Final Technical Progress Report July 01, 2002 December 31, 2003

Transcription

1 Eastern Himalayan Ecoregion Complex Global 200: Terai - Duar Savannas and Grasslands (#91) Final Technical Progress Report July 01, 2002 December 31, 2003 Strengthening Tiger Conservation in Terai Arc ( ) and Strengthening Forest Conservation in Terai Arc ( ) Submitted to: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 1120 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 900 Washington, DC USA Prepared by: WWF Nepal Program PO Box 7660, Baluwatar Kathmandu, Nepal info@wwfnepal.org December 2003

2 Final Technical Progress Report (a) WWF Project Numbers and Titles: Strengthening Tiger Conservation in Terai Arc ( ) Strengthening Forest Conservation in Terai Arc ( ) Country/Sub-region: Nepal (b) Projects Start Date: July 1, 2002 Projects End Date: December 31, 2003 (c) Reporting Period: July 1, 2002 to December 31, 2003 (d) Authorship: Terai Arc Landscape Team, WWF-Nepal Program (e) Executive summary: With generous funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation s Save the Tiger Fund, WWF has strengthened tiger conservation and habitat protection in the Terai Arc through implementing its model program of community based anti-poaching operations and further developing community forest user groups (CFUGs). Through these unique community based initiatives, WWF has been able to involve and support local people in the process of stewarding their own natural resources, while strengthening local support, not just among community members, but among government agencies and other nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Thanks to your commitment to ensuring a sustainable future for the Terai Arc landscape, WWF achieved the following: Tiger Conservation Established six community based anti-poaching committees that will manage and provide support for the anti-poaching teams in the field; Financed and supported the construction or renovation of range posts, CFUG offices, and community centers including a center with the capacity to hold 60 people; Organized and facilitated a two-day training on global positioning systems (GPS) and map utilization, with a focus on communicating how new technology and skills can be applied to anti-poaching operations; Capture of a notorious rhino poacher by an anti-poaching team and confiscation of 20 grams of tiger bone from an accomplice; and Confiscation of over 200 cubic feet of illegally harvested timber. Forest Conservation Established three new CFUGs, reviewed and revised four community forest operational plans, and handed over four community forests; Facilitated and funded 12 trainings, workshops, and site visits to build local capacity in silvaculture operations, fire control, and office management; Provided institutional support to 95 CFUGs; 1

3 Established seven seedling nurseries that produced over 60,000 quality seedlings for plantation in 41 ha of degraded lands (with more than 80 percent of seedlings surviving to the second year); and Founded six new eco-clubs, provided an orientation on facilitating the clubs to over 2,200 teachers, students, and community forest coordination committees, and brought together over 3,000 people to celebrate Wetland Day, Wildlife Week, and World Environment Day. (f) Introduction The Terai Arc spans an area of approximately 12.3 million acres (five million hectares) at the foot of the Himalayas on the Nepalese/Indian border consisting mainly of forests and grasslands. Within the Terai Arc are 11 protected areas that WWF and its partners are trying to reconnect into a continuous corridor for wildlife and humans. This is one of the world s most diverse landscapes, home to not only tigers, rhinos, and elephants, but also hundreds of bird species, 47 reptile and amphibian species, and 2,100 flowering plant species. In recent years, tiger and other wildlife habitat has been lost as millions of humans have moved into the area. Poaching for retribution, skins, and tiger bone has greatly contributed to the decline in this majestic species. The goal of the Terai Arc landscape program is to conserve the biodiversity, soils, and watersheds in order to ensure the ecological, economic, and cultural integrity of this important ecoregion. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation s Save the Tiger Fund supported two priority projects in the Terai Arc: strengthening tiger conservation and strengthening forest conservation. The following report details our successes in achieving results in these two priority projects. (g) Change There were no major changes during this reporting period. (h) Constraints WWF s ability to organize and mobilize groups of people was severely restricted due to the seven year old Maoist insurgency. Projects that dealt with education and travel visits were most affected by this challenge. (i) Goals and objectives Tiger Conservation: The overall goal of this project is to develop a sustainable community based anti-poaching network with vigilant communities working against poaching and other illegal activities. Specific objectives for this goal are: 1. institutionalize community based anti-poaching operations by developing a network of anti-poaching teams by mobilizing local communities; 2. provide basic facilities and acquire equipment necessary for anti-poaching teams to carry out their duties more efficiently; 3. strengthen community based conservation through capacity building programs; and 2

