Government of Nepal

A Report on

Project Launching of STRENGTHENING REGIONAL COOPERATION FOR WILDLIFE 

PROTECTION IN ASIA PROJECT   

4th November 2011, Kathmandu

Prepared by:

Project Coordination Unit

National Trust for Nature Conservation

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 STRENGTHENING REGIONAL COOPERATION FOR WILDLIFE 

PROTECTION IN ASIA PROJECT    

Introduction Geographically, the inter-connectedness of habitats and ecosystems between the countries in the region is well known – Nepal and India in the Tarai region; India and Bangladesh in the Sundarbans; and Bhutan and India in the Eastern Himalayas. The large mammals and flagship species are not confined according to administrative and national boundaries. Furthermore, population and development pressures are threatening the connectivity and integrity of wildlife corridors and linkages between PAs. Wildlife management and habitat conservation efforts undertaken in countries sharing ecological boundaries, including patrolling or interdiction of illegal activity and anti-poaching/trafficking operations need to be coordinated among countries to ensure that no actions in one country are detrimental to its neighbors. With the aim to stabilize and if possible increase the population and habitats of critically endangered animals in South Asia, ‘Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Wildlife Protection in Asia Project’ has been designed. Since wildlife and habitats cross administrative boundaries and because knowledge and capacity vary widely across and within countries, a regional approach is needed to address cross-border issues, build synergies, share skills, knowledge and experiences and build regional collaboration for the conservation of critical habitats and ecosystems. The higher level objective of this project is to reduce illegal wildlife trade, address other regional threats and so enhance in situ conservation outcomes. The project development objective (PDO) is to assist the participating governments to build or enhance shared capacity, institutions, knowledge and incentives to jointly tackle illegal wildlife trade and other select regional conservation threats. The project will focus on a selected set of country-specific initiatives, as well as key mutually agreed regional activities that are crucial to meeting the regional strategic goals. The project is financed by the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group. This Regional Wildlife Protection project under the IDA Finance and ‘Strengthening Institutional Capacity of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) for effective management of mountain protected areas‘ finance under the

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Institutional Development Fund (IDF) of International Bank for Reconstruction and Development of the World Bank Group were officially launched by Hon. Minister for Forests and Soil Conservation Mr. Md. Wakil Musalman on November 4, 2011 in a special event held at the Hotel Radisson, Kathmandu. The launching programme was organized by the Government of Nepal - Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MoFSC) together with National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and the World Bank. The Secretary of Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, the Secretary of National Planning Commission, the Director Generals under the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation and other senior officers from the Ministry were among the participants of the programme. Similarly, representatives from different non-governmental organizations, journalists and professors from different academic institutions such as Kathmandu University, Tribhuvan Universtiy and Pokhara University also participated in the programme. The Launching programme started at 10 Hours in Radisson Hotel with the formal welcome speech of Mr. Juddha Bahadur Gurung, Member Secretary of NTNC. He acknowledged the role of Ms Stephanie and other governmental officials in materializing the project. Likewise, Director General of Forests, Mr. Braj Kishor Yadav shared his experience in wildlife protection at different capacities under the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation. He hoped that this project will be one of the important milestones in wildlife conservation in Nepal. Mr. Andrey Kushlin from Global Tiger Initiatives (GTI), the World Bank presented general scenario and other initiatives taken by GTI. He also shared some of the facts and figures related to the 13 tiger range countries (TRCs). Mr. Sumith Pilapitiya, Task Team Leader from the World Bank expressed his great excitement on high level commitment for the successful implementation of the project. He said that now Nepal and Bangladesh are two participating countries in the Regional Wildlife Conservation Project in South Asia. He also assured that Bhutan, Sri Lanka and India are also paying interest in regional collaboration. Mr. Yub Raj Bhusal, Secretary, National Planning Commission said that Nepal organized the Tiger Workshop in Kathmandu in 2009 and was ended with the commitment of doubling the tiger population in 13 TRCs. He also hoped that this project would have great implications in meeting our commitment. The chief guest of the programme Hon. Mr. Md. Wakil Musalman, Minister, MoFSC said that tiger alone cannot be conserved until and unless we conserve their habitat. He further emphasized that the conservation of the wildlife habitat mainly the forest resources is the prime need of the present time. Speaking from the Chair of the launching session, Mr. Keshab Prasad Bhattrai, Secretary, MoFSC, thanked all the participants for their support in making the programme successful. He also anticipated their support during the project implementation period.

