The importance of conservation in Nepal
Located at the juncture of the Indian subcontinent and Asia proper, forests comprise over 44% of Nepal’s land mass, and the country boasts over 23% as an officially designated protected area. However, with 23.8% of the nation living below the poverty line, Nepal’s natural beauty and resources are threatened by haphazard infrastructure development, a gross overuse of natural resources, and continuing threats from climate shocks.
About the Hariyo Ban Program
Facing these challenges, the CARE-WWF Alliance began the Hariyo Ban Program, named after the famous Nepali saying ‘Hariyo Ban Nepal ko Dhan’ (healthy green forests are the wealth of Nepal).
The program aimed to reduce the adverse impacts of climate change and threats to biodiversity, emphasizing the links between people and forests. At the heart of Hariyo Ban lie two interwoven components – biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation including market based livelihoods. These are supported by governance, and gender and social inclusion as cross-cutting themes.
The program had three key priorities:
- Conserve Nepal’s forest and its wildlife
- Accelerate ecological and community resistance to climate change by empowering vulnerable women and communities
- Improve natural resources management and reduce threats to biodiversity