4 4. increase local awareness for tiger conservation and its benefits. Forest Conservation: To restore degraded forest corridors through formation and institutionalization of community forest user groups, plantation, natural regeneration, and capacity building of local communities. Specific objectives for this goal are: 1. support the formation of CFUGs where necessary; 2. strengthen existing CFUGs through training and capacity building; 3. support restoration of highly degraded community forests by providing seedlings and fences; and 4. provide alternative sources of income through skill development programs. (j) Progress Community Based Anti-Poaching Operations Objective 1: Institutionalize community based anti-poaching operations by developing a network of anti-poaching teams and mobilizing local communities. In order to manage and provide a framework of support for the anti-poaching teams in the field, WWF organized and implemented six community based anti-poaching committees. Committees were formed in Basanta, Khata, Chitwan, and Parsa (see Attachment I). These committees have proven effective at minimizing poaching activities in critical forest corridors and bottlenecks outside of protected areas (see success stories at the end of this section). This accomplishment is underscored by the fact that WWF achieved these goals despite the increasingly unstable political situation in Nepal. To date, WWF remains one of the only conservation organizations working in this region and we are undeterred by these challenges. Through extensive support from government line agencies, community based organizations, and the District Forest Offices (DFOs), WWF was able to implement this program in conjunction with sustainable development programs, such as community forestry, alternative income generation, alternative energy sources, and community services, which have won the strong support of many local communities and proved essential to our success in the region. Building on this strong community support, WWF has worked to link CFUGs, eco-clubs, and mothers groups to our anti-poaching operations, in an effort to broaden our support base and involve women to a higher degree (Attachment II). Community based anti-poaching committees serve as a way to identify potential and existing problem areas throughout the corridors, and are in charge of implementing antipoaching team patrol areas. Local park rangers act as coordinators for the committee, while committee members are selected from each anti-poaching team. Monthly meetings are held to report on community operations in the field. Anti-poaching teams are selected by committee from local community members, herders, wood collectors, and established CFUGs. Each team has five to ten members and 3

5 nominates a team leader. These teams are responsible for organizing small meetings at the community level to disseminate information about regulations and communicate the importance of biodiversity and the role of community forests in conservation. Objective 2: Provide basic facilities and acquire equipment necessary for anti-poaching teams to carry out their duties more efficiently. WWF provided support for the renovation of a number of range posts and CFUG offices in the Basanta forest corridor. These offices serve as meeting places for anti-poaching teams and CFUG groups. In addition to anti-poaching facilities, WWF supported the construction of a community owned multi-purpose activity center. This center provides a place for community meetings, anti-poaching team monthly meetings, and facilities for various trainings. In the Khata forest corridor, a community center with a capacity for 60 people is currently under construction near the Khata range post. The community forest coordination committee of Khata has taken the responsibility for the construction. This building will serve as a place for training, and in the future, it may be expanded to serve as a cooperative center to promote marketing of non-timber forest products in that area. Objective 3: Strengthen community based conservation through capacity building programs. Just this month, a two-day global positioning system (GPS) orientation and map reading training was organized for anti-poaching unit members in Dhangadhi. This exciting training brought 22 participants from the DFO in Kailali and Bardia together to learn about the newest in anti-poaching technology. Mr. Gokarna Jung Thapa of WWF-Nepal and Kanchan Thapa, the research officer for the program, designed and presented the training, providing insight into the valuable uses of this new technology. The objective of the training was to teach team members how to utilize GPS information in their efforts to stem illegal poaching. Participants will carry this newly acquired information and learning back to their own sites to share with other team members. Objective 4: Increase local awareness for tiger conservation and its benefits. Through our committed work to build strong local community support for tiger conservation, WWF has been able to increase the involvement of local communities in identifying poachers or potential poaching situations. What follows are some success stories of community involvement in anti-poaching activities. Equipment confiscated by an anti-poaching team in Khata. 4 In November of 2002, an individual was caught illegally encroaching on the forest corridor area of Basanta. Community members and informants quickly alerted the

