TERMS OF REFERENCE. for. Analysis of conservation policies of Nepal and building the capacity of WWF NP on policy engagements

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1 TERMS OF REFERENCE for Analysis of conservation policies of Nepal and building the capacity of WWF NP on policy engagements I. Background: WWF is the leading global conservation organization working for the last 4 decades in Nepal. It is a network based organization established in In Nepal, WWF started its support in the conservation of large species like Rhino, Tiger and Elephant in Terai starting Since then, WWF is working in the conservation field supporting the government of Nepal towards protection of the unique biodiversity of the country. Currently, WWF is supporting 4 major conservation and development projects, both at Terai and in the mountains jointly with the government, local communities and civil society organizations. With the increasing learning gathered through the implementation of conservation programs, WWF is constantly in the process of adopting these learning in the planning and monitoring process. To this end, all the WWF supported projects have developed monitoring framework for all the conservation activities. While WWF supported projects focus more and more on project level delivery, the emphasis on policy front has been minimal. In the beginning of 2005, WWF Nepal with the support of WWF UK had conducted a brainstorming session on gaps in policy analysis, which revealed gaps particularly in institutional capacity to undertake policy analysis and understanding of it for implementation in the ground. Based on these findings, project logframes and monitoring frameworks and annual activities were amended with the objective of addressing such gaps. II. Objectives of the work: The objectives of the consultancy work are analysis of the sectoral and cross sectoral policies having an impact on conservation and identify the gaps there in. Furthermore, this work will also help enhance the capacity of WWF staff for policy and advocacy related engagements in the ground. The specific objectives of the consultancy are: Analysis of sectoral and cross sectoral policies in order to identify, rank and get engaged with the policies having greater impact on conservation at large and the functioning of WWF and its field programs in particular. Detail analysis of key sectoral and cross sectoral policies with the aim of future engagement in the policy front. Recommended actions for WWF NP and its projects for their engagement in the policy and advocacy in future. 1

2 Capacity building of WWF NP on the policy analysis and understanding pertaining to sustainable livelihoods, monitoring and advocacy. III. Methodology: The consultant is expected to develop a work plan and framework of methodology to deliver the desired outputs. The work plan and framework of methodology will be presented and defended by the consultant during the course of a presentation to the WWF Program Team. Such methodology should be developed based on but not limited to the following: Information collection: Information collected from various organizations working on conservation sector; Primary data: The institutional memory of the professionals, personal communication and workshop discussion, field visits and tools like standardized open-ended interview, focus group discussions with key-informants and workshop discussion; Secondary data: Collection of information published or unpublished available in the public domain or in special domain to the extent available; Case study: Special case studies for issues of special concern, particularly in the light of the changing socio-political condition in the landscape; Workshop and training sessions: Capacity building of the WWF staff members. It is recommended for on-the-job training using real life examples; Policy prioritization: jointly with key partners through workshops or other relevant methods. IV. Expected Outputs: Detail analysis of the key policies relevant to the work of WWF NP in the areas of conservation and sustainable livelihood. Prioritization of the policies for WWF NP and its programs to intervene in order to make them more relevant and effective in delivering conservation results. Analysis of at least three key prioritized policy for the engagement of WWWF and its projects Enhanced capacity of WWF NP in policy prioritization, analysis and advocacy. Development of key steps for policy feedback, policy engagements and policy dialogue in future. Key recommendations for WWF NP for its future engagement in policy and advocacy. V. Study area: In strict sense, policy analysis will not be confined to a particular area. The information below is more to help plan the field working sessions. The consultant is expected to perform the task with understanding 2

