PROJECT UPDATE
DSW Benefit Journey to ACAP Bhujung: A group of 20 DSW supporters/donors made a trip to Bhujung. The journey has provided them and opportunity to interact with local people and to see first hand information on Integrated Conservation and Reproductive Health Program (ICRHP).
With the financial assistance from DSW and GEO of Germany, ACAP has commenced a
specific program, the ICRHP in the eight Village Development Committees (VDCs) of Bhujung
sector since January 1998. The overall objective of the ICRHP is to ensure the sustainable
social and economic development of the people living in the 8 VDCs comprising the Bhujung
region while at the same time conserving the natural resources.
GEO Filming: GEO TV filming team from Germany visited Bhujung sector to film ACAP activities in general and the Reproductive program in particular. The documentary will be broadcasted in European Cultural Channel (ARTE) in early 1999.
Tikhedhunga Ulleri 2nd phase Microhydro Electricity Project: Agrant assistance from British Embassy has received for the construction of 40KW Tikhedhunga Ulleri 2nd phase Microhydro Electricity Project. A total cost for the construction of the project is NEs. 5400,000. The Embassy will provide 70% of the total cost and the rest from the local people. The first phase MHP was also supported by the British Embassy.
Nepal Conservation Research and Training Center (NCRTC)
Park Scouts Training: A two-week training on "community participation
techniques" for Park Scouts was conducted. A total of 20 participants representing
eleven protected areas and one Forest guard from District Forest Office, Chitwan
participated in this program. During this course, participants were taught and trained on
effective communication skills, different motivational and extension techniques while
dealing with the community. Participants were also trained on park patrolling, legal
issues and procedures, first aid techniques, and simple resource mapping.
They were also taken to buffer zone areas to have first hand knowledge on various activities carried out for community development. Since most of the participants had good experience but lacked writing skills, class lectures were structured towards group discussion, role-play, field exercise, group work and presentation. The participants were also taken to Ghandruk for field exposure.
School Greenery Program: Three schools from Bachhauli Village Development Committee and Kumrose Village Development Committee were selected for this project. In July 1998, a total area of 4.05 ha was completely fenced as the three-school plantation site. This project has been able to revive over 2700 ha of formerly degrade area by the end of 1998. Seriously degraded forestland turned into community woodlots that have self-responsibility been managed by the local users. There are about thirteen requests from neighboring schools for the replication of this activity. The total area coverage is 4.05ha. 10,044 saplings of fodder and fuelwood species were planted. A total of 1151 girls and 1485 boys participated and are directly expected to benefit from this program, by an increase in conservation awareness and the income from thinning, pruning and harvesting of the plantation site.
Bardia Conservation Program (BCP)
Training : Organized a one-week training on wildlife techniques for 13 game scouts
of the royal Bardia National Park The training was basically focused on different field
techniques on wild research. KMTNC and RBNP personnel with long field experience on
wildlife research served as resource person. Organized a one-week Junior Nature-guide
training for 8 local youth engaged in local lodges and hotels. KMTNC-BCP has been
conducting similar training since past 7 years.Organized a three-days training on forest
Management in Buffer Zone for the members of 24 user's group committees of Gola-Manau
area. The main objectives of the training were to enhance capacity among local communities
to manage forest resources in the buffer zone areas.
Nursery Establishment: Establishment of two Agro-forestry Nurseries in Betani and Banjaria. Both nurseries will be producing more than 20 different fodder, timber and fuel wood seedlings to be distributed among local communities. BCP believes that on-farm forestry program will ultimately help to reduce pressure on park resources.To reduce dependency on existing forest resources in the buffer zone as well as on park's peripheral forest areas, BCP has been launching alternative energy scheme in the buffer zone of RBNP. Under this program BCP has installed a total of 20 bio-gas plants during last three months in Thakurdwara, Suryapatuwa and Gola VDCs.Under skill development scheme, BCP has been organizing sewing and tailoring training program in the buffer zone around south western section of RBNP. During last three months BCP provided sewing and tailoring training for 45 local women of different ethnicity from Thakurdwara and Suryapatuwa VDCs. To retain acquired skills among trainees, BCP provided sewing machines in a subsidized price for 41 trainees.
Prize Distribution Ceremony: On the auspicious occasion of the 54th Birthday celebration of His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, a prize distribution ceremony of FOZ on-the Spot Quiz Contest and the Essay Competition were organized at the Central Zoo. The Chief guest Honorable Buddhi Raj Bajracharya, Mayor of the Lalitpur Sub-Municipality distributed the prizes to the winners of Essay and Quiz competitions.
Exhibition: A Bird Fair 1999 Exhibition was held at the Bird Section of the Central Zoo on 12 to 13 February 1999. It was jointly organized by the Central Zoo and the Bird Conservation Nepal. At the Exhibition photos and posters were displayed, audio and visual slides were shown and live talks were held.
Book Release: A book release program was held on 2nd February 1999 at the Visitor Center of the Central Zoo. The book named Nepal Tiger was published by the Explorer Nepal Weekly on the occasion of Nepal Tiger Year 1998.
FOZEC Fund Release Program: A discussion and fund Release Program for the Friends of the zoo ECO-club (FOZEC) Schools was held on 21 February 1999. The program was focused on briefing on accomplished projects of FOZEC. Six FOZEC holding schools including FOZEC Executive Members participated in the program.
Animal Management: The Central Zoo has become a very favorable and comfortable place for Common Langurs, which are giving birth to babies every year. Common Geese and Rabbits are also excellent breeders of the Zoo. So is the case with Black Buck and Spotted Deer.
Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP)
Manaslu region declared the fourth Conservation Area in Nepal
His Majesty's Government of Nepal has declared Manaslu region the fourth Conservation Area in the country. Manaslu Conservation Area (MCA) covers the seven northern Village Development Committees (VDC) of Gorkha District - Samagaun, Lho, Prok, Bihi, Chumchet, Chhekampar and Sirdibas VDCs. The area of the MCA is 1,663 sq. km. with a population of 9,000 people. The management of the conservation area has been handed over to the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation for the next ten years.
Kerosene Depot: The trird kerosene depot was established at Samagaun. The first being set up at Philim and the second at Namrung.
Training: Two persons from the project area have been sponsored for Certified Medical Assistant training at Gorkha Technical School.
Exposure tour: 14 local leaders from different management committees, including members of the Ama Toli (women groups) were taken on an exposure trip to ACAP and NCRTC.
[Introduction]
[Mission and Guiding Principles] [Governing
board]
[Ongoing projects] [Project Update] [Newsline] [Focus] [Green
Watch]