6 DFO, which took immediate legal action against the plaintiff. In the Khata forest corridor, an anti-poaching and DFO team are working in cooperation to regularly patrol the national forest. WWF plans to organize a number of trainings, including: the use of GPS and map reading in anti-poaching operations, information gathering techniques, and reporting systems. The success we have achieved with community based anti-poaching operations has prompted WWF to plan to replicate this new approach to other parts of the Terai Arc landscape, including Mahadevpuri, Dovan, and Nawalparasi. On August 9, 2003, WWF s anti-poaching efforts in the Parsa region received a huge boost thanks to news of the capture of a notorious rhino poacher. In a joint operation between the Parsa Wildlife Reserve and the DFO of Chitwan, patrol teams succeeded in arresting a rhino poacher from the Bara district. Once captured, the poacher admitted to killing 17 rhinos over the past seven years. In addition to the poacher himself, two of his accomplices were also arrested, and 20 grams of tiger bone was seized from them. Since the implementation of antipoaching operations, over 200 cubic feet of timber has been confiscated. Illegally felled Sal timber and axes that were used during the operation were collected by a team in Khata. All illegal activities in and around national forests are reported to park rangers immediately. Timber confiscated by community based anti-poaching team in Khata Restoration of Degraded Forest Corridors Objective 1: Support the formation of CFUGs where necessary. In Dovan, three new CFUGs were established in Ranibas, Hattikot, and Rajarani. WWF also assisted the communities of Sisneri Damar, Chiridanda, Bandel Pokhari, and Pahel Pokhari in revising and preparing their community forest operational plans for review. Four community forests were delegated to communities in Matribhumi, Jhumsa Khulkhule, Gautam, and Beware Chiuridanda. These communities will steward 952 ha of forest. In Lamahi, the Chisapani forest was handed over to the local community, while the operational plan for Rapti s CFUG was revised (see Attachment II, Table 2). Objective 2: Strengthen existing CFUGs through training and capacity building. WWF provided financial support for 12 trainings that allowed members of existing CFUGs to attend workshops and visit other successful CFUGs. This exchange of information and experience is meant to strengthen already successful groups. In all, 371 people (261 men and 110 women) participated in the trainings. Activities included: 5

7 lessons on silvaculture operations, office management, fire control, and improved record keeping. An important success of these programs was the increased participation of women in forest management at the site level (see Attachment III-A, Table 3). Programs also focused on field-based demonstration at the local level, and were conducted in close coordination with DFOs, Community Forest Coordination Committees, and local NGOs. Community participation in seedling plantation. CFUG within the Terai Arc landscape. WWF provided critical direct and indirect support for established CFUG, and we provided institutional support for new CFUGs. In all, WWF supported 95 Objective 3: Support restoration of highly degraded community forests by providing seedlings and fences. Seven forest nurseries were established and managed to produce over 60,000 quality seedlings for distribution and planting during this project. These nurseries are owned and managed by the local communities. In July and August 2003, these seedlings were planted in over 41 ha of degraded lands. This restoration was guided by the seedling distribution mechanism developed by CFUGs for both private and community based plantations. The plan involved distributing seedlings free of charge to local farmers to encourage them to develop private plantations of their own. During earlier field monitoring, we found that more than 80 percent (a very high survival rate) of the seedlings survived on the previous year s plantation sites. DFOs provided extensive technical support for the CFUGs, like choosing species for plantation and pitting, and carrying out plantations on community owned land. Due to the DFOs involvement and the sincere and committed enthusiasm and participation of local people, many plantations have achieved high survival rates for their seedlings. CFUGs also restricted grazing through the enforcement of strict regulations, a positive step to reducing severe forest degradation. Since natural forest regeneration was adopted as the best way to restore degraded forest corridors, WWF has assisted local communities in zoning off already degraded forest area through the construction of fences or trenches. This initiative prevents over grazing and encroachment, and ultimately promotes natural regeneration. Given the chance, degraded forests regenerate very quickly, as the area supports a subtropical climate with fertile soils. In addition, seedlings established from natural regeneration are less 6

