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| Vol 2, Issue 1 |
January - April 2008 |
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WTLCP Budget NRs 97 million for year 2008
The Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting held on 28 February 2008 at Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation approved budget of NRs 97,615,053 (US$ 1.5 million) for WTLCP’s annual work of 2008. Some of the activities planned for the year are conservation of protected areas, biodiversity conservation, alternate energy for domestic use, livelihood support for vulnerable population etc.
Mr. Dinesh Karki, Biodiversity Conservation Officer, presented WTLCP annual progress of 2007 and annual work plan of 2008 in the meeting. The participants discussed on activities completed on 2007 and gave feedback on planned activities of 2008.
There was rigorous discussion on issues of forest encroachment and deforestation in the meeting. Dr. Keshav Raj Kanel, Director General-DoF, highlighted the problems of encroachment, deforestation, forest degradations and stressed the need to address these problems immediately. Mr. Vijaya Singh, Assistant Resident Representative-UNDP, said that forest encroachment is a complex problem and includes legal and political dimensions which are beyond the mandate of development partners. Therefore, he stressed that government to take a holistic decision in integration with different concerned ministries and to implement integrated plan accordingly in order to solve the problem. Mr. Tirtha Raj Sharma, Secretary- Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, requested donors to be open and generous to help government to curb forest encroachment issue.
Ms. Subarna Rai, PMT Manger- SNV, iterated that the project include more specific programmes to target women and youth. The PSC suggested to include soil conservation, innovative livelihood improvement programmes and improve monitoring and evaluation.
The PSC meeting was held under the chairmanship of Mr. Tirtha Raj Sharma, Secretary of MFSC. Dr. K.C. Poudel, National Project Director facilitated the floor discussion. |
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Tripartite Review Meeting
A tripartite meeting among Ministry of Forest and Soil conservation (MFSC), UNDP and Global Environment Fund (GEF) was organized for sharing and updating project activities and to make strategic decisions on the project implementation process.
The meeting that took place on 20 March at Forestry Complex-Kamthamdnu, was chaired by Dr. K.C. Poudel, National Programme Director of WTLCP. Dr Poudel, Mr. Ghulam Isaczai, DRR UNDP and Sultana Basir, Technical Advisor- GEF, delivered their opening remarks. Mr. Ram Paudel, National Project Coordinator, presented WTLCP progress and Dr. Pratap Shrestha of LIBIRD presented progress of agrobiodiversity component of WTLCP.
The meeting decided to fix a date to review project document and further discuss to strengthen soil conservation, agro-biodiversity and other components in the next PMC meeting.
Representatives from concerned Ministries and Departments, WTLCP partners and UNDP officials attended the meeting. There is a provision to organize tripartite review meeting once a year. |
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Audit of WTLCP activities
SNV and UNDP funded activities of WTLCP were audited by SNV commissioned private consulting firm and Office of Auditor General respectively in the first quarter of 2008. The auditors in addition to carrying out desk review, visited programme areas to observe field activities. The auditors briefed about their findings to WTLCP and UNDP officials and provided valuable suggestions to improve financial management system. |
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World Wetlands Day Celebrated
World Wetlands Day is celebrated each year on 2 February. It marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971. WTLCP celebrated the World Wetlands Day by organizing interaction meetings with the slogan "Healthy Wetlands, Healthy People", in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (SWR) and Mahendra Nagar.
An interaction program in SWR was jointly organized by Suklaphanata Wildlife Reserve (SWR), Buffer Zone Management Committee (BZMC), Western Terai Landscape Complex Project (WTLCP), National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) at the premises of Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve- Kanchanpur. Some 70 representatives from eco-clubs, community based anti-poaching operation groups and associated projects participated in the program that aimed to generate awareness among local stakeholders on the benefits, importance, opportunities and threats of wetlands in general and Ramsar convention in particular.
Similarly, Over 30 people representing Eco-club members, political party representatives, journalists, civil society representatives participated in the meeting. During the gathering a documentary show on importance of conserving wetland was also organized.
This activity report, along with reports from other 92 country’s World Wetlands Day activities, was also posted in Ramsar Web Site (http://www.ramsar.org/wwd/8/wwd2008_reports.htm). |
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Mechanism for joint patrolling in trans-border areas
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Trans-boundary meeting on wildlife movement at Tatargunj. Photo: Ashok Ojha |
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A joint meeting among park officials, community based organizations, local government representatives of India and Nepal agreed to build a mechanism for joint patrolling in trans-border area around Jhilmilaphanta of Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (SWF) of Nepal and adjoining areas of Dudhawa National Park of India.
There are frequent movements of wildlife including mega-species like elephants, tigers, and leopards across Nepal and India border. There natural movements of animal have posed several concerns about protection of the animals as well as human-wildlife conflict. In this regards both sides felt necessity of initiating and institutionalising joint patrolling and monitoring in bordering areas. The meeting decided to form a joint committee at community level for carrying out joint patrolling.
In the meeting, Mr. Gopal Upadhayay, Chief Warden-Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve led the Nepal side, and the Indian team was led by Dr. V.P. Singh, official from Dudhwa National Park. More than 100 people representing journalists, community based organisations, conservation organisations, local government and government organisation participated the meeting. The meeting was held in Tatargunj of India on 25th March 2008.
