Component One: Instruments and capacities for biodiversity-sensitive landscape planning

This component lays the foundation for the project by strengthening policy formulation and land use planning capacities at provincial and local levels. The Constitution of Nepal has mandated each Province to prepare land policies in consultation with the Federal government. Local levels are required to prepare land use plans that provide the basis for integrating principles of sustainable land management, ecosystem restoration and biodiversity. This is supported by the Forest Act 2019 that has identified the need for effective coordination among three tiers of government and envisaged a coordination mechanism to achieve this.

Component 1 aligns with the constitutional mandates of provincial and local levels and relevant provisions of the Forest Act. Successful implementation of Component 1 will consolidate planning for community-based adaptive management, conservation and sustainable production, and ecosystem restoration interventions. A landscape policy for Province One will guide local level land use planning and provide a framework for the local level to adopt integrated land use and biodiversity conservation. This component draws on the experiences of the MoFE with implementing community-based forest and watershed management and landscape level approaches to biodiversity conservation and draws on the international principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration¹.

Section 7 of this project document provides details of how the project supports national priorities including biodiversity, sustainable forest management, sustainable land management and land degradation neutrality.

Component 1 is based on the following assumptions:

• Landscape policy and land use planning frameworks provide guidance to the Province, local levels and CFUGs in integrating biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration and sustainable land management in their plans and programmes. Such frameworks will help the province and local levels in biodiversity sensitive infrastructure development planning. The landscape policy and land use planning framework will help CFUGs when revising their operational plan.
• The Divisional Forest Office and Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Offices in the project area will support local levels in land use planning and adopt relevant recommendations.
• Mapping of biodiversity, land, and ecosystem degradation hotspots will provide important information to CFUGs enabling them to prescribe appropriate management interventions in their operational plans.
• Local levels will use landscape maps as a planning tool, and they will support the production of landscape maps, and training officials on land use planning, biodiversity monitoring and assessment of land degradation neutrality.
• Stakeholders are willing and able to engage in project implementation. Striving for equitable participation will be important, and regular communication will be key to mitigate the risk of lack of engagement of stakeholders (CFUGs and local levels).

Component One addresses the following barriers: Lack of information and knowledge in terms of critical ecosystems and biodiversity and Land Degradation hotspots; and weak capacity and capability to develop and implement land use plans and policies at provincial and local level.

Important project partners for this component include BCN, ICIMOD, WWF Nepal, and the Red Panda Network Nepal. At province level, the Planning Commission, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning, Forest Directorate, Forest Research and Training Centre, Divisional Forest Offices and Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Offices will be the main partners. Local levels and CFUGs will be the key partners at site level and FAO will provide technical assistance.

This project will collaborate with the following projects to implement Component One: Building a Resilient Churia Region in Nepal (BRCRN); Adaptation of Smallholder in Hilly Areas (ASHA); Forests for Prosperity; Catalyzing Ecosystem Restoration for Climate Resilient Natural Capital and Rural Livelihoods in Degraded Forests and Rangelands of Nepal; Developing Climate Resilient Livelihoods in the Vulnerable Watershed in Nepal; Improving Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Communities and Ecosystems in the Gandaki River Basin, Nepal; Kanchenjunga Landscape Conservation Development Initiatives (KLCDI); Hariyo Ban Programme II.

¹             Gann GD, McDonald T, Walder B, Aronson J, Nelson CR, Jonson J, Hallett JG, Eisenberg C, Guariguata MR, Liu J, Hua F, Echeverria C, Gonzales, EK, Shaw N, Decleer K, Dixon KW. 2019. International principles and standards for the practice of ecological restoration. Second edition. Restoration Ecology S1-S46)

Expected Outcome: Provincial and local stakeholders have increased capacities for adaptive and collaborative landscape planning and management to support biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.

There are five outputs under this component.

Output 1.1.: A policy and planning framework for landscape level biodiversity-sensitive land use and forest management implemented by Province One and 34 local levels, including LDN targets for Province One.

Project partners: MOITFE, Province planning commission, local levels.