8 susceptible to harsh environmental conditions as compared with planted seedlings from nurseries, and seedlings regenerated naturally are less palatable for herbivores. Some of the degraded forests with no hope for natural regeneration are restored through plantation or enrichment plantation. During this project, regeneration was initiated in the community forests of Dovan and Lamahi, with a total of 623 ha of degraded forests restored in 2003 through natural regeneration in Khata and Basanta. Objective 4: Provide alternative sources of income through skill development programs. By growing non-timber forest product seedlings, CFUGs make income by selling these seedlings to CFUG members with a rate decided by the CFUG meeting. Conservation Awareness Six new eco-clubs were established in Lamahi to enhance conservation education among school children. Clubs are provided with a variety of conservation One year old non-timber forest product plantation in Lamahi, Dang related educational materials to assist teachers in communicating their message. Support for teachers is provided in the form of a training manual, which helps them identify techniques for making the lessons more practical and encouraging student involvement. To complement classroom learning, clubs prepare annual work plans as an extracurricular activity, and participate in seedling plantation and art competitions on conservation related issues, clean up campaigns, and conservation education programs (see Attachment IV, Tables 4 and 5). Eco-clubs are an essential part of disseminating conservation messages to the community. They help generate awareness and involvement among local people. On September 14, 2003, an orientation program was held in Lamahi for three high schools. Over 2200 teachers, students and Community Forest Coordination Committee members attended. An eco-club lecture at Lamahi. 7 We believe that conservation awareness is a key to the success of

9 any landscape level conservation program. Unless people understand the reasons for conservation of forest corridors and wildlife, their active participation cannot be expected. To generate awareness and build local capacity, WWF has launched audio visual shows, a lecture series, and orientation programs, all in an effort to strengthen understanding and participation in our efforts to conserve this ecoregion. Other public awareness activities have included Wetland Day, Audio visual show in Lamahi. World Environment Day, and Wildlife Week. Over 3,000 people came to celebrate these occasions. (k) Conclusion Through the generous support of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation s Save the Tiger Fund, within a relatively short period of time, World Wildlife Fund has been able to develop a good rapport with local communities, government line agencies, and NGOs and is now successfully advancing species and forest conservation in the Terai Arc landscape. It is because of these important collaborative relationships particularly with the Community Forest Users Groups, Community Forest Coordination Committees, and community based anti-poaching operations that we have been successful in implementing activities in the field, despite the political turmoil in the region. In short, both forest conservation and anti-poaching operations in this biologically rich yet threatened area are directly linked to successful engagement of the local people, organizations, and agencies who are both the stewards and beneficiaries of the Terai Arc s natural legacy. (l) Financial progress See attached financial report. 8

10 Participants SN Name Date Place Organizer Male Female Total Remarks Lamahi Bottleneck 1 Nursery Foremen Dec '02 Ghantadev CFCC CFUGs participated Training 2 Account Keeping Nov '02 Ghantadev CFCC CFUGs participated 3 New CF Group Management Training 3-5 Dec '02 Chaparkhola CFUGs participated 4 Aghoria (Leader to repair irrigation canals) Workshop 5 Study Tour 6 Field-Based CF Management (3 sites) April ' April '03 28 Mar-2 April ' Dec ' Dec ' Dec '02 Chaparkhola Ghantadev RCNP, Chitwan, Makawanpur and Sunsari Deuki CF Ghantadev Chaparkhola CFCC CFUGs participated 7 CFUGs participated CFCC CFUGs representatives DFO Ppts from 7 CFUGs Ppts from 2 CFUGs Ppts from 2 CFUGs 7 Forest Inventory 9-15 Feb '03 Lamahi DFO Rangers from four 4 Range Posts 8 Biodiversity Conservation in CF Lamahi DFO CFUG member 9 Planning Workshop Lamahi CFCC CFUG members 10 Gender Training Lamahi DFO CFUG members Dovan Bottleneck 1 Account and 29 June-1 July Dovan High Record Keeping '03 School hall CFCC CFs participated 2 Forest Fire Control April '03 Training April '03 Dovan CFCC events organized Total Attachment III-A Table 3: Capacity building programs for community forest management in the Terai Arc. 9

