National Ramsar Strategy and Action Plan (2018-2024)

NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) Government of Nepal Ministry of Forests and Environment Government of Nepal Ministry of Forests and Environment Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-1- 4211567, 4211936 Fax: +977-1-4223868 NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) Government of Nepal Ministry of Forests and Environment List of contributors Dr. Maheshwar Dhakal, Chief, Environment and Biodiversity Division, Ministry of Forest and Environment Mr. Krishna Prasad Acharya, Director General, Department of Forest Mr. Man Bahadur Khadka, Director General, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Mr. Dhananjaya Lamichhane, Under Secretary, Ministry of Forest and Environment Dr. Bishnu Bhandari, Wetland Expert Dr. Shant Raj Jnawali, Chief of Party, WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program Dr. Kanchan Thapa, Technical Advisor, WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program Mr. Kapil Khanal, Sr. Program Officer, WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program Mr. Suman Dhakal, Program Officer, WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program Mr. Rajesh Sada, Fresh Water Lead, WWF Nepal Dr. Deep Narayan Shah, Wetland Expert, Tribhuvan University Dr. Ram Devi Tachamo Shah, Aquatic Ecologist, Kathmandu University Publisher: Ministry of Forests and Environment, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal Citation: Ministry of Forests and Environment 2018. National Ramsar Strategy and Action Plan, Nepal (2018-2024). Ministry of Forests and Environment, Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal Cover photo credits: Front Cover - Fewa Lake © WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program/ Nabin Baral Back Cover - Beeshazari Lake © WWF Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program/ Kapil Khanal © Ministry of Forests and Environment 2018 NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) iii NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) v ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS CEPA Communication, Education, Participation and Awareness CODEFUND Conservation Development Foundation CSUWN Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands in Nepal DNPWC Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation DOA Department of Agriculture DoF Department of Forests DoT Department of Tourism DSCWM Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management GDP Gross Domestic Product GoN Government of Nepal IAS Invasive Alien Species ICIMOD International Center for Integrated Mountain Development ILBM Integrated Lake Basin Management IRBM Integrated River Basin Management IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature KTWR Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve MoCTCA Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation MoALMC Ministry of Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperatives MoFE Ministry of Forests and Environment MoFSC Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation (now MoFE) MoFAGA Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration MoEWRI Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation MoICT Ministry of Communication and Information Technology MoPIT Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transportation MoUD Ministry of Urban Development MoDW Ministry of Drinking Water NARC Nepal Agricultural Research Council NBSAP Nepal National Biodiversity and Action Plan (2014-2020) I/NGO International/Non-Governmental Organization NLCDC National Lake Conservation Development Committee NPC National Planning Commission NPR Nepali Rupees NWP National Wetland Policy 2012 PAs Protected Areas PES Payment for Ecosystem Services REDD++ Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation RLRFC Rupa Lake Restoration and Fishery Cooperative US$ United States Dolor WECS Water and Energy Commission Secretariat WWF World Wildlife Fund Nepal ZSL Zoological Society of London NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) vii TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD .........................................................................................................................................................................III ACRONYMS ..........................................................................................................................................................................V TABLE OF CONTENTS ..............................................................................................................................................................VII LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................................................... VIII PREAMBLE ..............................................................................................................................................................................IX CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND ......................................................................................................................................................1 1. 1 Understanding Wetlands ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 1. 2 Nepal’s Response to the Ramsar Convention ...................................................................................................................... 1 1. 3 Extent and Coverage of Wetlands in Nepal ......................................................................................................................... 2 1. 4 Importance of Wetlands ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 1.4.1 Species Diversity ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 1.4.2 Provisional Services ................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.4.3 Cultural Services ......................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.4.4 Regulating Services.................................................................................................................................................... 4 1.4.5 Supporting Services ................................................................................................................................................... 4 CHAPTER 2: INSTITUTION, POLICIES and PRACTICES FOR RAMSAR IMPLEMENTATION ..............................................................7 2.1 Existing Institution ................................................................................................................................................................. 