A number of successes have been recorded over the years in the protection and management of biological resources and their diversity, particularly with protected ecosystems and species, community forestry, agrobiodiversity and mountain biodiversity. The impetus for this has been the recognition that Nepal’s biodiversity is the mainstay of the country’s economy and the well being of its people. While the Nepal Biodiversity Strategy will build on the legacy of enlightened environmental planning that has resulted in several successful conservation stories, the present institutional structure of the country does require strengthening for its effective implementation. The NBS will facilitate this with a review of past achievements and lessons learned and identification of the major constraints and existing gaps which need to be addressed.
In the NBS, existing weaknesses, gaps, difficulties and other problems that threaten Nepal’s biological diversity are analysed to determine the major causes of these problems. Immediate and the root causes are identified.
These and other fundamental problems that may be identified through a broad-based analysis hold the key to successful biodiversity conservation in Nepal. Until these fundamental problems and root causes are addressed, success is not likely to be sustainable and the threats will reappear.
There is a strong commitment to make the implementation of the NBS a participatory approach. Public participation will be based on effective public information and education campaigns aimed at raising environmental sensitivity and awareness. In addition to the usual invitations for dialogue, submissions, objections and other reactions, the NBS seeks to involve the public in the early planning stages of resource use as well as in the bioresources management process. This will avoid confrontations and transform opposition into co-operation. The NBS will be implemented through a series of partnership arrangements.
NEPAL BIODIVERSITY STRATEGY 1
Supported by 1
Global Environment Facility and UNDP 1
Acknowledgements 1
Existing protective mechanisms 4
Threats to biodiversity 5
Implementation mechanisms 5
1 INTRODUCTION 1
1.1 OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE OF THE STRATEGY 1
1.2 PRINCIPLES AND DEFINITIONS 2
1.2.1 PRINCIPLES 2
1.2.2 DEFINITIONS AND CONCEPTS 3
Biological resources includes genetic resources, organisms or parts thereof, populations or any other biotic component of ecosystems with actual or potential use or value for humanity. 3
1.3 METHODOLOGY 4
2 NEPAL’S BIODIVERSITY AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE 5
2.1 PHYSICAL SETTING 5
2.1.1 Location 5
2.1.2 Physiography 5
2.1.4 Soil 7
2.1.5 River systems 7
2.1.6 Land use 7
2.2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC SETTING 7
2.2.1 Population and human development 7
7
Table 2.2 Population density and distribution in Nepal 8
2.2.2 Natural resources of economic significance 8
2.3 NEPAL’S ECOSYSTEMS AND SPECIES 9
2.3.1 DIVERSITY AT DIFFERENT ALTITUDES 9
2.3.1.1 Lowlands (Terai and Siwalik Hills, below 1,000m) 9
2.3.1.2 Mid-hills (1,000-3,000m) 10
2.3.1.3 Highlands (above 3,000m) 11
2.3.2 ECOSYSTEMS DIVERSITY 11
2.3.2.1 Forest ecosystems 11
Plantation Forests 13
2.3.2.3 Wetland ecosystems 16
2.3.2.4 Mountain ecosystems 19
2.3.2.5 Agroecosystems 20
Chyangra 24
Lampuchhre 24
2.3.3 SPECIES DIVERSITY 25
2.3.3.1 Diversity of flora 25
2.3.3.2 Diversity of fauna 27
2.3.3.3 Protected, threatened and endemic species 28
Status 33
2.3.4 GENETIC DIVERSITY 36
