Final Report - The Rufford Small Grants Foundation

The Rufford Small Grants Foundation
Final Report
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Congratulations on the completion of your project that was supported by The Rufford Small Grants
Foundation.
We ask all grant recipients to complete a Final Report Form that helps us to gauge the success of our
grant giving. We understand that projects often do not follow the predicted course but knowledge of your
experiences is valuable to us and others who may be undertaking similar work. Please be as honest as you
can in answering the questions – remember that negative experiences are just as valuable as positive ones
if they help others to learn from them.
Please complete the form in English and be as clear and concise as you can. We will ask for further
information if required. If you have any other materials produced by the project, particularly a few
relevant photographs, please send these to us separately.
Please submit your final report to jane@rufford.org.
Thank you for your help.
Josh Cole
Grants Director
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Grant Recipient Details
Your name Dipesh Joshi
Project title
RSG reference RSG 06.09.07
Reporting period 2008 February- February 2009
Amount of grant £4402
Your email address Joshi_dr77@yahoo.com
Date of this report April 6 th 2009
Status of Smooth Indian otter (Lutra perspicillata) and conservation
of freshwater ecosystem outside protected areas of Bardia National
Park in Karnali River, Nepal.

1. Please indicate the level of achievement of the project’s original objectives and include any
relevant comments on factors affecting this.
There were two major objectives of the project planed to be achieved through numerous activities. These
two objectives are mentioned in the table below with additional comments.
Objective
Assessment of status,
distribution and
threats facing the
smooth-coated Indian
otter
Aquatic biodiversity
conservation
awareness focussing
on major species like
Ganges river
dolphins, crocodiles
and gharials outside
the protected areas in
Karnali River
Not
achieved
Partially
achieved
Fully
achieved
Comments
√ A detailed study was carried out for this
objective. This was the first study on
Otters in the area and thus will be a basis
to monitor changes in future and will also
be a reference for further studies on the
subject matter.
Though the objective also mentions an
assessment of status of otters, but it was
realized that this was an extremely
difficult and time consuming in case of
such animals and thus assessment of
distribution of the animal was achieved
and regarded as the crucial objective for
future conservation.
√ Awareness activities were carried out as
planed but this is one objective which can
hardly be fully achieved due to various
factors; the major one being difficulty in
quantifying the level of awareness and
changes in these levels.
But ample focus was placed on the species
and ecosystem as a whole to achieve this
target. Further, any future activities can be
based on existing arrangements that are
already in place for awareness rather than
trying to set up new structures which can
be time consuming, complicated and as
opposed by the local communities

2. Please explain any unforeseen difficulties that arose during the project and how these were
tackled (if relevant).
The initial project planning had to be modified and this resulted in project extension by a couple of
months. The project was expected and planned to start in December 2007 when the proposal was
submitted but as the grant was made and released only by mid January 2008, the project started only
towards the end of February. This ultimately caused some inconveniences in detailed survey was could
not be undertaken according to the initial plan due to monsoon. Similarly, awareness programs were
postponed as schools were closed for the monsoon. These inconveniences were tackled by adjusting the
whole schedule of the project which resulted in a delayed end.
Furthermore, a change in exchange rate (devaluation of the pound sterling) caused some inconveniences
in the project. A possible additional achievement of the project that could have been achieved by the
project through publication of the study report as a booklet was not possible but to this deficit. Thus the
budget allocated for printing was diverted to awareness activities. But it has been realized by the applicant
that the proposal of publishing a short study report in the form of a booklet is not practically feasible as it
turns out to be costly when a small number of such short reports are published.
Additionally there were few cases of individuals who had higher expectations when the whole study and
awareness program was presented to them as a project. This was because by this time, most communities
and individuals in Nepal have a different understanding of the term “project”. They assume such
“projects” to be of longer duration having a large budget that can support community development
activities rather than merely a study and awareness. But clarifications were made on this subject matter
and the whole activity was presented as a study with adequate emphasis on awareness. As there were no
previous cases of awareness and study on Otters in the area, it was later realized and accepted by the local
communities positively. Thus it should be realized that a certain level of cooperation with local
communities and main community leaders is very essential in any case. Lack of such cooperation and
support may result in minimal interest of local communities which can lead false data and information.
But a major supportive factor was the researcher’s previous long involvement in the area and with the
local communities.
3. Briefly describe the three most important outcomes of your project.
The project was able to conduct survey of otters; an animal not widely recognized and acknowledged in
conservation in Nepal. The study area is also of crucial importance being located between two large
protected areas of high ecological importance.
Similarly, a very informative booklet was published on otters and this was highly appreciated by children
at the field level and were also distributed by WWF Nepal’s central office. In this way, WWF also
acknowledged the importance of awareness in this narrow field. A poster was also published on three
important species of the study area; Ganges River dolphins, Gharial and Otters. A greater level of
awareness was generated among the local communities mainly school and out of school children. Even
school children were able to identify major threats and possible solutions at local level for freshwater
conservation. Additionally, the local assistants involvement and their personal achievements were also a
major achievement for the project. They were informed and oriented on use of instruments such as GPS
and were also able to realize the importance of their own knowledge in scientific researches.