Collaborating projects/programmes: KLCDI, BRCRN, Developing Climate Resilient Livelihoods in the Vulnerable Watershed in Nepal, ASHA.

Target: A landscape policy and planning framework developed and implemented by Province One and 34 landscape policy and planning frameworks developed and implemented by local levels in the project area (covering at least 357 500 ha) by the end of 2025.

Activities include:

Using participatory approaches, assess how policy and planning frameworks can contribute to landscape level biodiversity-sensitive land use and forest management at provincial and local levels.

• • Select and train staff from partner organizations and government agencies in the planning approaches to be used by the project.
  • Organize workshops on provincial and local policy and planning frameworks for biodiversity and sustainable land management (focused on local level and provincial level officials involved in land use planning and forest management) including the issues of LDN and national SLM and LDN targets.
  • Support MOITFE in the development of policy and planning frameworks.

Indicators: A landscape policy and planning framework developed and implemented by Province One and 34 landscape policy and planning frameworks developed and implemented by local levels.

Means of verification: minutes and/or reports of consultative meetings with stakeholders, documentation describing the policy and planning framework (identifying clear references to SFM, SLM and LDN), reports on implementation status of policy and planning framework in Province and 34 local levels.

Output 1.2: Province, forestry/wildlife staff and 34 local levels have capacities, mechanisms and instruments to sustainably coordinate and support biodiversity conservation and SLM (i.e., via land use planning and community forestry).

Project partners: Local levels, BCN, RPN, Province Forest Directorate, Province FRTC, DFO, SCWMO.

Collaborating projects/programmes: BRCRN, Catalyzing Ecosystem Restoration for Climate Resilient Natural Capital and Rural Livelihoods in Degraded Forests and Rangelands of Nepal, KLCDI.

Target: One Province, five (Sub-) Divisional Forest Offices and 34 local levels with adequately trained staff, capacities, mechanisms, and instruments to sustainably coordinate and support biodiversity conservation.

Activities include:

• • Identify and develop the capacity of local resource persons (LRP) to provide technical support to CFUGs to prepare/revise CF operational plans.
  • Train local level, DFO staff, local conservation groups and forest users in sustainable forest management, land management, and biodiversity monitoring.
  • Support local level annual planning processes to enable integration of biodiversity, SLM, forest management and ecosystem restoration in annual plans which leads to budget allocation for these sectors.
  • Support establishment and operationalization of a multi-stakeholder coordination platform at MoITFE.
  • Support establishment of local stakeholder coordination mechanisms in 34 levels.

Indicators: Number of officials (MoITFE, Directorate, Divisions, Sub-divisions, Soil and Watershed Management Office, GESI focal persons) at province level trained in biodiversity conservation and sustainable land management,

Number of officials at local level trained in land use planning, Number of stakeholder networks established/strengthened and operational at provincial and local level

Means of verification: participant lists and or reports of workshops and training, documentation of support mechanism/modality, including list of stakeholders engaged.

Output 1.3: 200 priority CFUGs selected for biodiversity conservation on the basis of rapid local-level assessments, trained and conducting participatory assessment, monitoring and evaluation of biodiversity (PAMEB)

Project partners: FECOFUN, CFUGs, BCN. Collaborating projects/programmes: KLCDI.

Target: 200 priority CFUGs conducting biodiversity monitoring using PAMEB. Activities include:

• • Develop and familiarize CFUGs and local levels with PAMEB process and methods.
  • Develop, test, and distribute software applications for efficient field data collection and transfer to the database.
  • Develop/adapt tools and materials relevant to local context.
  • Update methodology to include LDN links and link monitoring methodology to LDN indicators in KMIS so that data from PAMEB can be used to report on LDN.
  • Conduct field-testing and piloting of PAMEB.
  • Enhance local level capacity to roll out PAMEB in CFUGs.
  • Train CFUGs and local levels in PAMEB process and methods.
  • Disseminate PAMEB related information to stakeholders at national, provincial, local and community levels.
  • Support CFUG in information/data quality control and data analysis.
  • Strengthen institutional capacity of local level including sharing (IT) infrastructure.