3 EXISTING MECHANISMS FOR CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY 37
3.1 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK 37
3.1.1 PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT 37
3.1.2 ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION COUNCIL 37
3.1.3 LOCAL AUTHORITIES 38
3.2 PROTECTED AREAS 38
3.2.1 BACKGROUND 38
National Park 38
Strict Nature Reserve 38
Total 39
(% of Nepal Territory) 39
3.2.2 POLICY AND LEGISLATION 41
3.2.2.1 Legislation and regulations 41
3.2.2.2 International conventions and other obligations 42
3.2.3 MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS 43
3.2.4 LESSONS LEARNED 44
3.2.5 MAJOR CONSTRAINTS 45
3.2.6 GAPS 45
3.3 FORESTS 46
3.3.1 NATIONAL AND LEASEHOLD FORESTRY PROGRAMME 47
3.3.1.1 Policy and legislation 47
3.3.1.2 Major achievements 48
Total 48
3.3.1.3 Lessons learned 49
3.3.1.4 Major constraints 49
3.3.1.5 Gaps 49
3.3.2 COMMUNITY AND PRIVATE FORESTRY PROGRAMMES 50
3.3.2.1 Policy and legislation 51
3.3.2.2 Major achievements 51
3.3.2.3 Lessons learned 52
3.3.2.4 Major constraints 52
3.3.2.5 Gaps 53
3.3.3 NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS 53
3.3.3.1 Policy and legislation 53
3.3.3.2 Major achievements 54
3.3.3.3 Lessons learned 54
3.3.3.4 Major constraints 54
3.3.3.5 Gaps 55
3.4 RANGELANDS 56
3.4.1 POLICY AND LEGISLATION 56
3.4.2 MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS 56
3.4.3 LESSONS LEARNED 56
3.4.4 MAJOR CONSTRAINTS 57
3.4.5 GAPS 57
3.5 AGROBIODIVERSITY 58
3.5.1 CROPS 58
3.5.1.1 Policy and legislation 58
3.5.1.2 Major achievements 59
Box 3.1 Agricultural Research Stations in Nepal 60
3.5.1.3 Lessons learned 60
3.5.1.4 Major constraints 61
3.5.1.5 Gaps 61
3.5.2 LIVESTOCK 62
3.5.2.1 Policy and legislation 62
3.5.2.2 Major achievements 64
3.5.2.3 Lessons learned 64
3.5.2.4 Major constraints 64
3.5.2.5 Gaps 64
3.6 WETLANDS 65
3.6.1 POLICY AND LEGISLATION 65
3.6.2 MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS 67
3.6.3 LESSONS LEARNED 67
3.6.4 MAJOR CONSTRAINTS 67
3.6.5 GAPS 67
3.7 MOUNTAIN BIODIVERSITY 68
BOX 3.2 Participation of User Groups/Communities in Catchment Management 69
3.7.1 MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS 69
4 MAJOR THREATS FACING NEPAL’S BIODIVERSITY AND THEIR ROOT CAUSES 71
4.1 MAJOR EXISTING AND EMERGING PROBLEMS 71
4.1.1 WEAKNESSES, GAPS, DIFFICULTIES, AND OTHER PROBLEMS 71
4.1.2 MAJOR THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY 73
4.1.2.1 The threats of ecosystems loss 73
Table 4.3 Changes in forest and shrubland in Nepal between 1978/79 and 1990/91 74
4.1.2.2 The threat of species loss 76
4.1.2.3 The threat of loss of agrobiodiversity and genetic resources 77
4.2 IMMEDIATE AND ROOT CAUSES 78
4.2.1 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CAUSES 78
4.2.2 NATURAL CAUSES 79
4.2.3 ANTHROPOGENIC CAUSES 79
4.2.3.1 Pollution 79
4.2.3.2 Fire 80
4.2.3.3 Overgrazing 80
4.2.3.4 Introduction of alien species 80
4.2.3.5 Illegal trade and hunting 80
4.2.4 PRELIMINARY CAUSAL CHAIN ANALYSIS 82
4.2.4.1 Root causes of the threats to ecosystem loss 82
IMMEDIATE CAUSES 82
4.2.4.2 Root causes of the threats to species loss 83
IMMEDIATE CAUSES 83
4.2.4.3 Root causes of the threats to genetic resources loss 84
IMMEDIATE CAUSES 84
It must be stressed that the above causal chain analysis is very preliminary, and the Nepal Biodiversity Strategy Implementation Plan will provide an opportunity for the analysis to be reviewed with the broad participation of stakeholders, including local communities. However, the results obtained above are very indicative of some of the origins of the threats to biodiversity in Nepal. These can be summarised as follows: 85
