RASUWA: The Buffer Zone Support Project and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) have jointly spent Rs 239.3 million for the conservation of biodiversity in the Himalayan region of Nepal in the past ten years.

The expenditure incurred on biodiversity conservation in mountainous region was made public amidst a programme on Wednesday.

According to the report, spending had been done for conserving biodiversity including both flora and fauna in the Lantang National Park which covers areas of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchok district. Meanwhile, initiatives had also been taken for improving lifestyle of people residing in the buffer zones.

Addressing the programme, WWF Nepal Programme Coordinator RB Rai said that the conservation efforts included tree plantation and forest conservation, red panda and snow leopard preservation, community-based income generation programme and climate resilient initiatives.

Participants at the function gave suggestions to the organisations including, carrying out awareness programmes, census of snow leopard and red panda, and managing and conserving Gosainkunda area.