Indicators: Number of CFUG members trained in and using monitoring and evaluation (biodiversity conservation and land degradation neutrality).

Means of verification: Training reports (including data on the number of CFUG members, trained disaggregated by gender and social group) of 200 local capacity development activities including participant lists.

Output 1.4: 34 local landscape maps (covering 3 575 km2) of critical ecosystems and biodiversity and LD hotspots locations produced through participatory processes with at least 500 CFUGs and other leasehold forest user groups (LFUGs)/CBOs.

Project partners: Local levels, DFO, SCWMO, FECOFUN, CFUGs, RPN.

Collaborating projects/programmes: KLCDI, Improving Climate Resilience of Vulnerable Communities and Ecosystems in the Gandaki River Basin, BRCRN.

Target: 34 local level landscape and land use maps produced (3 575 km²). Activities include:

• • Build the capacity of local level to produce landscape and land use maps including infrastructure.
  • Develop tools for integrating landscape and biodiversity-related information in land use mapping and planning.
  • Support local level to integrate biodiversity in land use mapping.
  • Identify and map the threats to biodiversity (species, habitats, corridors) including threats posed by poorly planned infrastructure.
  • Identify critical ecosystems, land degradation and biodiversity hot spots across local levels and prepare maps in collaboration with local levels.
  • Organize local level coordination and experience exchange meetings/workshops.
  • Prepare maps, data and decision support information packages in Nepali language and upload in the KMIS.
  • Widely disseminate maps and relevant information among concerned stakeholders.

Indicators: Number of local level landscape maps produced showing critical ecosystem, biodiversity and land degradation hotspots.

Means of verification: Assessment reports and maps produced for 34 municipalities, documentation of participatory process including those involved disaggregated by gender, ethnicity, and local levels.

Output 1.5: Development and land use plans (LUP) of 34 local levels (3 575 km2, 496 689 people), and operational plans for 320 CFUGs and other 340 LFUG/CBOs adequately integrate restoration, land use and biodiversity conservation priorities.

Project partners: Local levels, DFO, SCWMO, FECOFUN, CFUGs, RPN. Collaborating projects/programmes: KLCDI, ASHA, Forestry for Prosperity.

Target: Land use and biodiversity conservation priorities are integrated into the plans of 34 local levels, 320 CFUGs and 340 other LFUGs/CBOs.

Activities include:

Organize consultative meetings with stakeholders.

• • Develop/adapt tools (i.e., decision trees) and resource and communication materials to facilitate biodiversity- sensitive local level land use planning process based on the existing guidelines.
  • Support local levels in preparing land use plans.
  • Train local level officials in sustainable management of forest, land, and biodiversity.
  • Support, orient and facilitate incorporation of biodiversity conservation and sustainable land use elements in CF, leasehold forest, and CBO operational plans.
  • Strengthen the networks between CFUGs and the local levels.

Indicators: Number of Local levels with development and land use plans that integrate land use and biodiversity conservation priorities, Number of CFUG operational plans (OPs) that integrate biodiversity conservation and SLM, Number of LFUGs/CBOs with plans that integrate biodiversity conservation and SLM.

Means of verification: Development and land use plans of 34 local level, revised community forest operation plans and revised leasehold forest/CBOs plan.

Component 2: Knowledge management, monitoring and adaptive management.

This component focuses on building the capacity of targeted stakeholders at Federal, Province, local levels and CFUGs to generate and share knowledge for improved land use and biodiversity conservation planning,

Land use planning is an important function of the local level, but access to information, data and knowledge is a key constraint. Component 2 supports creating and operationalizing a knowledge management information system (KMIS) with a focus on biodiversity, forest, LDN and land management. The KMIS will be hosted by a provincial agency that can provide access to local levels for land use planning and management.

Under this component, the federal level forest information management system will be established/upgraded and linked to the provincial KMIS. This will facilitate planning and adaptive management of biodiversity, forest, and land resources. Local levels will be linked through the KMIS to Divisional Forest Offices (DFOs). The DFOs serve as the bridge between local and provincial level.

