ADB_book_18 April.qxp - Himalayan Document Centre - icimod

The Government has given legal protectionstatus to 13 plants, 26 mammals, 9 birds, and 3 reptilespecies. Almost all these faunal species and about 20plant species are included in the CITES (Conventionon International Trade in Endangered Species ofWild Fauna and Flora) appendices.Different alternative energy sources to replaceor reduce fuelwood use such as back-boilers,kerosene depots, small hydropower plants, solarwater heaters, and space heaters have beenintroduced in Mountain areas (such as AnnapurnaConservation Area Project [ACAP] and Sagarmathaareas); and biogas, electricity, kerosene, improvedcooking stoves, and solar power in the Terai. StudiesLong-Billed Vulture (Gyps indicus)Freshwater Gangetic Dolphin (Platanista gangetica)Wetland areaIUCNIUCN IUCNshow that these have reduced fuelwood consumptionand thereby increased conservation of forests(DNPWC 1999; Lama and Lipp 1994; Wells andBrandon 1992).The Government has formulated acts andregulations to safeguard the biodiversity of thecountry. Some of these have been listed above. TheNational Planning Commission in collaboration withThe World Conservation Union (IUCN) is toimplement a national conservation strategy, whichhas biodiversity conservation as a key component. In1993, these two organizations developed the NepalEnvironmental Policy and Action Plan. This planidentified four priority actions for biodiversityconservation. In addition, Nepal has signed differentinternational conventions such as the RamsarWetland Convention, World Heritage Convention,and CITES to show its commitment to theconservation of biodiversity.A buffer zone approach has been implementedaround the borders of the Royal Chitwan NationalPark, Royal Bardia National Park, Langtang NationalPark, Sheyphoksundo National Park, Makalu BarunNational Park, and Sagarmatha National Park to solvepark-people conflicts and protect park animals, aswell as to ease the biotic pressure on core areas andto promote sustainable management of naturalresources. This conciliatory approach is aimed atmotivating local communities to undertakeparticipatory management of forest resourcesthrough user groups. This program refunds 50% ofthe total revenue of protected areas, which thecommunities can use for their socioeconomicbetterment. This provision has demonstrated thedirect benefit of protected areas as a long-termmeasure for conservation of biodiversity resourcesthrough government-community partnership.Wetlands like rivers, lakes, reservoirs, villageponds, paddy fields, and marshlands are rich inbiodiversity and different indigenous communitiesoften have cultural attachments to them (Table 4.5).Wetlands cover some 5% (743,500 ha) of the landarea of the country (MOFSC 2003). There are a totalof 242 designated wetlands: 163 in the Terai and theremainder in the Hill and Mountain regions.Nepal’s wetlands are home to 193 of 841recorded bird species. Terai wetlands alone have 187bird species, of which 180 are found in the KoshiTappu Wildlife Reserve. In addition to birds,wetlands are home to a number of fish species,reptiles, and amphibians. Other wild animals such asrhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), wild buffalo(Bubalus bubalis), swamp deer (Cervus duvaucelli),Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica), and otter(Lutra lutra) also depend on wetlands. Wetlands areprobably the last refuges of some wild relatives of44 Environment Assessment of Nepal : Emerging Issues and Challenges