7 2.2 Policy/legal Instruments ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.3 Practices ................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 2.3.1 Integrated Watershed Management Approach ........................................................................................................ 7 2.3.2 Integrated Water Resource Management Approach ................................................................................................ 8 2.3.3 Integrated Lake Basin Management Approach ........................................................................................................ 8 2.3.4 Cooperative Management of Lakes .......................................................................................................................... 8 2.3.5 Payment for Ecosystem Services ............................................................................................................................... 8 2.4 Wetlands Economics .............................................................................................................................................................. 8 2.5 Social and Gender Inclusiveness .......................................................................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER 3: THREATS, ISSUES, AND PRIORITY AREAS ...............................................................................................................9 3.1 Loss/degradation of Wetlands ............................................................................................................................................. 9 3.2 Invasive Alien Species ........................................................................................................................................................... 9 3.3 Climate Change Effects ......................................................................................................................................................... 9 3.4 Inadequate Knowledge and Science-based Information .................................................................................................... 9 3.5 Wise Use of Wetlands ......................................................................................................................................................... 10 3.6 Communicating Ecosystem Functions and Services ........................................................................................................... 10 3.7 Identifying and Designating, the Most Important Wetlands as Ramsar Sites ................................................................. 10 3.8 Interstate Municipal and Metropolis Wetlands .................................................................................................................. 10 3.9 Transboundary wetlands ..................................................................................................................................................... 10 3.10 Implementing the Convention ........................................................................................................................................... 10 3.11 Synergies at National Level ................................................................................................................................................ 10 3.12 International Cooperation ................................................................................................................................................... 10 3.13 Financing.............................................................................................................................................................................. 11 NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) viii CHAPTER 4: THE NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN .......................................................................................13 4.1 Goal .................................................................................................................................................................................. 13 4.2 Objectives ............................................................................................................................................................................ 13 4.3 Strategic and Objectives Key Actions ................................................................................................................................. 13 4.3.1 To Effectively Conserve and Manage the Ramsar Site Network ........................................................................... 13 4.3.2 To Manage Wetlands Including the Ramsar Site at the Footprint of Wisely Use Principle .................................. 14 4.3.3 To Build Federal and Local Stakeholder’s Capacities for the Wetlands and Ramsar Sites ................................... 15 4.3.4 To Enhance the Ramsar Implementation Through the National and International Cooperation ........................ 15 4.3.5 To Monitor and Evaluate the Implementation of the National Ramsar Strategy and Action Plan ...................... 16 CHAPTER 5: IMPLEMENTATION PLAN .....................................................................................................................................17 5.1 Coordination and Implementation Mechanism ................................................................................................................. 17 5.2 Financial Plan....................................................................................................................................................................... 18 5.3 Monitoring of Plan Implementation ................................................................................................................................... 