Improved access to data, maps and information will enhance capacity of CFUGs to integrate biodiversity considerations into their operational plans and monitoring.

Staff at federal, provincial, and local level will be trained in data generation, storage, handling, and retrieval and a data sharing protocol will be developed.

This component complements Component 1 and provides a basis for the implementation of community-based conservation and sustainable production, management, and restoration practices.

Component 2 is based on the following assumptions:

• • The KMIS will support local level land use plan preparation in a timely manner. Data and information available in the KMIS will encourage other stakeholders to apply improved sectoral planning.

• • The operational forest management information system (MoFE), and forest information system (FRTC) will be linked to the KMIS (MoITFE) and thereby enable forest agencies to exchange data and apply up to date information in planning, enhancing the quality and reliability of these plans. The system will offer an opportunity for CFUGs and relevant conservation organizations to access knowledge products for preparation and revision of plans, including for LDN target tracking and reporting.
  • Institutions created, human resources trained, and mechanisms established strengthen biodiversity-sensitive landscape planning and pave the way for wider application beyond project area.
  • Stakeholders are willing to collect and share data and increased availability of data translates to improved management decisions.

Component Two addresses the following barrier: Lack of information and knowledge in terms of weak capacity to create, store and share data and knowledge on critical ecosystems and biodiversity as well as land degradation from local to national levels.

Key project partners for this component are MoFE and FRTC at federal level, MoITFE, FRTC and Forest Directorate at Province level, local levels and CFUGs.

For the implementation of component 2, the project will collaborate with the following projects:

• • Ecosystem-Based Adaptation for Climate-resilient Development in the Kathmandu Valley.
  • Integrated Landscape Management to Secure Nepal’s Protected Areas and Critical Corridors.
  • Developing Climate Resilient Livelihoods in the Vulnerable Watershed in Nepal.

Expected Outcome: Local, provincial and national stakeholders have access to information needed for forest management, land use and biodiversity conservation planning, management, and implementation.

Output 2.1: Nepal National Forest research and training centre (FRTC) Forestry Information System (FIS) upgraded and linked to the knowledge management information system (KMIS) portal where CFUG, local, Province, and MoFE can share and access biodiversity and CFM data.

Project partners: MoFE, FTRC, MoITFE.

Collaborating projects/programmes: Integrated Landscape Management to Secure Nepal’s Protected Areas and

Critical Corridors, Developing Climate Resilient Livelihoods in the Vulnerable Watershed in Nepal.

Target: The Forestry Information System (FIS) upgraded and the Forest Management Information System-FMIS at MoFE established and linked to the knowledge and adaptive management support (KMIS) portal.

Activities include:

Design and establishment of KMIS infrastructure, hosting, access management, sharing protocols, including for information generated through PAMEB under Component 1.

• • Document the KMIS including development of a user manual.
  • Strengthen province level forest directorate for retrieving, processing, and sharing of data with the national hub.
  • Build capacity of KMIS/FMIS section/people in operation of the system.
  • Support the provincial forest directorate and MoFE in the operation of the KMIS (linking with each other). Indicators: FIS (FRTC) upgraded, FMIS (MoFE) established, linked to KMIS portal and operational.

Means of verification: FRTC/MoFE reports, MoITFE reports, KMIS portal, documentation of KMIS, workshop reports/minutes and decision points.

Output 2.2: Mechanism for the systematic creation and sharing of Provincial KMIS linked to national database, developed, and operational.

Project partners: MoITFE.

Collaborating projects/programmes: Integrated Landscape Management to Secure Nepal’s Protected Areas and

Critical Corridors, Developing Climate Resilient Livelihoods in the Vulnerable Watershed in Nepal.

Target: The KMIS is developed for Province One on globally important biodiversity and SLM as well as LDN related issues and linked to national database. The database will be housed in Province One’s Forest Research and Training Center and will be linked to the national center at the Ministry of Forests and Environment. Both these agencies will ensure upkeep and updating of the database.

