ADB_book_18 April.qxp - Himalayan Document Centre - icimod

Appendix 9.2 Some Major Environment-related International ConventionsParticipated in by NepalConventions Related toa. Natural Resource Management1. Plant Protection Agreement for the South East Asia and the Pacific RegionDate of entry into force in Nepal: 12 August 1965Major Objectives: To prevent introduction and spread of destructive plant diseases and pestsMajor Obligations: Regulate trade in plants and plant products2. Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)Date of entry into force in Nepal: 16 September 1975Major Objectives: To protect and regulate the trade of wild fauna and flora and their productsMajor Obligations: All species threatened with extinction should be legally protected with appropriate measures andtrade regulated3. Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention)Date of entry into force in Nepal: 17 April 1988. At the beginning Koshi Tappu included in the Ramsar List; BishajariyaTal in Chitwan, Ghodaghodi Tal in Kailali, and Jagadishpur Reservoir in Kapilvastu districts included in the Ramsar Listby the Ramsar Bureau on 17 September 2003Major Objectives: To prevent the loss of wetlandsMajor Obligations: Parties should designate at least one national wetland and ensure conservation and sustainableuse of migratory stocks of wildfowl4. International Tropical Timber AgreementDate of Ratification or Accession: 3 July 1990Major Objectives: To ensure conservation and sustainable use of timber and enhance international timber tradeMajor Obligations: To implement activities for forest management and any decisions on timber trade5. Agreement on the Network of Aquaculture Centers in Asia and the PacificDate of Ratification or Accession: 4 January 1990Major Objectives: To develop aquaculture for increasing production, improving rural income and employment, andincreasing foreign exchange earningsMajor Obligations: To expand network of aquaculture centers, strengthen institutional capacity, and promoteexchange of information6. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)Date of entry into force in Nepal: 21 February 1994Major Objectives: To ensure conservation, sustainable use, and equitable sharing of benefits of biological diversityMajor Obligations: To prepare and implement national strategies, plans, and programs, including a nationalbiodiversity action plan, for the conservation of biodiversity under both in situ and ex situ conditions. Nepal BiodiversityStrategy approved by the Government of Nepal in August 20027. UN Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/orDesertification, Particularly in AfricaDate of entry into force in Nepal: 13 January 1997Major Objectives: To combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought through effective actions at all levelsMajor Obligations: To prepare and implement National Action Programmes, and to integrate strategies for povertyreduction; National Action Programme approved by the Government of Nepal on 2 February 2004Chapter 9: Environmental Governance139