18 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................................................19 ANNEXES ........................................................................................................................................................................23 Annex 1: National Ramsar Goals and Targets with Relevant Tools, Actors, Baselines and Indicators ..............................23 Annex 2: Indicative Budget for the Action Plan ..................................................................................................................28 List of Tables Table 1: Ramsar Sites of Nepal (Source: Ramsar Information Sheet 2017) ................................................................................2 Table 2: Extent of Wetlands in Nepal ............................................................................................................................................2 Table 3: Wetland Ecosystem Services ............................................................................................................................................3 Table 4: Example of the Ecosystem Services Provided by Wetlands ...........................................................................................4 Table 5: Wetlands Uses at Altitudinal Gradients in Nepal. ...........................................................................................................4 Table 6: Example of Wetland Services from Nepal .......................................................................................................................5 Table 7: Actors and Their Main Roles in Plan Implementation ..................................................................................................18 List of Figures Figure 1: Spatial Distribution of Ramsar Sites in Nepal ..................................................................................................................1 Figure 2: Coordination and Implementation Mechanism .............................................................................................................17 NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) ix PREAMBLE In many respects, wetlands are amongst the most productive ecosystems in the world. In Nepal, they occur in diverse ecological zones from highland Himalayas to low land Terai. In 1988, Nepal became a signatory to Ramsar convention which highlighted Nepal’s commitment to conservation of wetlands. However, the wetlands had been neglected for long even though they have social, economic, religious, and touristic significances. The occurrence of wetlands across diverse ecological zones in Nepal have made vulnerable to few common and region specific threats. Of late, Ramsar sites including many other wetlands have been subjected to habitat loss and degradation. Such problem could not be addressed due to lack of Ramsar Strategy and Action Plan in Nepal. This is also equally important in the ongoing federal context in Nepal as there is lack of clarity in the roles and responsibilities of each administrative units. Thus, a National Ramsar Strategy and Action Plan had been a requisite for conservation of wetlands and particularly for the conservation of Ramsar sites in Nepal. In this view, the National Ramsar Strategy and Action Plan (2018-2024) has been prepared. The methodology used in the policy document mainly follows four-pronged approaches. These include extensive review of existing literatures, consultative meetings and workshops, sharing meeting, andlastly review of the draft policy document with experts. National Ramsar Strategy and Action Plan (2018-2024) covers the background of wetlands including Ramsar sites management practices in Nepal; the existing institution, policies and practices for Ramsar Implementation in Nepal; strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis and finally the Ramsar Strategic Plan of Nepal. Likewise, the report outlines the National Ramsar goals and key actions with relevant tools, actors, baselines and indicators in Nepal. It considers thirteen priority areas for the next seven years much like the priority areas of the Ramsar Convention. National Ramsar Strategy and Action Plan (2018-2024) represents the first strategy and action plan for conservation of Ramsar sites in Nepal and is congruent with both the Sustainable Development Goals and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Begnas Lake © Hariyo Ban Program, WWF Nabin Baral NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 1 BACKGROUND CHAPTER 1 1. 1 Understanding Wetlands At the footprint of the Ramsar definition, National Wetlands Policy (NWP 2012) of Nepal defines wetlands as “perennial water bodies that originate from underground sources of water or rainfall. It means swampy areas with flowing or stagnant fresh or salt water that is natural or man-made, or permanent or temporary. Wetlands also mean marshy lands, riverine floodplains, lakes, ponds, water storage areas and agricultural lands”. Of 42 wetlands categorized by Ramsar, Nepal does not have coastal and marine wetlands (IUCN 2004) but holds 19 types of natural and 10 types of man-made inland wetlands (Siwakoti 2007). Hydrologically, Nepal’s wetlands are considered the Himalayan wetlands irrespective to any sizes and geography because each drop of water any wetlands receive has link with the water dynamics of the Himalaya (Pokharel and Nakamura 2012). 1. 2 Nepal’s Response to the Ramsar Convention Nepal has a long history of the wetlands conservation associated to the culture, tourism and forests management. Nepal joined to the Ramsar Convention in 1971 (hereafter as Convention); ratified the Convention on April 17, 1988; designated the Koshi Tappu as Nepal’s the first but 384th wetlands of international significance globally regarded as the “Ramsar Site” (HMGN/MFSC 2003); and became the 46th Contracting Party of the Convention. After 28 years of member Figure 1: Spatial Distribution of Ramsar Sites in Nepal NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 2 S.N. Sites Zone Province Altitude (m) Area (ha) Date Designation Ratification 1 Koshi Tappu Terai, lowland 2 90 17,500 1987/12/17 2003/08/13 2 Ghodaghodi Lake Area Terai, lowland 7 205 2,563 2003/08/13 2003/08/13 3 Jagadishpur Reservoir Terai, lowland 4 195 225 2003/08/13 2003/08/13 4 Beeshazari and Associated Lakes Terai, lowland 3 285 3,200 2003/08/13 2003/08/13 5 Rara Lake Himalayas 6 2990 1,583 2007/09/23 2007/09/23 6 Phoksundo Lake Himalayas 6 3610 494 2007/09/23 2007/09/23 7 Gosaikunda and Associated Lakes Himalayas 3 4700 1,030 2007/09/23 2007/09/23 8 Gokyo and Associated Lakes Himalayas 3 5000 7,770 2007/09/23 2007/09/23 9 Mai Pokhari Midhills 1 2100 90 2008/10/20 2008/10/20 10 Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley Midhills 4 827 26,106 2016/02/02 2016/02/02 Table 1: Ramsar Sites of Nepal (Source: Ramsar Information Sheet 2017) state of the Party, Nepal is one of the existing Standing Committee Members of the Convention (2015-2018). In compliance with Article 2.1 of the Convention, and Articles 4.1 and 5.1.5 (KHA and GA) of NWP (2012) makes the provisions of exploring wetlands for their designation in the Ramsar list. Of this, four are in the Terai lowlands, two in mid-hills, and four in Himalayan regions respectively. The Mai Pokhari is the smallest, and Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley is the largest Ramsar sites in Nepal (Table 1, Figure 1). In total, Nepal’s Ramsar sites contribute 0.025 percent (surface area) to the global target of the Ramsar sites. As of 2017, 60,561 hectares of wetlands are listed under the Ramsar convention (Ramsar 2017). Further, Nepal’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (2014-2020) recommends for the inclusion of additional 5 wetlands in this list by 2020. With the designation of Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley in 2016, Nepal next target is to explore additional 4 wetlands for the Ramsar designation. 