The government of the Netherlands has agreed to provide through SNV/Nepal a grant assistance of Euro 14,649,777 to the government of Nepal including a sum of Euro 1,533,777 as technical assistance for the implementation of the biodiversity sector support programme, the Ministry of Finance said in a press release.

According to the press release, the programme would focus on poverty alleviation and productive biodiversity conservation through forestry sector development of the Terai, inner Terai and the Siwalik.

The programme will be carried out through the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, and local government bodies. The initial programme concentrates on assisting eight Terai districts of the Central Development region- Chitwan, Makwanpur, Parsa, Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahotari and Dhanusa.

District stakeholders will plan and implement the programme.