4. Briefly describe the involvement of local communities and how they have benefited from the
project (if relevant).
Local communities mainly benefited from the awareness activities of the project. Additionally, the local
assistants who were some of the most committed people in conservation in the area (one of them being a
person who was attacked by a tiger that caused a permanent loss of sight of one of his eyes) were able to
gain some income from the project directly. But their indirect achievement was the major part. As the
local residents of the area these people are well acquainted with wildlife and biodiversity of the whole
area. Thus they were a vital part of the whole project. They were also able to realize the importance of
their knowledge during the project as these people are in most cases more skilled than some trained
ecologists. Thus the project made them realize through constant acknowledgement that their knowledge
counts. At the same time, they were oriented on the use and importance of scientific equipments such as
GPS. This will strengthen their capacities, interest and involvement in future conservation activities in the
area.
5. Are there any plans to continue this work?
Yes, there are plans to continue this work in future through a possible 2 nd RSG. The applicant plans to
develop a Survey manual for Otters in coordination with some national conservation organizations as a
continuation of this project. This manual can be very helpful for future researchers in Nepal and even in
the region. There is a lack of such manuals in aquatic or semi-aquatic animals. Higher coordination will be
established with WWF Nepal in this effort as it has been implementing projects in the present project
area. Further, awareness activities are planned to be continued through the existing local institutions in
the area which has a strong local level presence and influence in conservation. There has also been a
certain level of commitment from WWF Nepal’s project office to work in freshwater issues to build on
what they have already initiated.
6. How do you plan to share the results of your work with others?
The study report could not be published as a book because it was too short for a publication which would
not be cost effective. But a paper has been written on the study and will be submitted to some national
and regional journals in near future. Results will also be disseminated through local and national
organizations in near future. Copies of the draft report of the study were also handed over to major
conservation organizations at local and national level in Nepal. Initial findings of the study were also
made public through interactive forums at local level during group discussions and among school
children. Copies of the final study report which also includes maps of the study area along with
distribution of Otters will be provided to all major stakeholders through whatever possible forms.

7.Timescale: Over what period was the RSG used? How does this compare to the anticipated or
actual length of the project?
The project was planned for 11months but due to some changes as mentioned in the preceding sections
of the report, it was used till a later date. Thus there has been an extended period for the project. It is
also to some extent due to unreliable monsoon on which the otter survey periods and opening of schools
for awareness and informative activities depends. But personal experience shows that a well planned
schedule and timely release of budget could make the whole project shorter if carried out intensively.
8. Budget: Please provide a breakdown of budgeted versus actual expenditure and the reasons
for any differences. All figures should be in £ sterling, indicating the local exchange rate used.
S Particulars Requested Spent
Remarks
N
£ NRs £ NRs
sterling*
sterling**
1 Lead researcher 480 62880 465 56212 This amount was reduced as far as
possible to compensate the
2 Local assistants 720 94320 780 94320
difference that resulted from
differences in exchange rates.
This amount was what it was
initially planned as it cannot be
readjusted in any case.
3 Local travel 492 64452 485 58694
4 Field supplies 763 99953 620 75000 The quality and quantity were
compromised to some extent to
cover the budget deficiencies.
5 Communication 76 9956 74 8995
6 Local
consultations
7 Awareness
programs
8 Study report
preparation
9 Information
dissemination
191 25021 288 34855 It was higher than planned due to
greater number of events
916 119996 1134 137230 Publication cost was marginally
increased compared to as planned
573 75063 264 32000 Publication of the report which
could have been an achievement
was not possible due to
inadequacy of budget. This
amount was readjusted in
191 25021 248 30000
Awareness and dissemination.
The costs was almost as planned.
TOTAL 4402 576662 4358 527306
NRs.
£
sterling
Requested 576662 4402
Received 532642 4402
Spent 527306 4358
Balance 5336 ≈45
* Exchange rate when applied was 1£=NRs 131
** Exchange rate when received and spent was 1£=NRs 121