3 of the WWF s missions and objectives as well as its field projects and programs in the ground. WWF is working in the ground with the government and other partners through the formulation of time-bound projects. Currently, WWF has 3 major project s in the field. These are 1. Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) 2. Sacred Himalayan landscape (SHL) a. Kanchanjungh Conservation Area Project (KCAP) b. Sagarmatha Community Agro-forestry Project (SCAP) 3. National Priority area a. Northern Mountains Conservation Project Starting July 2007, WWF NP will work in eastern Terai districts under its Terai program TAL. The major focus will be biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods of the local communities in the identified critical sites. Similarly, under the SHL, WWF will continue working in and around protected areas and will expand its activities outside protected areas. The focused districts are districts of the middle hills. In addition, Kathmandu valley will be yet another working site in relation to conservation education. The detail project description is available as a secondary data source to the consultant. Short description of the project area and general focus of the conservation project are given in Appendix 1. VII. Deliverables 1 Report with identified priority policies for WWF engagement 2 Report with analysis of 3 priority policies 3 Report on the training of WWF staff in policy and advocacy engagements Delivery schedule 1. Preliminary draft report (digital and hard copy) of the assignment by May Final report (digital and hard copy) of the assignment by June Digital and hard copy of data collected and analyzed, model, diagrams 4. Financial report with all relevant documents by June Other relevant documents procured under this contract VIII. Duration of the consultancy: 4 months in the period between February June

4 Appendix 1. Project areas and focus of WWF Nepal 1 The Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) The Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) encompasses the only remaining natural habitat on the outer foothills of the Himalayas extending from the Bagmati River (Nepal) in the east to the Yamuna River (India) in the west, covering an area of 49,500 sq. km.tal is also one of the most biologically diverse habitats on earth with 86 species of mammals, 550 species of birds, 47 species of herpeto-fauna, 126 species of fish, and over 2100 species of flowering plants. TAL is an area of global importance for biodiversity and for this it has been identified as a Global 200 site and is a Focal 25 ecoregion (Terai-Duar Savannahs and Grasslands) of the WWF. The remaining 75 percent lowland forest of Nepal in Terai Arc Landscape serves critical link between networks of 11 transboundary protected areas as well as biological corridors for flagship and mega fauna species such as elephants, tiger and rhino in trans-border protected areas of Nepal and India. In addition to biodiversity Terai forests is necessary play a key role in meeting the nation s demand for timber and other forest products. Conservation of the Churia forests is also crucial for preventing loss of topsoil, soil erosion, flash floods, and recharging the water table of the Terai, the most productive land and often referred to as the rice bowl of the country. Sustainable management of TAL will simultaneously help maintain biological diversity and help Nepal meet the national demand of forest products and food supply for its rapidly growing human population. Under the current management modes all Terai forests are managed as production value forests thus undermining the biodiversity value and the ecological/ecosystem services that they provide. Scientific studies (Wickramanayeke 2004) to delineate boundaries of TAL identified some forested areas within the landscape that are critical to the maintenance of landscape (spatial) and ecological (function) integrity. However these forests referred to as corridors and bottlenecks are still being managed under the conventional system of production forests. Currently, five critical areas are areas of interest to WWF. These are two corridors and three bottlenecks discussed in the following sections. a. Basanta Corridor: The Basanta forest covering 113.5km 2 is the only remaining forest connecting Royal Sukla Wildlife Reserve and Royal Bardia National Park in Nepal to Dudhwa National Park India through the Churia foothill forests. This site has one of the highest levels of forest conversion through forest encroachments for agriculture and settlements. Though Basanta has one of the largest patches of lowland forest in Terai there is high pressure from immigration, poverty, high population growth rates and large free grazing livestock population b. Khata Corridor: Also known, as Katarnia is the connection between Royal Bardia National Park in Nepal and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, in India. This corridor may in future also link Dudhwa National 4