The KMIS will be useful for local, Provincial, and national level planners to implement land use plans, undertake EIA for development projects and report to international conventions including UNCCD and UNFCCC. The database will help to monitor the environmental status of the Province and identify biodiversity and LD hotspots. The database will provide locations and activities of all relevant projects, enabling better coordination and cooperation.

Activities include:

Negotiate an agreement with all linked agencies, networks, Information systems.

• • Test the KMIS.
  • Design and develop an extension program to share the KMIS information for wider learning/implementation.
  • Organize multi-stakeholder workshops on the purpose and design of KMIS and information sharing protocols.
  • Prepare operational guidelines and data sharing protocol for KMIS.

Indicators: A section/unit is established for KMIS and functional at MoITFE, Provincial KMIS is linked to FIS(FRTC)/FMIS (MoFE).

Means of verification: Records of FIS/FMIS and KMIS functioning, copies of agreements signed.

Output 2.3: 200 CFUGs, 34 local levels, Province and MoFE trained, coached, and monitored in KMIS operation and use.

Project partners: MoFE, MoITFE, FRTC (federal and provincial), Province Forest Directorate, local levels.

Collaborating projects/programmes: Ecosystem-Based Adaptation for Climate-resilient Development in the Kathmandu Valley, Developing Climate Resilient Livelihoods in the Vulnerable Watershed in Nepal

Co-financing agencies: MoFE, MoITFE.

Target: 200 CFUGs, 34 Local levels, Province and MoFE are using the KMIS. Activities include:

• • Establish mechanisms for continuous user coaching and support.
  • Rollout the KMIS across the project area.
  • Support dissemination of analyzed information at various levels, e.g., through schools, weekly markets.
  • Train government officials (including land use planning officers at province and district levels), conservation NGOs, FECOFUN, BCN, local levels and CFUGs on KMIS.

Indicators: Number of personnel (from CFUGs, local level, Province and MoFE) trained/ coached on FIS/KMIS operation and maintenance.

Means of verification: Training/capacity development and institutional support reports (disaggregated data by training themes, gender, social group), copies of communication materials and KMIS usage statistics.

Component 3: Implementation of community-based conservation and sustainable production, management, and restoration practices.

This component focuses on building the capacity of targeted local stakeholders at CFUG and household levels to apply community-based conservation and sustainable production, management and restoration practices for biodiversity and local livelihoods.

Under this component, local levels will be supported to implement biodiversity sensitive land use plans prepared under Component 1. CFUGs and target households will have their capacity developed to adopt sustainable approaches to natural resource management that contribute to biodiversity conservation at landscape level.

The project will support community based anti-poaching and forest fire control efforts aimed at reducing risks to threatened species and minimizing damage caused by fire to forests and soil organic matter. Networks of community groups and NGOs already engaged in this initiative will be strengthened. These improvements will indirectly help control invasive species.

The project will support biodiversity and climate friendly product and service-based value chain promotion to enhance livelihood opportunities of poorer sections of the community, women and marginalized groups. Support will be provided to CFUGs, private sector and other stakeholders to strengthen identified value chains through networking, business promotion and capacity enhancement.

Component 3 is based on the following assumptions:

• • Sustainable management of forest, land and ecosystem restoration practices by CFUG and households will contribute to biodiversity conservation, livelihood improvement and enhanced production. This helps to create a conducive environment for value chain promotion of viable products. Existing value chains for spices, NTFPs, vegetables and dairy products in the project area can be developed.
  • Support for the enhancement of value chains through networking, coordination and addressing bottlenecks will help enterprise development and facilitate local level investment in pro-poor community-based enterprises.
  • Support for creating and strengthening anti-poaching and forest fire control initiatives will help consolidate community-based approaches to ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation.
  • Conservation friendly livelihood activities initiated will benefit those directly engaged.
  • Willingness and availability of time for stakeholders to engage in activities, and that the identified value chains and markets are sustainable and profitable.

