Kathmandu, August 31:

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the government signed an agreement today clearing the way for a $13.1 million Western Terai Landscape Complex Project. The eight-year-long programme aims at ensuring conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the western part of Nepal’s Terai Arc. UNDP’s contribution to the programme will be $1.8 million, while $3.5 million will be put in by the Global Environment Facility, a UNDP press statement said. The rest will be provided by the government and other partner organisations.

The statement said the project would provide incentives for local communities to reduce pressure on biodiversity resources by strengthening community participation in conservation activities. The project area covers three districts — Kanchanpur, Kailali and Bardia.