The government has handed over the management of Kangchenjunga Conservation Area in Taplejung (KCA) to the local community.

Minister of State for Forest and Soil Conversation Gopal Rai formally handed over the management of the conversation area to the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council, a body of local community, amid a programme in Taplejung on Friday.

“This historic step is an important landmark in the history of biodiversity conservation in the country. It shows the commitment of the Government of Nepal towards the devolution of power to local communities, especially with regard to natural resources and equitable sharing of benefits,” a press statement issued by the WWF Nepal said.

Addressing the community members at the function, state minister Rai said he was convinced that local communities would show even greater commitment to saving the unique natural and cultural heritage of Kangchenjunga.

The Kangchenjunga Conservation Area Management Plan was submitted by the council to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, in July 2004 and was approved by the cabinet of the Government of Nepal on 31 August 2006. The goal of the management plan is that biodiversity of Kangchenjunga Conservation Area is managed by local communities to ensure ecological integrity and bring socio-economic benefits, according to the WWF.

The KCA Management Council was formed in 2000 and represents all stakeholders from seven Conservation Area User Committees, 44 User Groups, and 32 Mother Groups. These community-based institutions were involved in all Kangchenjunga Conservation Area Project activities, implemented by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation with the technical and financial support of WWF Nepal.

“This is a great day for the people of Kangchenjunga,” said Dawa Tshering Sherpa, chairman of KCA management council, adding, “We are ready to take this responsibility thanks to capacity building and local development supported by organizations like WWF.”

Dr Chandra P Gurung, the country representative of WWF Nepal, said. “The handover will be held up around the world as a positive example of people managing their natural resources and enable learning on how to make conservation more equitable and sustainable,”

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jill Bowling, Conservation Director of WWF UK and Mingma Norbu Sherpa of WWF US lauded the hand over of the conversation area to the community, expressing confidence that this would make the conservation efforts more effective.

Since 1998, WWF has invested US$ 1.5 million in the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area Project. “While the successful hand over of the conservation area to the local community is the biggest gain, there is less pressure on local forests and positive attitude towards wildlife conservation among the people. Wildlife poaching and illegal harvesting of valuable medicinal plants has decreased. Committees have been formed to monitor wildlife movement and illegal activities,” the release said.

The Kangchenjunga Conservation Area is known for its rich biodiversity, its spectacular scenery with Mount Kangchenjunga (8,586m), and rich cultural heritage represented by the 5,254 inhabitants living within the four Village Development Committees (VDCs) of Lelep, Olangchung Gola, Tapethok and Yamphudin. In support of WWF’s Living Planet Campaign, it was declared ‘A Gift to the Earth’ in April 1997.