Panchase Bio-diversity Management Project

Machhapuchchhre Development Organization (MDO) has been implemented Panchase Bio-diversity Management Project under the support of UNDP/Global Environment Facility – Small Grants Programme (UNDP/GEF-SGP). The main goal of this PBMP is to manage bio-diversity of Panchase forest ecosystem as an integrated community-based approach thereby diversifying and strengthening local livelihoods in sustainable manner. Capacity Building and linkage development, alternative energy promotion, biodiversity conservation and livelihood enhancement activities are the major programmes carried under the PBMP.

Project Area

The project covers Panchase lekh and it’s adjoining three VDCs of three districts (Arther Dandakharka-Parbat, Bangsing-Syangja and Bhadure Tamangi-Kaski). After the completion of first phase of PBMP and effectiveness of the project second phase of the project being implemented from January 2008 to July 2010. Two VDCs of Parbat district namely Ramja Deurali and Chitre are extended.

Project Goal

To manage the Panchase Forest Ecosystem as an integrated, community-based, ‘biodiversity-landscape management project’, such that its geographic integrity, biodiversity richness, ecological processes and hydrological functions are maintained, while also ensuring that the requisite natural resources, or their alternatives, are provided to, and equitably distributed within, neighboring communities, and concomitantly diversifying and strengthening local livelihoods in a sustainable manner, thereby alleviating poverty and improving the quality of life for a broad array of local people in the participating communities.

Project Objectives

• To develop and strengthen local organizational and institutional capacities for good governance and improved service delivery.

• To increase awareness and adoption of alternative energy sources and other ‘green’ technologies’.
• To improve community-based biodiversity management.
• To develop diversified income generating activities.

Study of the Panchase about the Model of Conservation Area.

Protected areas are essential for bio-diversity Conservation. They are the cornerstones of virtually all national and international conservation strategies, set aside to maintain functioning natural ecosystem, to act as refuges for species and to maintain ecological processes that cannot survive in most intensely managed landscape and seascapes. Taking following objectives, NTNC formulate the Panchase Study team. The team members are Dr. Ridish Pokhrel (Associate Professor of IOF, Pokhara.

• To critically survey the Panchase area and identity most suitable community based management modality in consultation with local communities and other stakeholders
• To clearly define a governance structure for the management of the area.
• To define necessary preconditions for successful declaration of Panchase as protected area.
• To formulate a comprehensive and high standard management document to effectively manage the Panchase area.
• To provide all the available literatures for developing the document.

The final report of the study was submitted in the National Trust for Nature Conservation-NTNC and Interaction Workshop for the sharing of the study being completed in NTNC. The model for the conservation of Panchase focused for Community Based Conservation-CBC.

Impacts of the Program

a)   Effects on biodiversity

The vegetation of Panchase Forest has been better in comparison to the past. This was achieved by the massive plantation activities by the technical and financial support of project and actively participation of local community and CBOs members. Likewise, Panchase area is the main watershed area of Phewa Lake. In the last few years decomposition of soil in Fewa Lake is increasing day by day. So, the project helps to control soil erosion in the watershed area. The open grazing was controlled and encroachment was also prevented. Local People planted fodder and forest trees along their open land, homeland and other unutilized places, thus reducing the barren land. The Panchase area has now changed into greenery area.

b)   Effects on climatic change

In many areas of the project, in order to reduce the pressure on local forest and to improve health of the community people, the improved cooking stoves constructed. Improved Cooking Stoves was alternative energy which reduced the CO2 emission. This reduced Carbon dioxide gas emission in the environment. The demand for ICS is still increasing. Solar Tuki also reduced the use of Kerosene which helps to reduce the carbon emission.

Sustainable Livelihoods

The project has carried out activities for the sustainable livelihood. It has carried out   training to develop skilled human resources who can manage NTFP at the local level. Farmers have started seasonal and off season vegetables farming, Bee keeping, Coffee farming. These activities have generated additional income for the people. Saving and credit program through group formation are the sustainable means of income of the community. The proper management and effective implementation of the program has increased the funds of the group. Locally available resources natural, human and financial have been well mobilized and utilized. The forest conservation and well management has eased their lives in collecting fodders and fuel wood. The program has also provided them resources for developing micro enterprises.