INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND LOCAL NGO'S
(Projects NP0019 and NP0853)
n approach adopted by WWF in its conservation strategy for Nepal is to give support to develop self-sufficient governmental and nongovernmental conservation institutions. WWF Nepal assists a number of agencies in a variety of ways.
Since its inception in 1980, His Majesty's Government Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) has undergone major structural, organizational and leadership changes. Support given by WWF to DNPWC (Project NP0019) includes funding staff training; purchase of field equipment such as radio sets and camping items; upgrading office facilities; and participation in national and international seminars and events, including the CITES workshop in May 1995 and the CITES implementation coordination meeting in July 1994. Educational materials such as displays on wildlife and conservation issues in Nepal are produced, and television spots developed and broadcast, by Nepal Television.
Particularly successful are the anti-poaching campaign activities undertaken in Chitwan and Bardia by the DNPWC. Funding from regular government channels is restricted, but WWF's special agreement enables resources to be directly used for emergency activities such as anti-poaching.
Following the democracy movement in 1990, hundreds of local NGOs are now registered in Nepal. Many function as pressure groups, catalysts, and educational forums, while others execute conservation and development projects. Many of these NGOs are committed to environmental conservation. WWF is helping through its Project NP0853: Support for Local NGOs.
Recipients of WWF grants include the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), Environmental Camps for Conservation Awareness (ECCA), Kathmandu Environment Education Project (KEEP), Nepal Forum for Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ), Himal Associates, Nepal Botanical Society, and Women in Environment.
Supporting grassroots NGOs with practical and original ideas promotes conservation as part of the daily life and actions of Nepal's people. To this end, project activities include training workshops for key personnel from selected NGOs, strategic planning for conservation projects, and the production of guidelines and resource packages for NGOs. WWF is also developing a network of NGOs to ensure that all the various conservation initiatives are well coordinated.
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