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Eco project launched
KATHMANDU, JUN 28 -
Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) and BirdLife International UK have launched a three-year project named ‘ecosystem services’ on Monday. The Darwin Initiative, UK, is funding the programme.
The project worth around Rs. 20 million, will assess and monitor ecosystem services like economic benefits of natural resources to the local communities and national level in around 27 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Nepal.
Hum Bahadur Gurung, BCN chief executive officer, on Monday said the project aims to develop a site-focused, participatory, robust and inexpensive methodology to assess and monitor ecosystem services at local and national level. The project will also impart well-tailored training for national partners in Asia and globally on collecting and using information on ecosystem services for conservation planning and advocacy.
“This pilot project will have a greater impact if we can demonstrate how ecosystem services can significantly help the poor communities while conserving biodiversity,” Gurung said, “These services will highlight the value of nature and present the scientific information to policy makers,” he added.
National and international scientists will develop assessment tool to identify the economic values of natural resources, which is not developed inside the country before.
According to Gurung, experts will conduct various trainings and workshops and assess economic value of biodiversity with the direct involvement of the local communities.
Though a rapid review of all 27 IBAs in Nepal will be undertaken, key ecosystem services will be documented at three pilot sites (IBAs) namely Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Shivapuri National Park and Rara National Park.
The data of forests will be collected to undertake an economic cost-benefit analysis of conservation and sustainable management versus alternative land-uses.
Posted on: 2010-06-29 08:08
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