Overall Scenario:

A total of 118 different ecosystems have been identified in Nepal, including 112 forest ecosystems, four cultivation ecosystems, one water body ecosystem and one glacier/snow/rock ecosystem. Nepal is ranked 25th and 11th positions in biodiversity richness in the world and Asia, respectively. Nepal occupies about 0.1 per cent of the global area, but harbors 3.2 percent and 1.1 per cent of the world’s known flora and fauna, respectively. About 5.2 per cent of the world’s known mammals, 9.5 per cent birds, 5.1 per cent gymnosperms and 8.2 per cent bryophytes are reported in Nepal. A total of 284 species of flowering plants, 160 animal species and 14 species of herpetofauna are reportedly endemic to Nepal. The diverse climatic and topographic conditions have also favored maximum diversity of agricultural crops, their wild relatives and animal species.

Biodiversity is closely linked to the livelihoods and economic well-being of most Nepalese people. Biodiversity relates to almost every aspect of Nepalese life, including agricultural productivity, food security, building materials, human health and nutrition, indigenous knowledge, gender equality, culture, climate, water resources and aesthetic value for society. The economy of Nepal is very much dependent on the use of natural resources. The country’s biodiversity is also an important source of revenue.

Biodiversity is a source of a range of goods and services. These are also considered low cost and locally suitable adaptation measures to moderate the negative impacts of climate change.

Over the past few years Nepal has experienced enormous challenges in conserving the country’s biodiversity, from the mountains to the Terai. Globally significant wildlife species such as Bengal tiger, greater one-horned rhinoceros, Asian elephant, gharial, Gangetic river dolphin and giant hornbill in Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) and snow leopard, red panda and musk deer in the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape (CHAL) are under threat. Species-specific regional conservation strategies are required to ensure their long-term survival. There are also major forest ecosystems in both TAL and CHAL that require protection.

The main threats to Nepal's biodiversity are (Nepal Biodiversity Strategy, 2002):

·         Encroachment/fragmentation and degradation of habitat

·         Poaching and illegal trade of key wild animals and plants

·         Unsustainable use of natural resources

·         Spread of invasive alien plant species

·         Human-wildlife conflict

·         Climate change (direct impacts)

·         Overgrazing by livestock

·         Fire, flood and landslide

·         Pollution of aquatic environments and changes in river flows

·         Large infrastructure development

Continued efforts:

In last three active decades on biodiversity conservation, the country has set up various institutions to deal on conservation, many policies were implemented and a strong legislation is into effect. With this on the backyard, it has still not been able to fully tackle the growing threat to biodiversity conservation that needs better coordination, cooperation, public participation, effective resource mobilization as well as strong trans-boundary and international support.

Despite of crunch in resources, many good initiatives were taken in the past and many succeeded. Conservation of endangered species like Rhino and Tiger were into the focus while executing a number of programs across the protected areas. Likewise, the country celebrated 2011 as the ‘zero poaching year’ as there was no poaching of rhino from 3 January 2011 to 3 April 2012, which is a milestone achievement in rhino conservation history. There was major achievement in wildlife crime control and significant numbers of criminals were arrested in last few years. As per the decision of Cabinet meeting chaired by Rt. Hon. Prime Minister on Mangsir 5, 2067 (21, November 2010) Wildlife Crime Control Coordination Committee and Bureau at different levels were established as statutory bodies to curb ongoing wildlife crimes 

·         For the first time, Nepal established the Chitwan National Park in 1973 for the conservation of biodiversity. Since then 10 National Parks, 6 Conservation Areas, 3 Wildlife Reserves and 1 hunting reserve covering 23.23% land area of the country have been established in Nepal. Nepal has several policies for the conservation of biodiversity. The National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973, Forest Act, 1993 and subsequent regulations have been effective policy instruments for biodiversity conservation.

·         Nepal is also a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), 1992 and has submitted five reports to the CBD. In an effort to promote biodiversity conservation, Nepal has prepared the National Conservation Strategy, 1988, Nepal Biodiversity Strategy, 2002 and its implementation plan 2006. The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2014 has been prepared with a vision of “conservation of biodiversity for sound and resilient ecosystems and national prosperity”.

·         A landscape management approach has been adopted for the effective conservation of biodiversity through the promotion of participatory protected area management programs for improved management of biodiversity and livelihoods enhancement. Regular population monitoring of some important wildlife species such as the rhino, elephant and tiger has been carried out. Increased rhino population in the recently completed rhino census is a sign that biodiversity conservation programs have been satisfactorily carried out.

·         Conservation of biodiversity takes place also outside the protected area with the active participation of the people. Community forests, especially in the mid-hills, have been restoring the forest ecology, which eventually will result in biodiversity conservation. The Forest Policy, 2071 also gives priority to biodiversity conservation with the active participation of people.

·         Nepal’s biodiversity is threatened by multiple factors. Nepal's Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity identified loss and degradation of natural habitats, such as forests, grasslands and wetlands due to the expansion of settlements, agriculture and infrastructure; overexploitation; invasion by alien species; and pollution of water bodies as the predominant threats to biodiversity.

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