1. 3 Extent and Coverage of Wetlands in Nepal Nepal’s wetlands include rivers; lakes; reservoirs; ponds; marshy lands and irrigated paddy fields (Table 2) and covers ~ 5% of total area of Nepal with a huge water storage capacity of 225 billion m3 (Water Resource Strategy 2002). Table 2: Extent of Wetlands in Nepal S.N. Wetlands Estimated Area (ha) Percentage (%) 1 Rivers 395,000 48.2 2 Lakes 5,000 0.6 3 Reservoirs 1,500 0.2 4 Marshy Lands 12,500 1.5 5 Ponds 7,277 0.9 6 Irrigated Paddy Fields 398,000 48.6 Total 819,277 100.00 (Source: Directorate of Fisheries Development, Kathmandu, Nepal (DoFD 2012) NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 3 1. 4 Importance of Wetlands Wetlands are one of the most productive ecosystems with important ecological, cultural and economic significances, and are instrumental for health; welfare; safety; and the sustainability of both the ecosystem and communities. These are the major podium for most of rural communities, for example 10% of ethnic communities, depended on wetlands resources for the subsistence in Nepal (IUCN, 2004; MoAD, 2015). 1.4.1 Species diversity The Nepalese wetlands including Ramsar sites harbor many threatened and endangered flora and fauna and provide excellent ecological habitats for internationally important winter migratory birds, aquatic fauna and other wildlife. They harbor at least 230 indigenous fish species with 104 genera having higher economic, environmental and academic values; whereas 6 endemic species (Rajbanshi, Table 3: Wetland Ecosystem Services Relevance Services Description - Functions Water Quantity and Quality – Lake Eutrophication Water Regulation Regulation of water flows, which entrains pollutants and purifies water – Regulating Water Supply Filtering, retention, and storage of fresh water – Provisioning Erosion Control Maintains arable land and prevents water silting by lowering soil losses by wind and sediment retention and runoff – Regulating Waste Treatment Removal, breakdown, or abatement of pollutants – Regulating Climate Change Atmospheric Regulation Regulation of atmospheric compositions by various processes such as carbon sequestration– Regulating Climate Regulation Influence of land covers on climate (temperature, precipitation etc.) – Regulating Biodiversity Biological Control Control of populations, pests, and diseases through trophic-dynamic processes – Regulating Habitat/Refugia Suitable living space for species to evolve and breed – Supporting Material Benefits Food Production The conversion of solar energy into edible plants and animals suitable for human consumption. Growing rice both in summer and spring season fish farming. – Provisioning Raw Materials Conversion of solar energy into materials suitable for construction – Provisioning Genetic Resources Genetic evolution in plants and animals – Provisioning Social Well-being Disturbance Prevention Dampening of environmental disturbances such as storm protection and flood prevention – Regulating Recreation Opportunities for recreation, relaxation, and refreshment – Cultural Cultural Spiritual, religious, historical, and symbolic values – Cultural Environmental Integrity Soil Formation Rock weathering and organic matter accumulation leading to the formation of productive soils– Supporting Nutrient Cycling Storage processing and acquisition of nutrients within the biosphere – Supporting Pollination Movement of plant genes for reproduction – Supporting (Source: Voora and Venema, 2008) 2013). Further, they hold 102 species of phytoplankton; 109 species of zooplanktons; 192 species of mollusks and 117 species of amphibians (IUCN, 2004; ICIMOD and MoEST, 2007; Budha, 2012; NBSAP, 2014). 27% of nationally threatened birds’ species (BCN and DNPWC, 2010); 85 percent of endemic vertebrates (IUCN, 2004) and about 24% of Government protected plants are known recorded from wetlands. Rice that plays major role in agriculture in Nepal has its wild cultivar like Oryzanivara, O. granulata, O. officinalis, O. sativaf. spontanea,and O. Rufipogon from wetlands of Koshi Tappu, Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, and Palpa (CSUWN, 2010). Similarly, Relict Himalayan dragonfly (Epiophlebia laidlawi), Near-Threatened insect, is wetlands dependent (IUCN, 2006). 1.4.2 Provisional services Wetlands including Ramsar sites provide a wide range of provisional services. Over 85% of Nepal’s agrarian communities relies on wetlands resources for food; fodder; NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 4 fiber; folk medicine; navigation; fishery; mine; gene etc. Irrigated paddy fields are the major source of staple food, for example Nepal makes 5.23 MT of rice production in the fiscal year 2016/17 (MoAD, 2017). The traditional fishing engages about 10% of ethnic communities, and modern fishery is growing, and Nepal’s dependency in importing fish has been declined. Sustainable management enhances wetlands’ productivity and improve supply of timber; vegetable oil; medicinal plants; fodder; and stems and leaves for weaving materials. Use of wetlands resources greatly differs along altitudinal gradients as illustrated in Table 5 (Lamsal et al., 2017), so these are understood in different perspectives among highlander and lowlander communities in Nepal. 