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Technical Session After completing the formal launching programme, the technical session started at 11.15 Hours in the same venue. Dr. Siddhartha B. Bajracharya, Executive Officer of NTNC presented the overview and glimpses of ‘Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Wildlife Protection in Asia project’ and ‘Strengthening Institutional Capacity of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) for effective management of mountain protected areas’. Dr. Bajracharya started his presentation bu highlighting the government's commitments and efforts made in expansion of protected areas and other conservation activities. He also summarized the ongoing activities, achievements and gaps regarding wildlife conservation in Nepal. Further, he gave the detail figure breakdown along with the different components of the project. The total project grant for Nepal is US$ 3 million for five years. The floor was opened for discussion after completing Dr. Bajracharya’s presentation. Different professionals raised their concerns and queries in the discussion session. Prof. Santosh Rayamaji from Institute of Forest said that his institution is ready to collaborate and support for the effective implementation of the project. Mr. Kiran Baral from the World Bank raised his concern on the increased land area while expanding the protected areas in Nepal. Similarly, Dr. Y. B. Malla from IUCN Nepal, Prof. T.B. Shrestha from Central Department of Zoology, TU, Mr. Ek Rana from ICIMOD and Prof. Ranjana Gupta from Central Department of Zoology raised their concerns and queries in the session. Mr. Pilapitiya together with Dr. Bajracharya and Mr. Kushlin responded to these questions and concerns.

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Annex‐1  

List of Participants  Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation Mr. Keshav P. Bhattarai, Secretary Mr. Ram P. Lamsal, Joint Secretary Mr. Harihar Sigdel, CPO Mr. G. R. Upadhyay, Chief  National Planning Commission Mr. Yuba Raj Bhusal, Member Secretary Mr. Bhaba Krishna Bhattarai, Joint Secretary  Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Mr. Krishna P. Acharya, Director General Mr. S. K. Shah   Department of Forests Mr. Braj Kishor Yadav, Director General Mr. Yam B. Thapa, Deputy Director General Mr. Hem Aryal, Program Officer  National Trust for Nature Conservation Mr. Juddha B. Gurung, Member Secretary Dr. Siddhartha B. Bajracharya, Executive Officer Mr. J. R. Onta, Finance Director Mr. Keshab Raj Khanal, Conservation Officer, MCAP Mr. Devendra Thapa, Information Officer, ACAP Mr. Ganga J. Thapa, EO Mr. Achut Raj Pant, Account Officer Mr. Rabin Kadariya, Incharge (BCP) Mr. Ram Chandra Nepal, Project Manager Mr. Satya Narayan Shah, Project Chief (GCAP) Mr. Madhu Chhetri, Project Chief (MCAP) Mr. Sharad Adhikary, Program Officer Mr. Hemanta K. Yadav, Office Chief (SCP) Mr. Deepak K. Singh, Director Mr. L. P. Gurung, Director (ACAP) Mr. Naresh Subedi, Project Chief (BCC) Mr. Binod Basnet. SPO Mr. Bidur P Pokharel, AO Mr. Shanta Bdr. Shrestha, AO  Tribhuwan University Mr. Tej Kumar Shrestha, Professor Dr. Ishan Gautam, Lecturer, Natural History Museum Dr. Usha Budhathoki, Professor Professor Dr. R. Gupta, Head, Central Department of Zoology Mr. Ramesh Prasad Sapkota, Lecturer  Kathmandu University Mr. Bishal K.C., Student Ms. Bijaya Chapagain, Student Mr. Niranjan Phuyal, Student 

