TAL Implementation Plan handed over to govt

Kathmandu, February 16:

An extensive implementation plan for management and development of Terai Arc Landscape, the vast area covering 14 districts of the country, was handed over to the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation today.

The plan was prepared by the international management giant IBM, voluntarily for effective implementation of the proga-mme, designed five years ago. Dr Damodar Parajuli, the chief of Foreign Aid Coordination Division of the ministry received the plan. He said TAL is one of the best lan-dscape to conserve biodiversity and help uplift livelihood of indigenous people living in the area.

Implementation of the decade-long plan beginning 2004-2014 requires $190 million, of which only $60 million will be collected and spent in conservation of the area.

“Now it is time to find out donors to implement the plan,” said Dr Chandra Prasad Gurung, the country representative of WWF Nepal. He urged the government to immediately endorse the plan.

Donors like WWF-US are keen to continue supporting TAL programme, which falls under Eastern Himalayan eco-region, one of the priority eco-regions for WWF-US throughout the world.

Ginette Hemlety, the vice president of WWF-US said, “The TAL Implementation Plan gives us an indication of the resources required to TAL and we, along with our global network, are committed to raising funds to save this globally unique landscape for a living planet.”