1.4.3 Cultural services Wetlands are the divine factor in all religious-cultural sectors like Hinduism, Buddhism, Muslim etc. in Nepal. Water bodies are the abode of the God Barun in the Hinduism. Ponds, lakes, and rivers are the backbone of the Mithila culture, and Chhat puja (devote to the Sun). Many water bodies are holy and pilgrimage centers for the Hindu and Buddhist such as the Pashupatinath at the shore of Bagmati River, Shalinadi, Gosainkunda, and Panchpokhari Table 4: Example of the Ecosystem Services Provided by Wetlands Regulating Services Supporting Services Flood Control and Soil Erosion Prevention Soil Formation Water Regulation Nutrient cycling Water Purification and Waste Treatment Habitat services Climate Regulation Provisioning Services Cultural Services Food Energy Production Freshwater Research and Education Fiber and Fuel Spiritual and Aesthetic Significance Bio-chemical (NTFP etc.) Tourism and Recreation Genetic Materials Table 5: Wetlands Uses at Altitudinal Gradients in Nepal. Wetland types Wetland uses Aquatic Food Drinking Water and Irrigation Fuel, wood, timber, medicinal Tourism Livestock Grazing Religious and Cultural High altitude wetlands + + ++ +++ + +++ Midhills wetlands ++ ++ +++ ++ ++ +++ Lowland wetlands +++ +++ +++ + +++ +++ + Low, ++ Medium, +++ High (Source: Lamsal et al., 2017). (Sindhupalchowk) etc. Shivaganga Tal of Bara is visited by more than 100,000 people annually mainly in Shrawan and Shivaratri. Likewise, Ghadiarwa Tal of Parsa district is visited by around 500,000 people annually during Chhat (DoF, 2017). Further, they have aesthetic/ecotourism, spiritual, recreational, inspirational, and educational values. It has inspired art and literature and contributed to the development of human knowledge. These non-material benefits remain non-quantifiable. 1.4.4 Regulating services Wetlands regulate water quality and quantity, recharge groundwater, retain nutrients, control landslides, and prevent inundation (WI, 2017). Wetlands helps controlling soil erosion and sediment transport thereby contribute to land formation and increase resilience to storms. Wetlands plants detoxify chemical fertilizers, pesticides, heavy metals, and toxins. 1.4.5 Supporting services Wetlands enhances primary productivity of ecosystems that in turn lead to other provisional, cultural and regulating services. They are natural buffers mitigating climate induced water disaster, and cope against climate adversities i.e., dryness and desertification. These are NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 5 good carbon sink ecosystems, for example peatlands sink as twice carbon as to natural forests’ biomass (Joosten and Couwenberg, 2008). As landscape and habitat, they regulate species diversity of >0.1 million People celebrating Chhath Puja © Gagan Thapa Table 6: Example of Wetland Services from Nepal S. No Type of Wetland Services Examples in Nepal 1 Regulating Beeshazari and associate Lakes: Regulating flow in Khageri river in controlling flood 2 Cultural Gosainkunda and associated Lakes: Culturally rich according to Hindu mythology, Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley: Rich in tourism and recreational value 3 Provisioning Jagadishpur reservoir: Reservoir provides an irrigation services to a large command area measuring 6070 ha. 4 Supporting Koshi Tappu and Beeshazari and associated lakes: Supporting wetland habitat for birds and aquatic wildlife. known freshwater species. Almost all water birds are known to feed and bred on wetlands. Few classic examples of the wetland services are provided in table 6. Mai Pokhari © Yadav Upreti NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 7 INSTITUTION, POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR RAMSAR IMPLEMENTATION CHAPTER 2 2.1 Existing Institution The Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) is the focal ministry for all wetlands with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation as the Ramsar Administrative Authority in Nepal (DoF, 2017). Wetlands are interwoven in other ministries and commissions like Ministry of Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperatives; Ministry of Education, Science and Technology; Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation; Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies; Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration; Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation; National Planning Commission (NPC); and Water and Energy Commission Secretariat (WECS). Other institutions such as Department of Forests (DoF); District Forestry Sector Coordination Committee (DFSCC); National Lake Conservation Development Committee (NLCDC); Metropolis; Sub-Metropolis; Urban Municipality and Rural Municipality are also making investment in wetlands including the Ramsar sites. A National Wetland Coordination Committee (NWCC) under MoFE with representation of key wetland impacting sectoral ministries is in place. IUCN Nepal is an intergovernmental body assisting government for wetlands conservation. International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is regional institution for knowledge development and sharing on mountain environment including wetlands. WWF Nepal, ZSL Nepal, National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN) collaborated with the MoFE for restoration and conservation in the Ramsar sites. Universities, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) and research institutions like National Agricultural Research Center (NARC), Research Centre for Applied Science and Technology (RECAST) and Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) are active in knowledge generation and dissemination. Similarly, many grassroots organizations are active in management of wetlands in Nepal. 2.2 Policy/legal Instruments The Constitution of Nepal 2015 ensures devolution of wetlands to the federal structure. There exists many strategies and policies that guide wetlands management in Nepal such as the National Biodiversity Strategy (2002), Hydropower Development Policy (2002), Water Resource Strategy (2002), National Agriculture Policy (2004), National Water Plan (2005), Tourism Policy (2009), National Industrial Policy (2011), Climate Change Policy (2011), Irrigation Policy (2013), National Energy Strategy of Nepal (2013), National Agriculture Development Strategy (2014), National Land Use Policy (2015), Forest Policy (2015), Forestry Sector Strategy (2016), National Urban Development Strategy (2017), National Mineral Resource Policy (2017) etc. However, the National Wetland Policy (2012), National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2014-2020), and Nature Conservation National Strategic Framework for Sustainable Development (2015) are the most proactive guiding document for the wetlands implementation in Nepal. At the setting of these strategies/policies, over two dozen of Acts prevail, and the most relevant to wetlands among these are Aquatic Animal Protection Act (1960), Soil and Watershed Conservation Act (1982), Mines and Minerals Act (1985), Pesticide Act (1991), Water Resources Act (1992), and Solid Waste Management Act (2011). Few environmental standards and guidelines that relate to wetlands prevail such as Nepal Water Quality Guidelines (2005); Industry Specific Tolerance Limits for Industrial Effluents to be