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WWF's Approved Projects
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WWF in Nepal Nestled among the Himalayas, the world's highest mountain peaks, Nepal has a varied bio-geography. From lush moist forests and sparse alpine deserts to luxurious grasslands. Massive rivers flow through the country's middle hills to the southern flood plains. Flora and fauna from the Oriental and Palaearctic zones meet and mingle here. The altitudinal changes and resulting environmental diversity give Nepal's ecosystems a unique wealth and variety. Nepal shelters some of the world's rarest animals. These include endangered species such as the Greater One-horned rhinoceros, Royal Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris), snow leopard (Panthera uncia), Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), barasingha or swamp deer, Gangetic dolphin, gharial or fish-eating crocodile, musk deer, and red panda. Nepal also has over 800 species of birds, including six endemic pheasant species, 640 species of butterflies, and over 6,500 species of flowering plants. Poverty and a rapidly growing population are, however, posing serious conservation threats to the country. Nepal is classified by the United Nations as one of the least developed countries in the world. The burgeoning population is beginning to exceed the carrying capacity of the country's arable land. Pristine lowland jungles were cleared for development infrastructure such as roads, power and irrigation systems. Hill people migrated in resettlement programs. As a result, populations of rhinoceros, tiger, and elephant have been gravely threatened. Between 1975 and 1980, 15 per cent of Nepal's remaining forests were destroyed mainly due to the demand for fuelwood, fodder and agricultural development. If left unprotected, Nepal's forest may disappear completely within a few decades. Nepal's problems have been compounded in recent years by toxic residue from chemical pesticides. This has diminished fertility, affected health and infected water supplies. Vehicular and industrial pollution, especially in the capital Kathmandu, have contributed to the woes of this mountain kingdom. As Mingma Norbu Sherpa, Country Representative for WWF-Bhutan and Nepal Programmes, puts it: "Nepal faces a formidable environmental challenge. The government of Nepal, various conservation organizations and WWF share a commitment to preserving the country's rich natural heritage while also addressing the needs of a growing human population." WWF's involvement in Nepal dates back to 1967 when it supported work to save endangered species such as the Greater One-horned Rhinoceros and the Royal Bengal tiger. In 1985, WWF stepped up its activities and initiated a country-wide programme with the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, a local NGO founded with the support of the Nepalese royal family. In 1993, WWF signed an agreement with the government and opened an office in Kathmandu to coordinate and monitor project activities. The initial focus was on research and training. Since then, WWF's Nepal program has expanded to cover conservation education, protected area and endangered species management, and institutional strengthening. It also addresses human needs and community issues. And encourages the integration of conservation with development. One of WWF's biggest achievements in Nepal is the reforestation, protection and clean-up of the Mt Everest area. Protected as the Sagarmatha National Park and recognized internationally as a World Heritage Site, this highland Khumbu region has long attracted trekkers and mountaineers. Camp litter, garbage left from expeditions, and improper human waste disposal had created a serious health and ecological problem in the area. Equally serious was the problem of deforestation -- the direct result of demand for scarce fuelwood. In 1991, WWF assisted local villagers to form a committee to prevent and control pollution in Sagarmatha, and to strengthen reforestation efforts. The Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC) evolved different methods to manage human and other kinds of waste such as compost and incinerators. WWF produced an Operational Plan in 1993 to focus priorities. A monetary deposit scheme was introduced, based on the weight of equipment and supplies brought in, thus giving visitors an incentive to pack out as much as possible at the end of their expedition. All funds forfeited were to help finance the clean-up program. SPCC has gathered momentum in the past four years. It has expanded its activities beyond pollution control to include community services, environmental protection, tourism development and cultural preservation. WWF also supports the Annapurna Conservation Area Project. Initiated with WWF funding in 1986, this project --WWF's largest throughout the last decade -- gives the 120,000 inhabitants of the beautiful Annapurna region in mid-north Nepal control over the area's natural resources. WWF has developed several new projects as well. Along with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) it carried out a joint feasibility study of the Kanchenjunga area. The aim is to establish a protected area here. WWF assisted DNPWC in biodiversity inventory and management plan preparation for the Royal Bardia National Park. A programme has also been initiated to promote local guardianship of endangered wildlife species and habitats in the Royal Chitwan National Park. Aside from this, the Integrated Pest Management project has been developed to combat the adverse effect of extensive use of pesticides in the health, agriculture and industrial sectors.
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Copyright 1996, The World Wide Fund For Nature