11 Attachment I Figure 1: Corridors and bottlenecks within the Nepal portion of the Terai Arc landscape. Table 1: Community Based Anti-Poaching Operation Committees in the Terai Arc landscape. Site Basanta Corridor CBAPO committee # of CFUG/ APO Team 1 Basanta 3 CFUGs 1 Masuria 9 CFUGs 1 Bhajani 10 CFUGs Members 15 (1Female) 45 (24 Female) 51 (8 Female) Remarks 1 Coordinator - Ranger, 1 Asst. Coordinator, 7 Executives in APO Coordination Committee 1 Coordinator - Ranger, 1 Asst. Coordinator, 13 Executives in APO Coordination Committee 1 Coordinator - Ranger, 1 Asst. Coordinator and 13 Executives in APO Coordination Committee Khata Khata 9 CFUGs Corridor (1 Female) 1 Coordinator - Ranger Chitwan 1 Chitwan Report yet to be received Parsa 1 Parsa CFUGs at VDC level 11 (Male) Total 6 32 CFUGs 168 Team formed only in Shankarsaraiya VDC

12 Attachment II Figure 2: Community based anti-poaching teams and committees. District Forest Office Community-based Anti-Poaching Coordination Committee Community Forest User (s) Community Forest User (s) Local APO Team Local APO Team Local APO Team Local APO Team Local APO Team CF Users Youth Clubs Mother Groups Local conservationists Local leaders Table 2: Community forests handed over to local communities in Dovan bottleneck in SN Name of CFUG Address Area (ha) Households Committee Members Remarks Dovan Bottleneck Community Forests Handed Over in Matribhumi Dovan Handed over 2 Jhumsa Khulkhule Dovan Handed over 3 Gautam Dovan Handed over 4 Beware Chiuridanda Dovan Handed over Total Community Forest Operational Plans Reviewed in 2003* 1 Sisneri Damar Dovan OP reviewed 2 Chiridanda Dovan OP reviewed 3 Badel Pokhari Dovan OP reviewed 4 Pahel Pokhari Dovan OP reviewed Community Forests Registered in Ranibas Dovan Hattikot Dovan Rajarani Dovan Lamahi Bottleneck Community Forests Handed Over in Chisapani Lalmatia - 7 Community Forest Operational Plans Revised 1 Rapti Lalmatia

13 Attachment III Figure 3: Community Forests handed over to local communities in Dovan bottleneck in 2003.

14 Attachment IV Table 4: Eco-club Activities Completed in Lamahi bottleneck in SN Activities Eco-Clubs 1. School compound maintenance Adarsh HS, 2. Garbage container installation Adarsh HS, 3. Flower garden establishment in school compound Adarsh HS, 4. Sports competition Mourighat HS, Sarbodaya HS 5. Mourighat, Mourighat, Sarbodaya, Sonpur, World Environment Day celebrated Bangaon, A. Janata 6. Plantation Mourighat HS 7. Cleaning campaign Mourighat, Mourighat, Sarbodaya, Sonpur, Bangaon, A. Janata 8. Drinking water tank repair Sarbodaya HS 9. Barbed wire fence-school compound Sarbodaya HS toilets Sonpur HS, Sonpur HS 11. Small bridge construction near school Sonpur HS 12. Bi-cycle stand Adarsha Janata HS 13. Local excursion - biodiversity observation/study Mourighat, Mourighat, Sarbodaya, Sonpur, Bangaon, A. Janata Table 5: Eco-club Activities Completed in Dovan bottleneck from Date Activity Date Activity May 3 1. Poetry competition Nov 'Women's Right' poetry Oct. 24 UN Day: debate comp May 10 Feb. 7 Debate Oct. 25 Volleyball comp. May 24 Feb. 7 Quiz competition Dec. 1 World AIDS Day: Rally June 5 Anti-Smoking Day: Rally and essay Dec. 5 Int. Volunteer's Day: Chess June 5 World Environment Day: Plantation Jan. 20 Feb. 2 1.Spelling (Eng.) 2.Spelling (Nep): June 10 Aug.9 Dec 13 Aug.12 Sept.27 Sept.28 Oct Folk song competition 2. 'Tij' song 3. Int. Literacy Day: Folk song 1. Essay competition 2. 'Tourism in Nepal' :essay 3. 'Green vegetable and health'; essay 4. 'Balance diet and health' essay March 8 March 21 March 23 March 15 Int. Mother Tongue Day 1. Int. Women's Day: Art comp. 2. Forest Fire: Speech comp 1. 'Drinking Water and Sanitation': writing 2. 'Dovan': Eco Journal publication