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The Rising Nepal Ms. Pragya Nepal, Reporter  ICIMOD Mr. Eak Rana, Project Coordinator  NEFEJ Mr. Laxman Uprety, President  ABC Television Mr. Kishor Poudel, Reporter Mr. J.P. Shrestha, Camera  Rajdhani Mr. Sabin Sharma, Reporter  Rapid Nepal Mr. Bipramani Acharya, Reporter  Avenues T.V. Mr. Basu Dev Satyal, Reporter  Embassy of India Mr. R. K. Mishra, FS (Eco)  WWF Mr. Shant R. Jnawali, Coordinator (Hariyo Ban) Mr. Ghana S. Gurung, CPD Mr. Diwakar Chapagain, Coordinator  IUCN Nepal Mr. Yam Malla, Country Representative   Nepal Army Mr. Raj Rana, B. General  Mountain TV Mr. Sugya Bhandari, Reporter  RAN Mr. Shree Krishna Neupane, Vice President  Nepal Television Mr. Subarna   

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Annex-2

GOVERNMENT OF NEPAL LAUNCHING PROGRAMME OF  

STRENGTHENING REGIONAL COOPERATION FOR WILDLIFE 

PROTECTION IN ASIA PROJECT   FRIDAY, 4TH

 NOVEMBER 2011 (18 KARTIK 2068), HOTEL RADISSON, LAZIMPAT, KATHMANDU PROJECT LAUNCHING SESSION 

09:45 – 10:00 Hours  Arrival  of the Distinguished Guests 09:55 – 10:00 Hours Arrival of the Chief Guest Hon. Minister Mr. Md. Wakil Musalman, 

Ministry  of  Forests  and  Soil  Conservation,  and  Chairman, National Trust for Nature Conservation  

10:00 – 10:05 Hours  Chairperson:  Mr.  Keshab  Prasad  Bhattarai,  Secretary, Ministry  of Forests and Soil Conservation  Chief Guest: Hon. Minister Mr. Md. Wakil Musalman Guest:  Mr.  Yuba  Raj  Bhusal,  Secretary,  National  Planning Commission 

10:05 – 10:10 Hours  Welcome Remarks by Mr. Juddha B Gurung, Member Secretary, NTNC 

10:10 – 10:15 Hours  Deliberation on importance  of regional collaboration by Mr. Braj Kishor Yadav, Director General, Department of Forests 

10:15 –10:20 Hours Launching of the Project by lighting the Panas by the Chief Guest Hon. Minister Mr. Md. Wakil Musalman 

10:20 – 10:25 Hours  Deliberation on the Regional IDA Project by Mr. Sumith Pilapitiya, Task Team Leader, the World Bank

10:25 – 10:30 Hours  Deliberation on GTI and how it could complement the activities of the regional wildlife project by Mr. Andrey Khuslin, the World Bank

10:30 –10:40 Hours  Remarks by Mr. Yuba Raj Bhusal, Secretary, National Planning Commission

10:40 –10:50 Hours  Special  Remarks by the Chief Guest Hon. Minister Mr. Md. Wakil Musalman 

10:50 – 11:00 Hours  Closing Remarks by Mr. Keshab Prasad Bhattarai, Secretary, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation 

11:00 – 11:30 Hours  Tea Break and Departure of the Chief Guest TECHNICAL SESSION

11:30 – 12:00 Hours  Highlights on the Project by Dr. Siddhartha B. Bajracharya, Executive Officer,National Trust for Nature Conservation. Presentation based on‐ 

• Technical Aspects • Operational, Financial Management and Procurement Aspects

12:00 – 13:00 Hours  Questions and Answers 13:00 Hours onwards Lunch 

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Annex-3

Presentation on

Government of Nepal Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Wildlife

Protection in Asia

(BY DR. SIDDHARTHA BAJRA BAJRACHARYA) 

Protected Areas of Nepal

Expansion of Protected Areas coverage

Recently, Nepal increased the PA coverage

by 5000 sq. km.

