Five-year GEF-funded project to address human-wildlife conflict in tiger habitats
KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 10
The Ministry of Forests and Environment and WWF Nepal on Monday signed a project implementation agreement for a $4.5 million initiative aimed at managing human-tiger conflict and promoting coexistence in Nepal's tiger-bearing parks and buffer zones.
The agreement for the Global Environment Facility-8 (GEF-8) funded "Managing Human-Tiger Interface in Nepal" project was signed in the presence of Minister for Forests and Environment Madhav Prasad Chaulagain. The five-year project will be implemented by the ministry with WWF serving as the GEF agency and partner.
The signing follows a financing agreement inked on January 25 between Dr. Dhani Ram Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, and Dr. Ghana Shyam Gurung, Country Representative of WWF Nepal.
The $4,498,318 project will focus on improving habitat management, promoting livelihood alternatives, and enhancing knowledge-based management through four integrated components.
"This project reflects a shared vision for coexistence between people and tigers," Dr. Gurung said. "Through this initiative, we aim to catalyse community-led change and build sustainable models of human-wildlife coexistence that can be scaled and replicated across Asia's tiger range countries."
He added that the project addresses the increasing challenge of human-wildlife conflict as tiger populations recover and human settlements expand.
Nepal has long championed people-centric conservation, habitat management, and control of wildlife poaching and illegal trade - efforts that have led to significant gains in tiger populations. However, as human-wildlife interactions increase, the project seeks to promote collaborative and innovative approaches to harmonise development with conservation, WWF Nepal said.
Dr. Rajendra KC, Chief of the Planning, Monitoring and Coordination Division at the Ministry of Forests and Environment, said the agreement underscores the government's commitment to sustainable development.
"Investing in coexistence not only safeguards biodiversity but also enhances the resilience and well-being of local communities," Dr. KC said. "We thank the Global Environment Facility, Ministry of Finance, and WWF for their continued support and partnership."