Component Three addresses the following barriers: Lack of information and knowledge in terms of the need for better silviculture and forest management. the processing of forest products and adding value, and the opportunities to improve biodiversity conservation and livelihoods through community forestry, agroforestry, and improved farm management. It addresses weak capacity to address emerging issues, participate meaningfully in forest use and management decisions, and generate livelihoods and reduce poverty through the sustainable use of biodiversity through sustainable value chains and markets. Lastly it tackles insufficient access to finance and investment by linking people to sustainable markets and promoting pro-poor biodiversity enhancing livelihood opportunities.

This component builds on existing value chains (NTFP, spices, livestock products, ecotourism) in the project area.

Key projects partners for this component include, FNCCI (districts chambers), ANSAB (expert support), CFUGs, the cottage and small industry office and MoITFE.

For the implementation of this component, the project will collaborate with the following: Rural Enterprises and Remittances Project; Forests for Prosperity Project; Building a Resilient Churia Region in Nepal; Enhancing Livelihoods from Improved Forest Management in Nepal; Hariyo Ban Programme II; Pilot Project for Establishment of Dissemination Model of High Quality Mitsumata (Argeli) production in Nepal; Forest Farm Facility Phase II - Initiative for Climate Resilient Landscapes and Improved Livelihoods; Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project; Micro-Enterprise Development Program for Poverty Alleviation; National Forest Development and Management Programme; Community and Leasehold Forestry Development Programme; Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) Development Programme; and Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Programme.

Expected Outcome: Local stakeholders apply community-based conservation and sustainable production, management and restoration practices for biodiversity and local livelihoods.

Output 3.1: 34 local levels (3 575 km²) implement land use interventions that strengthen biodiversity conservation and avoid interventions that negatively affect biodiversity.

Within this output it is anticipated that at least 11 percent of the project area (31 000 ha. of community forest (involving an estimated 405 CFUGs) and 10 000 ha. of government managed forest) is brought under improved management that strengthens biodiversity conservation.

It is also assumed that improved planning and actions under Output 3.2 and 3.3 will help avoid the loss of high conservation value forest.

Project partners: Local levels.

Collaborating projects/programmes: Forests for Prosperity Project, BRCRN. Target: 34 Local levels implementing biodiversity-sensitive land use interventions. Activities include:

• • Conduct consultative meetings with stakeholders on sustainable land use interventions.
  • Strengthen the capacity of local levels, particularly committees or sub-committees responsible for forest, environment, and biodiversity.
  • Establish tools and guiding frameworks for sustainable forest resource management.
  • Support learning exchange activities between and among local levels.
  • Strengthen the decision-making process of local levels in forest, biodiversity and land management Support local levels to develop land use plan-based tools and advice packages for planners, officials, enterprises, CFUGs and other LFUGs/CBOs and individual households.

Indicators: Number of local levels implementing land use interventions that strengthen biodiversity conservation and avoid interventions that negatively affect biodiversity, percentage of project area applying interventions that strengthen biodiversity conservation (out of total area of 357 500 ha).

Means of verification: Capacity development and knowledge exchange event reports from 34 local levels.

Output 3.2: 300 CFUGs and 340 other LFUGs/CBOs and 30 000 households implement forest, livestock, agriculture and other livelihoods support practices that strengthen biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of forest landscapes.

Project partners: MoITFE, CFUGs, the cottage and small industry office.

Collaborating projects/programmes: Enhancing Livelihoods from Improved Forest Management in Nepal, Forest Farm Facility Phase II - Initiative for Climate Resilient Landscapes and Improved Livelihoods, Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project, Community and Leasehold Forestry Development Programme, Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) Development Programme, Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Programme.

Target: 34 Local levels implementing biodiversity-sensitive land use interventions. Activities include:

• • Build capacity of CFUGs, LFUGs/CBOs and farmers through training and workshops on bio-diversity sensitive land use intervention.
  • Support CFUGs and other LFUGs/CBOs in translating land use planning results into community forest operations.
  • Train and coach farmers in biodiversity-sensitive farming.
  • Assist CFUGs and other LFUGs/CBOs in planning and implementing restoration activities.
  • Support and strengthen CFUG internal monitoring and governance system.
  • Support CFUG members and farmers in implementing agro-forestry, soil conservation, stall feeding, conservation farming, soil moisture retention activities, and water source protection measures.