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1970 1980 1990 2000

Species conservation

Landscape conservation

Protection

Integrated conservation & development

Participatory

Paradigm shift conservation approaches PAs Development Process

Poaching is a huge problem in Nepal and India

Remains a threat to populations in BhutanLimited information on trade routes and final markets

Photo: Samir Sinha

Nevertheless, Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade  A Major Threat to Biodiversity Conservation

2002 to date: In Chitwan alone more than 400 poachers, mediators and traders of rhino horns, tiger skin and bones were arrested and punished according to the NPWC act 1972. 

Law Enforcement

Tiger and Leopard

Illegal Trade of Wildlife Parts

Nepalgunj

Dhangadhi

MahendranagarDolpa

HumlaDarchula

Tatopani

Kakadbhita

Wildlife Trade Export RoutesWildlife Trade International Routes

Wildlife Trade Import Routes

Wildlife Trade Internal Routes

Mustang

Taplejung

Wildlife Trade Routes

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Photo: Samir Sinha

RED SANDERS TRADE

To SE Asia & Japan

To China via Nepal

Into Myanmar & China (?)

Samir Sinha

Human – Tiger Conflict

Threats ……. Key Concerns

• Nepal has been used as transit point for illegal wildlife trade

• High demand for wildlife parts in International markets.

• International illegal wildlife trade network is active in the region

Illegal Wildlife Trade

• Concentrated transboundary efforts required to control the illegal wildlife trade

The World Bank supportedRegional IDA Project

Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Wildlife Protection in Asia

A New Initiative in Regional Partnership for Conservation

Why regional collaboration? • Strengthen connectivity linkage between

Nepal and India

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Justification1. Wildlife and habitats cross administrative boundaries 2. Knowledge and capacity vary widely across and within

countries, 3. Therefore, a regional conservation approach is needed:

1. to address cross-border issues, 2. to build synergies, 3. to share skills, knowledge and experiences and 4. to build regional collaboration

for the conservation of critical habitats and ecosystems.

VISION AND OBJECTIVE

• The long-term vision of the regional program is to stabilizeand, if possible, increase the population and habitats ofcritically endangered animals in South Asia.

• The project development objective (PDO) is to assist theparticipating governments to build or enhance sharedcapacity, institutions, knowledge and incentives tojointly tackle illegal wildlife trade and other selectedregional conservation threats to habitats in crossborder areas.

Project Components1. Capacity building for addressing the illegal

trans-boundary wildlife trade» US $ 0.9 million

2. Promoting wildlife conservation in Asia» US $ 1.6 million

3. Project coordination and communication» US $ 0.2 million

• Contingencies US $ 0.3 million

• TOTAL PROJECT COST US $ 3 MILLION

Component 1Capacity building for addressing the illegal

trans-boundary wildlife trade(US $ 0.9 million)

Aims to bring about regional harmonisation and collaboration in combating wildlife crime.

Sub-components:1.1 Institutional strengthening in wildlife conservation

and illegal wildlife trade control 1.2 Staff capacity building and training towards regional

collaboration.

1.1 Institutional strengthening in wildlife conservation and illegal wildlife trade control

• Support to strengthen Wildlife Crime Control Bureau• Services for development of analytical and operational

protocols to meet CITES requirements.• Support training of field level Rapid Response Cell for

controlling illegal wildlife trade.• Services for the review and revision of legislative framework

and strengthening of relevant institutions.• Support for the establishment of Secretariat for National

Tiger Conservation Committee.

1.2 Staff capacity building and training towards regional collaboration

• Support training and reorientation for the benefit of the staff of the implementing agencies to effectively manage protected areas and forest areas.

• Enhancing the ability of agencies within Nepal to combat illegal wildlife trade and strengthen conservation and PA management in new ways.

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Thank You