Government of Nepal. Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Wildlife Protection in Asia Project. IDA Grant No.: H 6660.

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1 Government of Nepal Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Wildlife Protection in Asia Project IDA Grant No.: H 6660 Concept Paper on Student Dissertation Grant Programme (Contract ID: SRCWP/NTNC/NS/05) ( ) May 2013 Project Coordination Unit National Trust for Nature Conservation Khumaltar, Lalitpur Po Box 3712 Kathmandu. Tel: , Fax: E mail: pcu_ntnc@ntnc.org.np

2 Overview of the Project Natural habitats are vital for assuring sustainable development. Wild habitats are the repositories of biological diversity (biodiversity) the raw material for natural selection and adaptation. They provide myriad services that enrich and sustain human life with both tangible and intangible economic and social value including watershed protection, biological control of pests, crop pollination and life-sustaining environmental services, such as breathable air and usable water. Biodiversity is especially important to South Asia which is home to 13-15% of the world's biodiversity and hosts some of the most charismatic and endangered species on Earth. Habitats across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal are home to over 65% of the 3,000 or so remaining wild tigers and the Himalayas are the last redoubt of the critically endangered snow leopard whose numbers are unknown. Nepal is classified as one of the biologically rich countries in the world. 118 Ecosystem types, 75 Vegetation types, 35 Forest types together with 210 species of mammals, 865 species of birds, 127 species of reptiles and 653 species of butterflies clearly indicate the ecosystem diversity and biological richness of this small country. The charismatic appeal of many species can generate additional economic benefits from conservation. Ecotourism is globally the fastest growing and most profitable segment of the tourist industry. Nepal has become one of the major ecotourism destinations in the world. Nepal's biodiversity is also extremely important for the country's economy as well as the well-being of its people. About 80 % of Nepal's population is rural, many of whom depend on a variety of forest products for their livelihoods. Forests contribute to about 10% of Nepal s GDP. The total forest area comprises 29% of the country s land area and represents the daily source of fuel wood, food, fodder, timber, and medicinal plants for the rural population. Some rural populations help to sustain and manage forests in many parts of Nepal. Appropriate and sustainable forest 2 P age

3 management (including community management) has led to an increased supply of forest products with obvious livelihood benefits. The Government of Nepal is keenly aware of the benefits that biodiversity brings and the risks of biodiversity loss. The country has been among the leading countries of the world in adopting legislation and ratifying international conventions for biodiversity conservation Despite the strong government commitments towards conservation, Nepal faces several challenges such as habitat fragmentation, poaching for illegal wildlife trade and increasing incidence of Human Wildlife Conflicts. 1. Habitat erosion. Nepal has dedicated 23.23% of its land by declaring protected areas. However, habitat erosion is a key concern in biodiversity conservation in Nepal. Not only do many of the high profile endangered species (such as the top predators and elephants) require large amounts of land, but their habitats need to be connected as well to assure long-term genetic survival. The forest corridors linking these PAs are under constant and unrelenting pressure from intrusive structures, such as new roads and expanding settlements. As a result, many endangered species subsist in isolated population clusters inside a legally designated protected area. 2. Poaching. One of the most serious and immediate risks to many species is poaching for wildlife trade. Wildlife are killed for the flourishing illegal international trade in their skins, bones, flesh, fur, used for decoration, clothing, medicine, and unconventional exotic food. The primary market for many of these products is outside Nepal and South Asia often in East Asia for items of presumed pharmacological utility. Poaching has become so intense that tigers have disappeared from many parks throughout Asia. Nowhere has the impact been greater than in India and Nepal which remain the bastions of tiger conservation. Nepal has emerged as the transit hub for the trade in illegal wildlife commodities destined for consumption in East China. 3 P age

4 3. Illegal trade. With South Asian countries accounting for 13-15% of the world's biodiversity, wildlife is a lucrative target of the trade. Victims of the trade are many and varied and they include the iconic tiger and elephant, the snow leopard, the common leopard, the one-horn rhino, pangolin, brown bear, several species of deer, birds and reptiles. 4. Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) has recently become one of the fundamental aspects of wildlife management as it represents the most widespread and complex challenge currently being faced by the conservationist around the world. The damage to human interests engendered by contact with such animals can include loss of life or injury, threats to economic security, reduced food security and livelihood opportunities. Of all the wild animals, the destruction brought about by elephants is the most pervasive for their wide ranging behavior, fidelity to their home range, large appetite, tendency and ability to destroy properties. 5. It is now clear that no one country acting alone can eliminate the perils to the region's wild resources. Close collaboration is needed among nations along the trade route, as well as the centres of consumption. Improved and more effective patrolling of protected areas (PAs) is one approach for addressing the poaching threat. Tackling this challenge calls for a regional approach. Accordingly, with a long-term vision to stabilize and if possible increase the population and habitats of critically endangered animals in South Asia, the project 'Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Wildlife Protection in Asia Project has been developed with the financial support of the World Bank s Regional IDA fund. The project proposes a regional program to help build synergies and to provide tools for more effective enforcement of the wildlife trade considering the fact that wildlife and habitats cross administrative boundaries and because knowledge and capacity vary widely across and within countries. The higher level objective of this project is to reduce illegal wildlife trade, address other regional threats and so enhance in situ conservation outcomes. 4 P age

