Integrating Conservation and Community Development

Basant Subba

A ltitudinal changes in  short distances give Nepal’s biogeography  its variety resulting in an equally rich and varied biodiversity. Despite a biological richness and natural beauty, the mountainous kingdom faces some of the formidable conservation threats besetting any nation in the world today. Rapidly growing human population, fragmentation of pristine wildlife habitat, poaching and illegal trade in endangered wildlife products are some of the serious conservation threats.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) and WWF Nepal Program launched the Bardia Integrated Conservation Project (BICP) with the financial support of the Netherlands Development Agency (NEDA) in Royal Bardia National Park (RBNP) and its buffer zone in 1995. The King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC) and Women in Environment (WE)—two partner NGOs—are involved in the implementation of some component of the project.

The project was launched with the goal to promote conservation of biodiversity in and around the park by strengthening the capacity of local institutions and institutional development of DNPWC. In addition, BICP is seeking to strengthen the management of the park through a comprehensive management plan and human resource development through training opportunity for park and the DNPWC staff.

In order to build institutional capacity of local communities and DNPWC, the project supported local students and DNPWC/Park staff to pursue M.Sc, B.Sc and I.Sc Forestry from Nepal and abroad. This programme is expected to enhance effective park and buffer zone management. Likewise, various training and orientation programmes were organized for park and the members of the protection units of the Nepal Army stationed in the park for joint patrolling, anti-poaching surveillance, and legal procedures following the capture of offenders. The orientation also informs the participants about park regulations, tourism in protected areas, the concept of buffer zone and the Village Development Committees (VDCs) adjoining the park. Anti-poaching measures such as joint patrolling, sweeping operations, and award for the “Best Post” have reduced poaching in Babai valley.

DNPWC/HMG has begun to establish buffer zones in and around the protected areas to fulfill local people’s needs. “BICP has assisted to form User Committees in the adjoining VDCs and helped to implement the Buffer Zone Regulations for capacity enhancement of the local people.” says Dr. Tirtha Man Maskey, Director General, DNPWC. Some of the community services of the project include setting up of tube wells, introduction of better sanitation programs and ENT camps. It provides incentive for a doctor and a health assistant at the Nikunja (Park) Health Center, Thakurswara, where about fifteen patients get health service daily.

In view of the fact that local women of the area are, as from other parts of the country, major users and managers of natural resources, the exchange programme for them has increased their participation in resource management and buffer zone development activities.

Apart from outreach programmes for farmers and the distribution of saplings for sustainable agriculture and forestry practices, the project has initiated activities to improve animal husbandry and livestock management practices by distributing breeding bulls, support for veterinary store, fodder tree and grazing management, and promotion of biogas.

The Women in Environment is engaged in mobilizing local women by promoting skill development and income generating activities. The Mothers’ Groups formed by the NGO has   increased local women’s participation in development activities.  Income generating activities such as sewing and tailoring, poultry farming, piggery, fishery, and vegetable farming have increased their income generating skill. The Day Care Center set up by the project does not only give local women time to take part in skill development and income generating activities but has also raised the number of children enrolling in local schools. Mrs. Sarita Pokhrel of Ward No.2 of Thakurdwara VDC says, “the poultry farming supported by the project has helped many women like me to generate income and become self-reliant.”.  The Women’s Groups who have taken up poultry have earned Rs.1,19,050. with a group saving of Rs.23, 147.

Mrs. Nandakala Baduwal, another resident of Thakurdwara, received high breed piglets of Yorkshire variety from the project and started piggery. She also grows seasonal and off season vegetables. “We are very happy to have the support from the project to engage ourselves in vegetable farming and generate income,” says Mrs Baduwal. However, she pointed out the need for effective market promotion. Lack of fixed rate leaves her no choice but to sell her products at a cheap price.

Mrs. Chandrakala Khadka and Mrs Kamala Aryal are two of the many local women who  underwent sewing and tailoring training organized by the project. These two women have their own shops with sewing machines. A couple from the disadvantaged group also has taken the training and has opened shop at Thkurdwara Bazaar.

In addition to gender training and awareness to encourage local women in conservation and development activities, 412 local girls have been provided stipend to pursue school education. The other area of accomplishments of the project is the promotion of conservation education. It was carried out through teachers’ study tour, formation of eco-clubs in local schools, environmental education programme for buffer zone schools, street theaters and publication of environmental newsletter.

 In an attempt to reduce crop damage by foraging wildlife, the project has also supported to build machans (view tours), trenches and barbed wire in the crucial areas. The local residents of Thakurdwara and Suryapatuwa VDCs have extended their cooperation by maintaining the trench and building bio-fence. They are also engaged in  the promotion of natural forest regeneration in their area. Altogether 5,864 tourists visited the park during the fiscal year 1998/99. Out of the 55 locals who received nature guide training, 25 are already employed.

In line with the concept of ecoregion conservation, WWF is working towards developing corridors between RBNP and the adjacent Katarnia Ghat Wildlife Sanctuary, and link Churia hill forests with Dudhwa National Park of India through Basanta Forest in Kailali district. “In addition to the strategic location of the park for transboudary conservation with adjacent Indian parks across the border, the Western Terai  (RBNP) is one of the priority sites for Greater one-horned rhinos selected for the South Asia Bioregion” says Dr, Chandra P Gurung, Country Representative of WWF Nepal Program.

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