Kathmandu, June 17: A project document for implementation of the Upper Mustang biodiversity conservation project was signed between His Majesty’s Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at the Finance Ministry the other day.
The total programme cost is estimated at US$ 2.215 million including the baseline cost of US$ 190,000, according to the Finance Ministry. The global environment facility (GEF) will provide US$ 0.75 million. UNDP has committed US$ 130,000 for the project.
Likewise, the American Himalayan Foundation (AHF) will provide US$ 0.75 million and ICIMOD US$75,000 for the project while King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC), which is designated as the implementing agency on behalf of HMG/N, will bear US$ 320,000 including baseline cost.
The main objective of the project is to conserve biodiversity of actual and potential value and preserve globally important habitats and biodiversity of the Upper Mustang.
Through the adoption of an ecosystem approach for conserving biodiversity, the activities of the project will involve building institutional capacity of the people to protect their environment, develop data collection of essential information and undertake demonstration activities in rangland management and tourism activities. The grant assistance will be utilised to support and strengthen the local governance and decentralised planning, coordination and implementation of development activities through social mobilisation.
The project is expected to bring rural peoplel of Upper Mustang together in self governing community institutions in order to enhance participation, increase accountability and mobilise additional local resources for creating better investment opportunities for local development.
Madhav Prasad Ghimire, joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Dr. Henning Karcher, resident representative of the UNDP signed the project document on behalf of their respective agencies.
His Majesty’s Government has expressed its sincere appreciation and thanks to GEF and UNDP for providing continued assistance and support in priority areas of rural socio-economic and natural resources management of Nepal.