5 Grant for the Dissertation With the aim to strengthen the capacity of the government staff to achieve the above objective, the National Trust for Nature Conservation which serves as the Project Coordination Unit (PCU) of the project, offers the opportunity to make research and prepare dissertations for ten Master final year students and ten Bachelor final year students affiliated either with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation or the Department of Forests under the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, Nepal, in the following topics: 1. Conservation issues of flagship species, 2. Poaching and illegal wildlife trade, 3. Habitat conservation and management, 4. Eco-tourism, and 5. Human-Wildlife Conflict All the researches in the above topics most attempt to address the issue of enhancing regional cooperation in wildlife conservation. The selected Master and Bachelor students will be working together with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), Department of Forests (DoF) and the PCU teams in the protected areas or wildlife corridors or buffer zones or national forests with particular focus in Terai having regional importance. The PCU-NTNC encourages timely completion of the Master or Bachelor degree. Application Process: To apply for the above positions, mail a dissertation proposal with a page of cover letter describing why you would like to join this project and a recent CV to the Project Coordinator, PCU-NTNC within August 30, 2013 (Friday, Bhadra 14, 2070). The proposal format is annexed with this document. Signed letters of support from the student s faculty dissertation advisor or head of the academic institution and affiliated institution are required. 5 P age

6 Eligibility The grant is open to Master and Bachelor candidates. Applicants must have completed all requirements for the dissertation work by the application deadline. The grant is restricted to students who are professionally affiliated either with the DNPWC or DoF. Any students who currently hold or have previously held a dissertation completion grant from any institutions are not eligible for this SRCWP grant. Signed letters of support from the student s dissertation advisor or the head of the academic institution and the head of the affiliated institution are required. Application Requirements Applications must be submitted electronically through and must include: A covering letter. A complete proposal as per the format in Annex 1, Signed letters of support from the student s dissertation advisor, head of the academic institution and the head of an affiliated institution, and A recent Curricula Vitae, Other Requirements A stakeholder presentation at the end of the research is mandatory. The final dissertation paper needs to be made available for publication on relevant websites including the PCU website. Regional cooperation in wildlife conservation must be reflected in each research. All the applicants encourage attending the pre-proposal meeting. Selection Process: Applications will be reviewed by a panel of experts. The panel will provide a list of shortlisted candidates. The panel may recommend with revisions to the research plan. 6 P age

7 The shortlisted candidates will be called for interview with a presentation of the proposal on September 19 and 20, 2013 (Thursday and Friday, Ashoj 03 and 04, 2070) and the final selection list of the candidates will be published on September 30, 2013 (Monday, Ashoj 14, 2070). The selected students will be fully or partially funded for their dissertations. Acknowledgement of Support and Disclaimer: An acknowledgment of support must appear in publications of any material, whether copyrighted or not, resulting from the support of the project similar to the language below: This material is based upon work supported by the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation through the Project Coordination Unit of Strengthening Regional cooperation in Wildlife Protection in Asia Project (SRCWP) at the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), Research Grant ID: SRCWP/NTNC/NS/05/.. Except for articles or papers published in scientific, technical, or professional journals, the following disclaimer must be included: Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation and the Project Coordination Unit, National Trust for Nature Conservation. 7 P age

8 Annex 1 Dissertation Proposal Format 1. Title 2. Background 3. Statement of Problem: a. what problem is the proposal addressing and attempting to solve? b. what is/are the background condition/s (context) of the problem? 4. Rationale of the Study 5. Objectives 6. Review of Literature 7. Methodology: How will the problem be approached and what methods will be employed to accomplish the stated objective. 8. Significance of the proposed research (to the scientific, community and society) 9. Why are you excited about the proposed research, and why should the reader be as well? a. How does the proposed research relate to what has already been done in this area? 10. Time Frame and schedule: A projected time frame with reasonable starting and ending dates for the proposed project 11. Budget (Financial Plan) All amounts should be rounded to the nearest whole NRs. A clear budget justification for each budget item is mandatory. The project will support only following budget items: field travel, lodging and food, stationery, supervisor s cost, Lab cost, and equipments, maps, etc, and miscellaneous cost. 12. Limitations of Study The completed thesis proposal should be no longer than 12 pages in A4 sized text, double-spaced with 1inch margins and 12 font size in Times New Roman. Only Headings should be bold. 8 P age

9 Annex-2 Proposal Evaluation Criteria The proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:- Priority area considering the thematic Area. ( 05 ) Originality, Creativity and Clarity ( 10 ) Use of Innovative and Scientific methodology to solve the problem. ( 15 ) Objectives ( 10 ) Utilization and Significance ( 05 ) Regional Conservation Issue ( 05 ) Appropriateness (10) Action Plan Budgeting and Time (5) frame to accomlish the project objectives (5) Academic Relevency. ( 05 ) Qualifications: ( 10 ) S.N Academic Level Division Third Second First Distinction Extra (G.S) 1 Certificate, Bachelor Presentation ( 25 ) S. N Total Mark Obtain Mark 1. Introduction Organization Content Visual Aid Discussion TOTAL 25 9 P age