee: Environmental Camps for Conservation Awareness (ECCA)
Project: Grassroots participation for biodiversity conservation
Amount: USD 70,000
Duration: 2 years (2007 – 2009)

The main focus of the project is to build partnerships among different stakeholders to incorporate biodiversity conservation perspectives in managing forests outside protected areas within the Kangchenjunga-Singhalila Complex. This would include advocacy with the government at the local and national level, raising awareness, and building capacity at the local level to plan and monitor biodiversity in key project sites.