Discharged into Inland Surface Waters for Tannery, Wool Processing, Fermentation, Vegetable Ghee and Oil, Paper and Pulp (2001), Industry Specific Effluents Standards to be Discharged into Inland Surface Water for Dairy, Sugar, Cotton, and Soap Industries (2003), Generic Effluents Standard for Discharging into Open Sewerage (2003), Generic Effluents Standard to be Discharged from Treatment Plant to Inland Water (2003), and Generic Standard Tolerance Limits for Industrial Effluents to be Discharged into Inland Surface Waters (2008) etc. 2.3 Practices 2.3.1 Integrated Watershed Management Approach Nepal’s Tenth Five-Year Plan (2002-2007) has prioritized integrated watershed management approach for NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 8 conservation of water and soil. The plan has identified importance of coordination among agriculture and water resources for social and economic growth while balancing the environment. This has been continued through 14th plan linking to sustainable development. 2.3.2 Integrated Water Resource Management Approach The Government of Nepal (GoN) introduced integrated water resource management (IWRM) approach with long term, medium-term and short-term targets as a principle theme for water resource development in Water Resource Strategy (WRS) in 2002. The National Water Plan (NWP, 2005) was also prepared to implement the strategy. However, due to lack of cross-sectoral coordination in the governmental agency and financial resources, implementation of IWRM as envisioned in NWP and WRS becomes partially dysfunction (Suhardiman et al. 2015). Till date, no specific program exists for execution of IWRM which could be critical for conservation and wise-use of the water resources. WECS in partnership with WWF-Nepal piloted integrated river basin management (IRBM) in the Koshi River basin aiming at optimum use of the basin’s water and its resources for socio-economic benefits of people while maintaining the ecological balance. 2.3.3 Integrated Lake Basin Management Approach Nepal through NLCDC/GoN and CODEFUND has gained learning about lake conservation from the implementation of Integrated Lake Basin Management (ILBM) approach. ILBM is a prescription to improve governance for the sustainability of lake basin environment applicable to all wetlands. Nepal has draft plans of Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley, Gaidahawa lake, and Rajarani lake (Dhankuta). 2.3.4 Cooperative Management of Lakes The management of few wetlands are successful to consolidate communities’ actions under cooperative, for example Rupa Lake Restoration and Fishery Cooperative (RLRFC), and Khaste-Neureni Lake Cooperative. Both the lakes (Rupa and Khaste-Neureni) are complements of Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley, the Ramsar site. 2.3.5 Payment for Ecosystem Services Articles 4.6, 4.8 and 4.10 of NWP (2012), Nepal government piloted payment of ecosystem services (PES) project in the Panchase Area located at the confluence of Kaski, Parbat and Syangja districts. Prior to it, RLRFC practiced PES for the equitable distribution of wetlands benefits to up-and-downstream communities. National Forest Policy (2015) and Forest Act (1993, amended) have provisioned PES in all kind of forest goods and services including wetlands. Three-Year-Plan (2016) accepts PES as one of the strong operational strategies in forestry sector. The importance of PES is being internalized in Nepal that may have wider application in the trade/commerce of wetlands particularly to water supply and hydropower companies; irrigation; tourism; industries etc. (ICIMOD, 2011). However, Nepal still seeks to enhance clear understanding and policy framework for PES for larger stake in equity distribution. In the context of federal system, this system will be ensured and operationalized upon the formulation of local level rules and regulations. 2.4 Wetlands Economics Economic valuation of wetlands in the world is estimated US$ 14 trillion annually (Costanza et al.,1997). Every dollar spent on wetlands restoration returns almost double the economic activities. Such economic value provides government and communities to prioritize planning for enlarging benefits from wetlands as integral to the sustainable development. The national accounting system does not value the benefits and services provided by wetlands in Nepal (MoFSC, 2014). However, a few Ramsar sites like Phewa lake of Pokhara, Koshi Tappu, and Jagadishpur Reservoir have economic evaluation of US$ 43 million (Kanel, 2010), US$ 16 million (Sharma et al. 2015) and US$ 1 million (Baral et al. 2016) respectively, and each household are willing to pay for community based conservation at an average of US$ 5.4 per annum (Lamsal et al. 2015a) and such investment ensures benefits worth of US$ 63 per annum (Lamsal et al. 2015b). With respect to wetlands contribution to GDP and communities’ willingness to pay, Nepal further needs to quantify and value wetlands benefits and services. 2.5 Social and Gender Inclusiveness Wetlands are the food basket and income generating resources for many marginal and indigenous communities such as Majhi and Jalahari (fishermen), Jhagad, Tharu, and Mallah etc. in Nepal (IUCN 2004). Nevertheless, their voices in wetlands management are little heard of. This strategic plan emphasizes and mainstreams the provisions of Article 4.7, 5.2.10 and 5.2.11 of the National Wetlands Policy (2012) to recognize the promotion of traditional knowledge, skills, and wetlands practices inclusive to the wetlands dependent communities and gender equity in planning and management of wetlands to improve their wellbeing from the enterprises and businesses. NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 9 THREATS, ISSUES,AND PRIORITY AREAS CHAPTER 3 3.1 Loss/degradation of Wetlands There has been a decrease of 5.41% of the total wetland coverage mainly due to expansion of croplands in Nepal (NBSAP, 2014; Li et al. 2017). Major drivers of degradation are unclarity on policies and management responsibilities, inadequate technical, financial and institutional capacities, and population growth and their increasing demand for resources. Other proximate drivers as referred by MoFSC (2014) are encroachment (drainage, agriculture, settlement and infrastructure development), extraction and diversion of water for irrigation, invasion of alien species, siltation, overharvest of resources including commercial fishery, and changes in landuse especially in agricultural lands and urban infrastructures. Addressing these drivers are urgent which may have implications in the Ramsar sites. 