NATIONAL 6 -(Spotlight Weekly)]

At The Cross-roads

An interaction program discusses on the present and future role of King Mahendra Trust For Nature Conservation (KMTNC)

By KESHAB POUDEL

KMTNC has played a very important role in the last two decades to carry out the preservation activities in the country but the question is, is it enough for the organization like KMTNC to limit its conservation efforts or should it expand its activities?

KMTNC : Seeking partnership

In the last two decades, in the conservation area KMTNC has demonstrated its ability in carrying out successful conservation programs in the country.

In a program on partnership for Conservation interaction program organized by KMTNC, the participants raised different queries regarding the future role of KMTNC.

Chaired by Chairman of the KMTNC, Prince Gyanendra, the interaction program was open and full of debate as various questions concerning the program and policies of the trust were raised.

"Ideally, perhaps for the first time a majority of our partners have gathered under one roof for a proactive and friendly exchange of views," declared Prince Gyanendra in his opening remark.

Established in 1982, KMTNC is the pioneer non-governmental organization to start the conservation efforts in the country. The success of Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has proved the credibility of the trust.

An organization which raised fund on its own abroad to carry out conservation activities in the country is now at the cross-roads. Till now the role of the trust seems to be more supportive and conservationist.

Following the restoration of democracy, the role of the organization like KMTNC needed to be defined as conservation alone was not adequate to protect the nature.

Some participants pointed out the need to change the present status of functioning of institutions and make it more pro-active.

"KMTNC should, on the one hand, specialize in what it does best which is to raise fund internationally to disburse nationally rather than continue to set up its own projects. It must develop a cadre of competent program officers who would, on the one hand, identify the critical environmental challenges facing the country and on the other hand would identify and support NGOs and individual to engage in important research and solid activism. This would allow the trust to be dynamic in responding to the country's needs and yet protect it and its Chairman from the political flak that will necessarily come from good research and activism," said Kanak Mani Dixit, editor of Himal magazine.

The coordination with the local bodies was also raised by the participants. "As there are problems of coordination between the local bodes and community, how does KMTNC sees the coordination issue?" asked Jagdish Pokharel, member of National Planning Commission.

"Coordination with local bodies is one of our main priorities," said Trilok Pratap Rana, member secretary of KMTNC.

At a time when the conservation areas like Chitawan, Bardiya and other parts of the country are facing different challenges, the institutions like KMTNC must come forward to build certain pressures. Participants also urged to shift the priority of the KMTNC.

"KMNTC has proved itself as a successful organization to carry out community based natural conservation program. The time has come now to evaluate the old role and start with fresh approach," said Dr. Mohan Man Sainju, Chairman of IIDS.

Some see there are challenges for KMTNC's projects like ACAP. "We must prepare the local community and make them capable before handing over the ACAP," said Dr. Ram Prasad Yadav.

At the program the project directors of KMTNC presented the progress of on going projects run by the Trust. Siddhartha B. Bajracharya, project director of Annapurna Area Conservation Project presented the progress and challenges of ACAP.

Dr. Shanta R. Gyanwali, project director of KMTNC\Bardiya Conservation Project presented the Terai Environment Program and R. K. Shrestha, project director of Central Zoo discussed the awareness programs launched by the project.