Final Report - The Rufford Small Grants Foundation

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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.
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Final Report - The Rufford Small Grants Foundation

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