3.2 Invasive Alien Species Invasive Alien Species (IAS) are known to lead to the fragmentation, destruction, alteration and even the complete replacement of habitats often resulting in consequences to the functional collapses of the native ecosystem. They are recognized as the 2nd greatest threat to the biodiversity in homogenizing the world’s flora and fauna, and widely known to be one of the major agents of changing native biodiversity (Mack et al. 2000; MEA, 2005) resulting to enormous economic losses (Czech and Krausman, 1997; Wilcove and Chen, 1998; Mooney and Hobbs, 2000; GISP, 2004). In Nepal, 25 species are acknowledged as IAS threatening to the native biodiversity (Siwakoti et al. 2014; Siwakoti and Shrestha, 2014, Shrestha, 2016). Nepal also cultured 27 alien animal species (Budha, 2013) including 11 fish and freshwater prawn species for aquaculture (MoFSC, 2014a). Several adversities on environment due to IAS have been experienced such as habitat alternation and species composition in ecosystems in the Terai, Siwaliks and Midhills (Tiwari et al., 2005; Siwakoti et al., 2014). For example; water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), Ipomoea carnea and Mikania micrantha in the Terai wetlands. M. micrantha as climber infested in the Terai and Siwaliks spreading fast over forest canopy, and blocked sunlight eventually killing native plants and/or stunt their growth (MoFSC, 2014). There manifestations are already visible in KTWR, Chitwan valley and are spreading further in the westward direction in Nepal. Mikania in Chitwan National Park significantly reduced biomass production of rhino’s food plants (Subedi, 2013). Of 101 natural lakes in Kailali district, 80 sites are known to practice exotic fish farming (DOFD, 2012). 3.3 Climate Change Effects Unprecedented flashfloods (in Darchula in 2013), extreme droughts (in Bajura, Humla and Mugu in 2016), altered phenological behavior of plants and animals, altitudinal shift of aquatic habitats (for Epiophlebia laidlawi) and an outburst of pathogens are few examples of an events induced by climate change. These are known to have consequences on communities’ livelihoods and overall development process. An altitudinal band between 2900 and 3500m asl in Nepal is very responsive climate sensitive zone for the freshwater (Tachamo Shah et al 2015). Ice melting has increased phenomenally as a result many glacial lakes started to retreat, shallowed wetlands to swamp and small wetlands to disappear. In the last two decades in Sagarmatha National Park, temperature increase has led to some glaciers retreating while others are advancing and snow cover reducing water sources in the dry season. (Khanal et al. 2012). Therefore, GoN has recognized climate change as the serious concern, and responded through policy framework like National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA) and Local Adaptation Plans of Action (LAPA). 3.4 Inadequate Knowledge and Science-based Information Available information about wetlands is limited to species and ecosystem levels. Ecosystem structures and function such as freshwater biodiversity; eco-hydrology; energy flow and food web; bio-geochemical cycle; environmental flow; economics of ecosystem biodiversity; climate change dynamics; wetlands modelling; ecological health etc. are poorly documented (MoFSC, 2014). Status of peatlands as they are store house of soil carbon as twice as much as all forest combined are yet not available in Nepal. Investment in conclave, conference and symposium on wetland related NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 10 issue is meagre. Whatsoever information available are scattered and scanty. Interventions that yet made are based on discretion among wetlands managers rather than science driven. As a result, wetlands monitoring including the Ramsar site is weak, and stakeholders are tended to underestimate significance, and large areas have been drained for agriculture, pastoralism and forestry. 3.5 Wise Use of Wetlands The ‘wise use of wetlands’ is the core concept orienting the work of the Ramsar Convention that refers as “the maintenance of their ecological character, achieved through the implementation of ecosystem approaches, within the context of sustainable development” (Ramsar, 2016). Nepal gained experience to intervene this concept through the Conservation and Sustainable Wise Use of Wetlands Resource initiative (2007-2012). Government further opts this notion of wise use in compliance with objective 3.3.2 and operational strategy 5.2 of NWP (2012). Wise use is heart of this strategic plan. 3.6 Communicating Ecosystem Functions and Services Communicating wetlands ecosystem functions and their services among diverse sectors and stakeholders including decision makers and the wider public is the key to mainstream in the national planning and implementation of wetlands in Nepal. This will enhance understanding of the contribution of wetland values to people’s livelihoods and health, economic development and biodiversity and water. 3.7 Identifying and Designating, the Most Important Wetlands as Ramsar Sites Operational strategies (5.1.1-5.1.5) in NWP (2012) provide directions for the inventory; categorization and implementation of wetlands based on threat levels and importance. NBSAP (2014-2020) also identified inventory and researches to assess the status and trends of change in wetlands and wetlands biodiversity targets achievable by 2017. Though, the status of wetlands is still a big gap. This Plan completes this information gap and double the coverage of wetlands and their basins by 2024. 3.8 Interstate Municipal and Metropolis Wetlands Few wetlands, whatsoever their status, may have their cross-border shared between one or more than states; municipalities; sub-metropolis; and metropolis under the recent federal structure of Nepal. Status of such wetlands need to be explored; documented, values estimated; and appropriate measures for sustainable and wise use adapted. 3.9 Transboundary Wetlands Nepal’s all wetlands directly or indirectly contribute to the major tributaries of Koshi, Narayani, Karnali, and Mahakali rivers in Nepal. Few of these rivers originate from China, ultimately drain into the Ganga River in the downstream India. Koshi River – the Koshi Tappu in Nepal is the Ramsar site, but other rivers are not yet observed from the lens of global significance except few studies conducted on the Gangetic river dolphin in Karnali, Narayani, and Koshi. The status of few shallow lakes and marshland in Nepal’s Terai such as the Paklihawa in Rupandehi district and Tulashid di-Hawain Kapilvastu district which are at the cross-roads between Nepal-India border may have transboundary values in terms of wetlands biodiversity. 