Similar trans-boundary meeting was held in Bhagawantanagar, India on February 23, 2008. The meeting was organized by Eco-development Committee of Bhagawantanagar- India and Mohana Laljhadi Area Conservation Coordination Committee (MLACC)- Nepal . A total of 14 Nepalese, including representatives from MLACC, District Forest Office, Kanchanpur, Journalists and community forests user groups participated in the meeting. Similarly, the Indian counterparts represented by Eco-development Committees, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Journalists, WWF – India and local communities. |
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Joint Monitoring Conducted
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Monitoring team meeting local people of Gardiya-Kailali; community bulding in background |
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Considering joint monitoring as an integral part of the project intervention, WTLCP Field Offices coordinated joint monitoring programs, in programme areas of its two field offices in the first quarter of 2008.
The a joint monitoring team comprising of political party and civil society representatives, District Forest Officer, Terai Arc Landscape Manager, WTLCP -Dhangadi staff members observed project supported conservation, community development and livelihood activities in Phulbari, Gadaria and Mohana Kailali Corridors on March 9, 2008. The team also interacted with beneficiary communities in these places. This joint monitoring team was formed by Kailali DFCC meeting in December 2007.
Another joint monitoring team visited 6 User Committees of SWR-BZ starting from 24 March to 26 March 2008. This team- that was led by Mr. Chandra B. Chand, Assistant Conservation Officer of SWR, comprised of Chairperson and Programme Officer of Buffer Zone Management Committee (BZMC), representatives of National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), TAL and WTLCP-Bardia staffs. The monitoring team interacted with User Committees members and observed the activities implemented during 2007. The activity provided an opportunity for monitoring team and community people to learn from each other’s experiences on implementation modality, local issues and concerns on conservation.
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Government of Nepal
Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation
Western Terai Landscape Complex Project (WTLCP)
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| Announcement for Student Research Grant 2008 |
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Western Terai Landscape Complex Project (WTLCP) works for conservation and sustainable use of globally significant biodiversity in Nepal’s Western Terai i.e. in Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur districts.
WTLCP invites proposal for partial research grants from Bachelors and Masters Degree students. The priority area of research grant are protected area management, wildlife habitat, conservation of flora and fauna, forest management, Non Timber Forest Products, Biodiversity Hotspots and Wetland management. Other areas include conservation in relation to social, economic and cultural lifestyle of local people, renewable energy, good governance and agro-biodiversity.
Eligible for the grants are Nepalese students planning to perform a field research in WTLCP project area (Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur districts) for their Bachelor’s or Master’s Thesis. Applicants should demonstrate sound knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.
Maximum research grant is up to NRs 25,000 for Bachelor level students and up to NRs 35,000 for Masters Degree students.
The application package consisting research proposal endorsement letter from supervisor, recommendation letter from concerned University/College, Curriculum Vitae and a copy of Nepali citizenship should reach WTLCP office by 05 May 2008, 5:00 pm. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
Women, Janjati, Dalit, Madheshi and students from project districts, as well as students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Guidelines for research grant and additional information can be obtained from:
Western Terai Landscape Complex Project Office or from URL: www.wtlcp.org.np Note: All the rights for the selection is reserved with WTLCP. Telephone calls will not be entertained. |
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| Success Story |
Sonaha People and Their Alternative Livelihood
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A typical home of Sonaha family at Saijana Tappu of Bardia. |
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Sonaha is a minority group of Bardia traditionally living on gold panning; a technique of manually extracting gold by sieving and sorting sand collected from carefully identified location of riverbank. Fishing in the Karnali river is their another main source of living. After establishment of Bardia National Park, restrictions were imposed on free movements at the protected areas and on fishing at the Karnali River. Besides, their resources further dwindled as a result of massive migration from hill to Terai. As a result, their living situation declined and they are forced to seek their livelihood through means that have now became illegal or to look for culturally aliened employments elsewhere including a cheap seasonal labour across the border.
As an intervention to the situation, WTLCP helped to form a User Group of 30 Sonaha families living in Saijana Tappu, a Buffar zone area of Manau VDC, Bardia. The project organized trainings on goat raising, piggery and vegetable farming together with modest seed grant in order to provide them financial support to initiate alternative sources of income. The project conducted literacy classes incorporating biodiversity conservation education in order to raise their awareness level. As a part of project’s alternate energy programme, they received solar tukis (small lighting system) for home and a water pump to irrigate their farm. Today their group named Saijana Tappu User’s Group is leading a local movement for the restoration of their traditional livelihood rights while fully supporting the conservation effort of the park authorities.
Kalu Sonaha, a leader of their community, says “before we were very critical of national parks; but now we understand the importance of conservation and their effort of conservation. Besides, they (the project) have also started to help us to earn our livings. Therefore, our hard feelings (towards park and its officials) are softening.”
WTLCP is proud of all inhabitants of Sonaha of Manau VDC for their effort towards conservation friendly new livelihood skills and for actively participating in project’s efforts on biodiversity conservation and improving the livelihoods.
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Western Terai Landscape Complex Project
Foresty Complex, Babarmahal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: +977-1-4262310, 4218458 Fax: +977-1-4225553 , P.O.Box: 24417
Web: www.wtlcp.org.np |
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