Indicators: Number of CFUG/LFUGs/CBOs implementing biodiversity friendly NRM based livelihood practices, Percentage of project area implementing forest, livestock, agriculture and other livelihoods practices that strengthen biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of forest landscapes (total area 3 575 km2), Number of people benefitting from community-based conservation and sustainable production.

Means of verification: Land use plan implementation reports, Project progress reports (disaggregated by marginalized groups, women, dalits, and janajati) and minutes/reports/participant lists of capacity development training, land area reported to be under new practices, reporting against LDN targets, copy of the guiding framework.

Output 3.3: At least ten (10) community-based anti-poaching and fire control networks established to protect ecosystem services and conserve globally threatened species such as the Red Panda and highly exploited floral species.

Project partners: CFUGs, LFUGs/CBOs, DFO.

Collaborating projects/programmes: National Forest Development and Management Programme, Community and Leasehold Forestry Development Programme.

Target: At least 10 community-based anti-poaching and fire control networks operating.

The project builds on local interests to support anti-poaching and fire control networks. Whilst slash and burn (Khorea) has been traditionally practiced in this area at an interval of 3-5 years, it is being reduced. The increase in the area and density of forests, coupled with declining forest management as a result of demographic change, has meant that forests are more susceptible to fire than in the past. The government and local communities are already working on forest fire and poaching control through networks. The project support to these networks will further strengthen community efforts to build synergy and sustainability.

The fire control networks will aim to reduce the incidence of harmful fires through awareness raising and education as well as the control of unwanted fires. Forest fires have been increasing with the increase in forest area.

The project will support anti-poaching work by local communities in some identified hotspots, such as near protected areas. Anti-poaching units run by local communities will help reduce threats to several globally threatened species such as Cheer Pheasant (Catreus wallichii) (VU); Hog Deer (Axis porcinus) (Endangered EN); Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) (EN); Critically Endangered (CE) Chinese Pangolin (Manis pentadactyla). In addition, they help ensure that and highly exploited floral species, such as Taxus wallichiana, Juglans regia, Rubia Majith, Swertia chirata, Danphe bholuwa are conserved. Many high value forests are impacted by fire seasonally.

Indicative activities:

• • Build the capacity of community based anti-poaching and forest fire control networks through information and warning systems.
  • Undertake needs assessments.
  • Raise awareness on control of poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and forest fire through creation of communication materials and local meetings as needed.
  • Strengthen user networks on anti-poaching and forest fire control.
  • Strengthen the coordination mechanisms on anti-poaching and forest fire control.

Indicators: Number of community-based anti-poaching (CBAP) networks established, strengthened and operational, Number of community-based firefighting (CBFF) networks established, strengthened and operational, Number and area of forest fires.

Means of verification: CBAP records, Project progress reports, CBFF records, DFO records, Value chain reports.

Output 3.4: Ten (10) pro-poor biodiversity enhancing livelihood opportunities identified and developed through value chain assessments, establishment of value chain coordination networks, and strengthening of key business services (e.g., traders, collection centers, processors, technicians, input suppliers).

Project partners: FNCCI, ANSAB, CFUGs, the cottage and small industry office, DFO.

Collaborating projects/programmes: Rural Enterprises and Remittances Project, Pilot Project for Establishment of Dissemination Model of High Quality Mitsumata (Argeli) production in Nepal, Prime Minister Agriculture Modernization Project, Community and Leasehold Forestry Development Programme, Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) Development Programme.

Target: 10 pro-poor biodiversity enhancing livelihood opportunities developed, focusing on pro-poor and women’s

empowerment.

In many communities, people are migrating to cities or abroad, with agricultural lands often being left fallow. This leads to land degradation through a lack of maintenance of terraces or infestation of weeds and other invasive plants. It should be noted that no study of land use change has been undertaken for this area. The project includes the requirement for a baseline update in the first year of project implementation.

By developing mechanisms for poorer households (including women, who are often left behind in villages) to lease and benefit from sustainable use of unused and underutilized land there is an opportunity to improve food security and livelihoods.