Research
Promoting local initiatives for biodiversity conservation in Nepal’s trans-Himalaya
Principal Investigator
The trans-Himalayan region of Nepal is rich in biodiversity and provides an important basis for rural livelihood, particularly to the indigenous and marginalized communities. The northwestern trans-Himalayan region includes the Humla district is the most remote, and the least developed area in Nepal. In Humla agriculture is subsistence and supported by livestock husbandry of cow, horse, hybrids, yaks, mules, goat, and sheep, where only 1% of the total land is suitable for farming. As a result, the local populations are highly dependent on biodiversity for livelihood and income generation. Local’s excessive dependence on natural resources, deforestation and forest fire, illegal hunting, human-wildlife conflict, habitat loss, and fragmentation are documented threats to biodiversity conservation. In addition, infrastructure development in important wildlife habitats and climate change is expected to have a more severe impact on biodiversity particularly the forest and large mammals which calls the need for urgent conservation actions.
This project aims at addressing biodiversity conservation using large mammals as an ambassador species, with an overall goal of protecting the forest, pastures, and forest-pasture mosaic habitats and their ecosystem. A multi-pronged approach to biodiversity conservation is must needed action focusing on the participation of the local natives at the forefront of the campaign with an aim at integrating scientific knowledge with a traditional knowledge system to break the barrier between biodiversity conservation and livelihood support. The project focuses on education and awareness-raising, capacity-building training to promote citizen scientists, a social enterprise for income generation, biodiversity survey, and monitoring, herders support program, and community-based anti-poaching units. The project will be implemented in collaboration with the local rural municipalities and community institutions. This project will be crucial in building a strong foundation for long-term biodiversity conservation stewardship and local governments committed to conservation financing.