5 Park in India and RBNP. The forests along this corridor is surrounded by Karnali River in the west, Aurahi river, Suryapatuwa, and Dhodari VDC s in the east, Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in the south and RBNP buffer zone in the north c. Dovan Bottleneck- includes Dovan Village Development Committee (VDC) in Palpa district. The Siwalik foothill forests in this bottleneck are the critical remaining linkage between the Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP) in the east and the forested areas and protected areas in the western part of the TAL. d. Lamahi bottleneck: This is one of the major bottleneck areas, located along the forest corridor between Royal Bardia National Park and Royal Chitwan National Park. This site is situated in Dang district of Nepal where community forestry is considered to be most successful in terms of handing over to communities for management. However the Churia forests in this site is very degraded and there is a severe problem of overgrazing and forest fire e. Mahadevpuri Bottleneck: This is another major bottleneck area, located along the forest corridor between Royal Bardia National Park proposed extension area and government managed forest of Banke district. Mahadevpuri bottleneck is the dispersal corridor for tigers in the RBNP. Currently, TAL program is being implemented only in Mahadevpuri VDC. Being close to a major urban center-nepalgunj, some of the threats to forests are in illegal collection of fuel wood, timber, and wildlife poaching. f. Protected areas and buffer zones There are two national parks and two wildlife reserves within the TAL boundary. All the four protected areas have buffer zones declared in different time period. The management mode, enabling policy environment and livelihoods opportunities are different within the protected areas and the buffer zones. Unlike in other management Protected Areas Areas (ha) Royal Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (RSWR) 30, % modes, protected RSWR Buffer Zone 24, % areas are not Royal Bardia National Park (RBNP) 96, % confined to a RBNP Buffer Zone 32, % individual political district. Therefore Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP) RCNP Buffer Zone 93,200 75, % 3.23% the coordination Parsa Wildlife Reserve (PWR) 49, % mechanism and PWR Buffer Zone 29, % synchronization Total Protected Areas 270, % with existing Total Buffer Zone 161, % policy and practice is challenge to these units. g. District forests 5

6 TAL program focuses on several conservation and development activities in districts level. Altogether the work lies within the jurisdiction of districts. These are starting from east: Rautahat, Bara, Parsa, Makawanpur, Chitwan, Nawalparasi, Rupandehi, Kapilbastu, Palpa, Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur. Generally, leveraging is major strategy while working at districts levels. h. Eastern Terai Starting July 2007, WWF will work on key sites in at least three of the eastern districts. The work will be focused in the following sites Jhapa district: Bahundagi and Jalthal area Morang district: Madhumalla and Betini Sunsari district: Ramdhuni forest Udayapur district: Trijuga valley 2. Sacred Himalayan Landscape The Sacred Himalayan Landscape (SHL) is a transboundary landscape covering an area of 39,021 square kilometers, of which about 73.5% falls in Nepal, 24.4% falls in Sikkim of India and the remaining 2.1% falls in Bhutan. It extends from Langtang National Park in central Nepal through the Kangchenjunga region in Sikkim and Darjeeling in India to Toorsa Strict Nature Reserve in western Bhutan The northern boundary of the landscape coincides with international boundary with Tibet (China). The SHL Strategic Plan is under formulation through a joint partnership between HMG Nepal (led by Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation), ICIMOD, The Mountain Institute (TMI), IUCN and WWF. The Sacred Himalayan Landscape is unique in many ways, but specifically rich biodiversity, culture and ecosystem services are its pronounced features. In terms of the topography, SHL represents elevations ranging from 139m in India to 8,848m, the highest point on the land mass as summit of the Mount Everest in Nepal. The high topographic diversity and related climatic diversity give rise to significant ecological gradients which gives rise to high ecosystem diversity over relatively small areas. This, in turn, leads to a large diversity and complex mosaic of habitats, many of which are unique. The harsh and rapidly changing climatic conditions mean that many habitats and species exhibit high resilience. The landscape includes and retains two globally important contiguous forest areas of Alpine Scrub and Meadows and Broadleaf and Conifer Forests. These harbour numerous important flora such as oaks (Castanopsis and Quercus), rhododendrons and Himalayan larch (Larix griffithiana), and globally threatened fauna, including the mystical snow leopard (Uncia uncia), takin (Budorcis taxicolor), musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), red panda (Ailurus fulgens), and several pheasants. The landscape significantly hosts many wild relatives of commercial species, and important on-farm genetic biodiversity (both crop varieties and livestock races). 6

