Posted on February, 09 2007
WWF Nepal, the global conservation organization in Nepal, signed a US$10 million project agreement, spaced over five years (2006–2011), with the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation and the Social Welfare Council in Kathmandu on Friday, 9 February 2007.
KATHMANDU, Nepal – WWF Nepal, the global conservation organization in Nepal, signed a US$10 million project agreement, spaced over five years (2006–2011), with the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation and the Social Welfare Council in Kathmandu on Friday, 9 February 2007.
Dr. Ritu Prasad Gartoulla, Member Secretary, Social Welfare Council, Dr. Mohan Prasad Wagley, Chief, Planning and Human Resource Division, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation and Mr. Anil Manandhar, Country Representative of WWF Nepal signed the document in the presence of senior officials from all three agencies.
“This project agreement between the government of Nepal and WWF Nepal comes in a new climate of peace when we all can work together to make significant advances for both people and nature,” said Dr. Ritu Prasad Gartoulla, Member Secretary - Social Welfare Council.
The organization revealed major funding would be sourced from within the extensive WWF global network, global charitable foundations, initiatives and individuals, and international aid agencies and non-government organizations.
“This US$10 million project agreement is just the beginning to the realization of important goals in the next five years and WWF Nepal will continue to be part of this joint endeavor every step of the way. The funds are an indication of our commitment to securing a future for Nepal’s rich natural heritage by continuing to work in close partnerships at all levels to deliver results that contribute to a living planet,” said Mr Anil Manandhar, Country Representative of WWF Nepal.
The funds will be a critical investment in the post-conflict scenario as partnerships are strengthened from the grassroots to the national level to conserve Nepal’s rich biodiversity in the Terai Arc Landscape, the Sacred Himalayan Landscape and the Northern Mountains Conservation Program while also improving the sustainable livelihoods of rural communities.
The US$10 million will support activities that include projects and programs supporting wildlife and forest resources, landscape level conservation planning and management, protected area management, forest management, integrated conservation and development, work on climate change and freshwater issues, promotion of eco-tourism, conservation education, public awareness, mobilization of non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations, development of human resources and institutional capacities of the partner organizations, and other activities.
The project agreement will continue to put the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation in the conservation lead in partnership with WWF Nepal to work together for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
“WWF has always been a valuable conservation partner for Nepal and we are very happy to receive such a significant funding commitment to further our joint work in Nepal,” said Dr. Mohan Prasad Wagley, Chief, Planning and Human Resource Division of the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation.
The project agreement is based on priorities outlined in the Nepal Biodiversity Action Plan, the Five-Year Plans of the Government of Nepal, the Master Plan for the Forestry Sector of Nepal, the Implementation Plan for the Terai Arc Landscape, the Sacred Himalayan Landscape Strategic Plan and the new WWF Nepal Strategic Plan (2006–2011). By 2011, WWF Nepal is confident that this partnership will result in positive and lasting benefits for both people and nature ranging from good governance and poverty reduction to forest, freshwater and species conservation and effectively combating climate change.
