Lessons Learned
Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) is dedicated to conserving birds, their habitats and overall biodiversity through people’s participation, benefitting the people themselves.
For this particular project, CEPF support aided BCN to work on expanding ways by which local conservation groups could collaborate with the government authorities in managing each conservation site.
Ishana Thapa, Conservation Officer, Bird Conservation Nepal
What was the most important lesson learned?
Institutional development and capacity building at the local level, particularly among the youth, is very important for sustainable biodiversity conservation.
Describe how you learned this and whether / how you have adapted your approach or specific project elements as a result.
We selected eight existing local organizations as Site Support Groups (SSGs) to engage them in safeguarding the three KBAs (key biodiversity areas) in our CEPF project area, but what we found to be most interesting was that half of the SSGs identified were youth clubs who were very keen to be involved in conservation activities but who had less opportunity. We decided to take advantage of this rare and refreshing development.
We trained these SSGs in low-cost, participatory biodiversity monitoring using Indicator Bird Species. The SSGs also facilitated this training among the Forest User Groups (FUGs). The SSGs and the FUGs are now capable of doing regular monitoring of the indicator bird species along with the bird species of global conservation concern. With their support the conservation recommendation for the threatened species and their habitat has been included in the Operational Plan of the Community Forests. This is a very significant and sustainable local initiative for biodiversity conservation.
We also provided some institutional support to the SSGs to initiate conservation activities based on which they were able to generate local funds from District Development Committees and various Community Forests. This is a very good example of local resource mobilization in biodiversity conservation. Also of particular importance are the youth clubs who were previously more engaged in activities like football tournaments, health camps and cultural programs, but are now actively participating and supporting biodiversity conservation. As part of the institutional capacity-building element, we also provided them training on institutional fund-raising. With the knowledge gained, the SSGs are effectively performing and giving continuity to the biodiversity conservation activities by receiving grants and coordinating with the local groups and organizations.
Bird Conservation Nepal is developing the SSGs in similar ways in other IBAs/KBAs in Nepal. With the CEPF project we have also set up Nepal Bird Conservation Network through which the local SSGs can share their knowledge.
- March 30, 2010