5 STRATEGIES TO CONSERVE BIODIVERSITY 86
5.1 Cross-Sectoral Strategies 86
5.1.1 Landscape Planning approach 86
5.1.2 Integrating local participation 86
5.1.3 Institutional Strengthening 86
5.1.4 In-situ Conservation 86
5.1.5 Strengthening the National Biodiversity Unit 87
5.1.6 Increasing Support for Biodiversity Research and Conservation 87
5.1.7 Endorsing Indigenous Knowledge and Innovations 87
5.1.8 Cross-Sectoral Co-ordination and Implementation of Policies 87
5.1.9 Enhancing National Capacity 87
5.1.10 Ex-situ Conservation and Biotechnology 87
5.1.11 Securing Intellectual Property and Farmer Property Rights 87
5.1.12 Biodiversity Prospecting 88
5.1.13 Environmental Impact Assessment 88
5.1.14 Women in Biodiversity Conservation 88
5.1.15 Developing Eco-tourism 88
5.1.16 Increasing Conservation Awareness 88
5.1.17 Biodiversity Registration 88
5.2 Sectoral Strategies 89
5.2.1 Protected areas 89
5.2.1.1 New Models of Protection and Management 89
5.2.1.2 Inadequate Co-ordination 89
5.2.1.3 Capacity enhancement 89
5.2.1.4 Representation of all ecosystems in PAs 89
5.2.1.5 Biodiversity Inventories 89
5.2.1.6 Exchange of Information 89
5.2.1.7 Species Conservation Plan 89
5.2.1.8 Management of Protected Area Tourism 90
5.2.2 Forests 90
5.2.2.1 Forest Rehabilitation 90
5.2.2.2 Inventory of Flora and Fauna 90
5.2.2.3 Ecosystem Network and Representation 90
5.2.2.4 Understanding Forest Resilience and Biodiversity 90
5.2.2.5 Local Participation 90
5.2.2.6 Strengthening Management Practices 90
5.2.2.7 Sustainable Harvesting 91
5.2.2.8 Non-Timber Forest Products 91
5.2.1.9 Religious Forests Management 91
5.2.3 Rangelands 91
5.2.3.1 Need for a National Rangeland Policy 91
5.2.3.2 Conservation of Rangeland Biodiversity 91
5.2.3.3 Pastoral Development and Management in the Himalayas 91
5.2.3.4 Forage Development through Integrated Management Planning 92
5.2.4 Agrobiodiversity 92
5.2.4.1 Participatory Plant Breeding 92
5.2.4.2 Participatory Variety Selection 92
5.2.4.3 Gene Bank 92
5.2.5 Wetlands 92
5.2.5.1 Management of Wetlands 92
5.2.6 Mountain Biodiversity 92
5.2.6.1 National Mountain Policy 92
5.2.6.2 Integrated Management 93
5.3 Commitments to address the most serious threats to biodiversity 93
5.4 Criteria for ranking existing threats and prioritising action 93
6 MECHANISMS FOR ACTION 95
6.1 THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT 95
6.2 ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGY 95
6.2.1 THE NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE 95
6.2.2 THEMATIC SUB-COMMITTEES 96
6.2.3 NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY UNIT 97
6.2.4 BIODIVERSITY CO-ORDINATOR 97
6.2.5 THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS 97
6.2.6 THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTES 97
6.3 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 98
6.3.1 THE ROLE OF THE PUBLIC 98
6.3.2 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION 98
6.3.2.1 Rights and responsibilities 98
6.3.2.2 Public participation policy 99
6.3.2.3 Framework for participation 99
6.3.2.4 Protected Areas and Buffer Zone management 99
6.3.2.5 Ecosystem landscape management 100
6.3.3 INVOLVING NGOS AND CIVIL SOCIETY 100
6.4 FINANCIAL RESOURCES 101
6.4.1 Nepal Trust Fund for Biodiversity 101
6.4.2 Other funding mechanisms 101
6.5 MONITORING AND PROGRESS INDICATORS 102
6.5.1 Biodiversity Monitoring 102
6.6 TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY 102
REFERENCES 107