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Japan grants aid for forest conservation

Japan has decided to extend assistance of over Rs 25 million (US$ 36,519) to the Institute for Himalayan Conservation (IHC), a Japanese NGO, for the implementation of forest conservation projects in remote villages of western Myagdi and Parbat districts, the Japanese embassy said.

According to the embassy, the grant will be utilized for community-based development of villages through forest conservation. For this purpose, nurseries will be established in Narchyang and Salija VDCs of Myagdi and Parbat Districts respectively. Similarly, the IHC will provide support to cultivate skill among the community people to identify the needs of the area themselves and for the transfer of technical know-how in preparation of nurseries and in forest conservation, the statement read.

“Since its establishment in 1974, IHC has been initiating an integrated project for environmental conservation and village development in Myagdi District. The IHC has been extending its support through cooperation with IHC–Nepal, the local NGO in Nepal, to implement various activities, including cultural preservation, nature conservation and transfer of appropriate technology for the mountain region,” the embassy said in its statement.

It is expected that the project will contribute to the enhancement of the environment of the region as well as help improve the living standard of local people and further strengthen the relationship between the Japanese and Nepali people.

Japan is the largest bilateral donor to Nepal. nepalnews.com pd July 12 05