9. Looking ahead, what do you feel are the important next steps?
Freshwater ecosystems and major species need more focus in a country like Nepal where conservation is
usually driven by some species like tigers, rhinos, elephants and snow leopards. So higher importance and
an integrated approach is vital in near future. Large conservation organizations should also focus more on
such areas rather than only on terrestrial ecosystems. In future projects and activities, greater coordination
with such organizations is necessary. At the same time it is also essential to enhance capacity building
activities in this field in countries like Nepal where there is inadequate focus. This becomes more
pertinent also because of the fact that freshwater ecosystems are a major part of rural livelihoods mainly
through food and irrigation along with providing other ecosystem services. Thus I personally think that
RSG provides appropriate platform and funds for capacity building through these grants for research and
awareness. Along with this awareness needs an additional focus. Though the changes in level of
awareness is hard to quantify but it should always be the most important and fundamental part of
conservation efforts.
I think it is crucial to extrapolate this effort into larger arenas and areas meaning that bigger donor
organizations also need to focus and there is also a need to focus on larger areas. Furthermore, more
integrated approaches in research and conservation are required in this sector. The issues need to be
linked up with livelihood issues and thus it requires an integrated effort. A certain level of coordination
has already been established as the local partners of the project were also the implementers of WWF
Nepal’s Terai Arc Landscape project. Even at the central level, a degree of cooperation was developed
with WWF Nepal due to previous personal and professional involvements with WWF Nepal. This
network needs to be exploited for larger efforts in the future. Thus in a nutshell, a continuation and a
higher level of coordination is necessary and additionally more attention needs to be focussed in future on
publications that are accessible to a larger audiences.
10. Did you use the RSGF logo in any materials produced in relation to this project? Did the
RSGF receive any publicity during the course of your work?
Posters and booklets were published from the project budget as a part of awareness program. These
publications have also been sent to RSG through post. Ample focus was paid to the donor of the project
during the project activities but necessary caution was also taken not to over illustrate RSG. This was
necessary in some cases few locals can be reactive when they have to contribute during long group
discussions without any incentives, specially when they learn that an international organization is funding
such an activity.. Thus objectives of the project and how it was financed were clearly and cautiously
mentioned during such mass events. But publications provided ample importance to RSG logo.
The poster had an appropriate logo on it while the booklet on Otters had appropriately placed RSG logo
on the front and back cover. Details of the RSG activities and their budget allocation to various sectors
(as shown by a pie chart in the website for 2007/08) was also published with additional information about
RSG. This was of a major interest among local NGOs among whom the booklets were also distributed.
Most of them had rarely heard of this organization also due to the fact that RSG does not fund larger
community based conservation projects. Clarifications were given to such inquisitive individuals and
organizations that RSG normally focussed on individual capacity enhancement through research and
awareness.

11. Any other comments?
A major problem that could have occurred was a devaluation of the pound sterling. The devaluation
resulted in a difference of NRs. 40,000 between what was requested and what was received. Though this
did occur between project application and grant receiving period, the estimated cost was still able to cover
the actual costs of the project mainly due to the fact that some adjustments were made on the quality of
some equipments and materials purchased for the project. But no adjustments were made in case of
number of events to be carried out, number of surveys and discussions to be held and prizes for children
during school level competitions.
12. I agree to this report being published on the Rufford Small Grants website
Signed (or print name): Dipesh Joshi