7 Likewise biodiversity, SHL is unique and important in terms of socio-economic, artistic, spiritual and recreational aspects. The landscape includes a diverse array of ethnic groups and human cultures. More than 40 languages are spoken throughout the landscape, representing different ethnic groups, traditions and land management practices. Belief in Buddhism, Hinduism, and a varying blend of both beliefs cuts across all these groups. Beliefs in hidden lands or beyuls, and hidden treasures or ters are often linked to the idea of conservation areas for human and nature. In addition, mountains in the Himalayan range such as Sagarmatha (Mount Everest), Kanchanjunga, and Jumolhari are held sacred by the indigenous people living near them. The ecological processes supported in this landscape also represent critical ecological services. For instance, Snow caps, glaciers and water towers and the rivers that cascade down the Himalayan slopes support livelihoods and lives of thousands of people who live within the landscape, and millions beyond its bounds. Although SHL is presently sparsely populated with over 5 million people, its inhabitants face abject poverty. Agriculture and tourism are dominant livelihood strategies adopted by over 80% people in the SHL. In high altitude regions, transhumance is still an important way of life and culture. Much of the landscape is largely left out of development initiatives. Remoteness, poor communications and infrastructure also impede the development of market linkages for forest and agricultural products. Governance is largely weak and benefit sharing from natural resources is marked by conflict and inequities. SHL priority areas for action 1. Disjointed and fragmented areas In the SHL, a number of smaller areas of forests have been identified that remain isolated from the main or larger contiguous forested areas and numerous segmented and narrow fingers which are disjointed from the core contiguous forested areas. Therefore, SHL priority actions will be concentrated in those areas to keep habitats intact or rehabilitate degraded areas. This will primarily include activities such as management of habitats for endangered animals like snow leopard and red panda, restoration of forests outslide protected areas. 2. Land Cover and Land Use In general, lands very suitable for agriculture are rare in mountain and hilly regions of the SHL, owing to the combination of topography and extreme climates. The SHL contains a considerably higher proportion of land that is suitable for rainfed crops only. However, suitability for agricultural production can be considered both as a potential service provided by mountain systems and a threat to existing biological diversity in the SHL. On the one hand, soil erosion from mountain slopes can be rapid once the original 7

8 vegetation cover is removed, particularly on sites where soils are immature with low humus content. On the other, agricultural intensification includes greater use of existing land as well as conversion of new land. The agricultural pressure in some areas of SHL is such that even marginal lands, including slope greater than 60, have been cultivated to plant crops producing low yields. The activities to be carried out under landuse changes will particularly address following problems: Charistamtic wild animals including snow leopards are endangered mainly by habitat degradation which is increasing with increasing settlement in formerly pristine wilderness regions. The use of external input (pesticides/fertilizers) in agricultural lands are increasing which are driven by liberalized market policies and pressure for increased agricultural production Over-grazing 3. Poaching and illegal trade A large population in the SHL have low levels of awareness on the richness of its biodiversity and also about endangered or threatened plant and animal species. Although sustainability of many economically exploited plant species are unknown, many rare and endemic plants suffer unsustainable exploitation, particularly Non-timber forest products (NTFPs). On similar note, poaching, illegal trade of endangered wild animals and retaliatory killing are also a growing problem These pose greater problems mainly to critically endangered species including snow leopard and red panda. Although the pressure for poaching and illegal trade is mostly generated outside the SHL, usually marginalized SHL people are lured into the business with the serious consequences for them and the landscape which supports them. In the SHL- Nepal, one of the priority action will therefore be to generate local awareness about richness of biodiversity and endangered plants and animals. 4. Community Vulnerability In fragile resource zones of the SHL, the process and factors generating environmental and social vulnerabilities tend to reinforce each other. In the SHL, vulnerability, hazard and risk are omnipresent. SHL mountains are highly prone to natural disasters due to unstable geology and extreme climate. Landslides are the most common natural disasters in this region caused by intense seasonal precipitation during monsoons. Higher elevations in the SHL are predominated by snow avalanches and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). This landscape is also subject to a powerful hazard-triggering factor, i.e., earthquakes. Forest Fires are known to occur in a number of areas. The WWF priority will include working in areas exhibiting higher levels of vulnerability and undertaking activities such as developing adaptive mechanisms and investing in micro-hydro. 5. Culture and conservation Although the SHL is profuse with natural and cultural heritages, and traditional and ecological knowledge practices, these have been inadequately utilized as platforms of conservation. Furthermore, farming 8

9 systems in the SHL that present a mosaic of distinct agriculture and livestock production systems, representing various agro-ecoregions, have been severely neglected. Given this nature of culture and conservation associations, WWF s priority work will be in the areas of resource governance and conservation of sacred natural and heritage sites. 6. Poverty and conservation links Poverty in SHL is a complex outcome of interacting processes, where population dynamics, social and political marginality, inequitable access to resources, lack of livelihood opportunities and basic services and increased vulnerability, to name some critical factors, combine to create ecologically unsustainable and insufficient living conditions. Given the severity of conflict situation in rural SHL, the major livelihood activity, i.e., agriculture, has suffered from acute labour shortage because of massive exodus of people migrating to cities and urban areas. Household survival strategies have shifted from agriculture and tourism to participation in informal sectors, including temporary migration for overseas employment and increased participation in local wage labour. These suggest that livelihood and coping strategies are rapidly under diversification in the SHL. For WWF, the major areas of focus will be on generating alternative livelihood opportunities, for example, through NTFP based income generation, ecotourism. Where possible, a limited number of activities will be carried out for developing coping mechanisms/strategies for extreme events and conditions. Priority areas in the SHL In the SHL four areas have been identified and activities in those areas have also been categorically defined. These include: 1. Upper mountainous belt: A. Protected and conservation areas (Sagarmatha NP, Langtang NP, KCAP) and a few areas outside protected areas 2. Lower middle hills: A. One region covering all or parts of Ilam, Panchthar, Dhankuta, Tehrathum districts; B. One region covering all or parts of Khotang, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, Bhojpur; C. One region covering Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk, Dolokha, Ramechhap National Priority area- Northern Mountains Conservation Project (NMCP) The Northern Mountains Conservation Project (NMCP) is being implemented in Shey-Phoksundo National Park (SPNP) and its buffer zone area (BZ) in Dolpa and Mugu districts since The Shey-Phoksundo National Park (SPNP) is the largest National Park of Nepal (3,555 sq. km). It was gazetted as a national park in 1984 and later in 1998, an area of 1349 sq. km around the SPNP was declared as the Buffer Zone, which includes 9 VDCs in Dolpa and 2 VDCs in Mugu district. The SPNP represents northern mountain region of Nepal with the unique collection of flora and fauna of trans-himalayan ecosystem, 9

10 including rare, endangered, and endemic medicinal plants and the prime habitats for snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, musk deer, blue sheep and several endangered wildlife species. It is equally unique for its diverse sociological and cultural resources including the practitioners of oldest Tibetan religion, Bon and a human settlement at the highest altitude in the world in Dho-Tarap valley. Due to its rich natural, social and cultural diversity, it has been proposed as a World Heritage Site. However, much of these resources in the northern mountain region have been lost due to loss of forest coverage and over-exploitation of certain species of plants for trade and local use. A number of threats emanate from the over exploitation of natural resources for fuel, fodder, manure, grazing, trade of wildlife species in terms of furs, skins, bone, musk pods and export of orchids and medicinal plants. Lack of income generation opportunities and alternatives, unsustainable use of natural resources, lack of awareness and inadequate data for monitoring endangered wildlife species like snow leopard and musk deer have been the prime problems for biodiversity conservation in the SPNP and other protect areas in the northern mountain regions. The goal of NMCP is to conserve biodiversity in SPNP BZ area by strengthening the capabilities of local user groups, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and SPNP staff to carry out integrated development and conservation initiatives in the protected area and the buffer zone by: Promoting sustainable economic growth that increases local incomes Strengthening management systems of medicinal and aromatic plants and primary health care to achieve sustainable use of plant resources. Improving coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders for strengthened governance of natural resources conservation of SPNP BZ area. Katmandu Valley In Kathmandu area, awareness related activities will be carried out. One of the important thematic area covered in Kathmandu is the CITES sensitization. General awareness is carried out across diverse stakeholders including law enforcement officials, judiciary officials and general public. School based ecoclubs will be institutional vehicle in various sensitization activities. Kathmandu level involvement of WWF is now being framed. Coordination at department and ministry level on policy related issues, and participation at cross sectoral programs are some of the areas of WWF s involvement. 10