3.10 Implementing the Convention MoFE and its departments (DNPWC, DoF, and DSCWM) are the key stakeholders in wetlands with DNPWC as the Ramsar Administrative Authority. Water use aspects however are built within many sectors such as fishery; irrigation; energy; drinking water; agriculture etc. Scope of DNPWC as the Ramsar Authority to implement Convention is limited within PAs, whereas other departments and local level governments have their scope restricted outside PAs. In this context, the department should look over wetlands and fully acting as the Ramsar Authority is realized to implement the Convention. 3.11 Synergies at National Level The wise use of wetlands and their resources involves a range of actors at local, state, and federal levels. The review of NPW and all cross-cutting legal instruments in view of these structural change is urgent. Hence, this Plan reviews NPW (2012), mainstreams wetlands into sectoral policies and formulate Wetlands Act, and synergy maintained through effective coordination, shared strength and partnering energy/inputs from other sectors such as agriculture; fishery; energy; irrigation etc. Further, the Plan opens the avenues for the public and private investment including academia, media, and non-governmental organizations. So that they all forge to enhance implementation of the Convention and reverse the trend of loss and degradation of wetlands. 3.12 International Cooperation Nepal is privileged of sharing hydro-dynamics of the Palearctic and Indo-Malayan having China and India around it as neighboring states. Further, Nepal is one of the active countries obliged to regional and international, and multilateral and bilateral agreements. With these, this Plan mainstreams the vertex of Ramsar Convention with all the measures herein corresponding to the targets of Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Aichi, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 11 Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), World Heritage Center (WHC), International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), United Nations Educational, Scientifi c and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), United Nations Convention to Combat Desertifi cation (UNCCD), Sendai framework, Sustainable Development Goal, regional and global Multilateral Environment Agreements (MEA). Ramsar Administrative Authority will bring in the strength of the Ramsar’s Regional Centers and Networks to support regional and transboundary cooperation; capacity building; technology and knowledge exchanges; wetland related communications and mobilization of fi nancial resources for the wetland activities. Further, wetlands of regional importance will be consolidated within the framework of South Asian Region for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and ICIMOD, whereas IUCN, WWF, ZSL, and Bird Conservancy shall prioritize wetlands in demo representative to the geographical diversity based on wise use principle leading to socio ecological prosperity. Working relation will be established with the Wetlands International; International Lake Environment Committee Foundation, Lake-Net, International Water Management Institute, Ramsar Wetlands Japan, and ARCO Foundation to enhance understanding of wetlands from the sustainable and wise use application and practices. 3.13 Financing Sustainable fi nancing to wetland conservation is always a growing issue. The conservation and management of wetland ecosystem by establishing innovative and sustainable fi nancing mechanism to ensure reliable source of revenue to promote wetland conservation and local livelihoods is must. The objective should be to enhance biodiversity and local livelihood thereby building local capacity to manage their wetlands. Programs through REDD++ World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Global Environmental Facility, Social obligation fund of enterprises, NGO, Inter-governmental organizations and Government have been funding wetland conservation activities. Neureni Lake © Hariyo Ban Program, WWF Nabin Baral Gokyo and its Associated Lakes with Nogjumba Glacier in Everest Region © Amit Poudyal, IUCN NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 13 THE NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN CHAPTER 4 4.1 Goal Nepal’s Ramsar sites are conserved, wisely used, restored benefits are recognized and valued nationally and globally. 4.2 Objectives 1. To effectively conserve and manage the Ramsar site network; 2. To manage wetlands including the Ramsar site at the footprint of wisely use principle; 3. To engage federal, state and local stakeholder and capacitate them for the wetlands and Ramsar sites conservation; 4. To enhance the Ramsar implementation through the national and international cooperation; and 5. To monitor and evaluate the implementation of the National Ramsar Strategy and Action Plan. 4.3 Strategic and Objectives Key Actions 4.3.1 To Effectively Conserve and Manage the Ramsar Site Network Effective participation of stakeholders including indigenous peoples and local communities must be enhanced to conserve and manage the Ramsar sites in Nepal. Besides, the key stakeholders should also work, to expand the reach of the Convention by continuously working to add more sites and areas of wetlands recognized under the Convention. Outcome 1 At the base of 2018, the Ramsar site network is effectively conserved and managed with its coverage doubled in Nepal Strategy 1 The coverage of the Ramsar Site Network of Nepal is doubled by 2024 Key Actions 1.1 Scientific and field-based inventory of all wetlands and prioritization of them for local; state; national; regional and global importance 1.2 Socio-ecological assessment of potential wetlands, under-represented types of wetlands, for additional wetlands to be listed under Ramsar site. 1.3 Designation of additional wetlands (~10) as the Ramsar site 1.4 Identified threats in each of the Ramsar sites Strategy 2 Indicators of the individual Ramsar sites are developed Key Actions 2.1 Update of the RIS of all Ramsar sites 2.2 Preparation (or review/modification) and implementation of the basin level conservation and wise use integrated plan with monitoring indicators of the Ramsar sites Strategy 3 Health report card of each Ramsar Site is documented and disseminated Key Actions 3.1 Developed scientific tool and guideline for assessing the health of Ramsar sites 3.2 Performance monitoring of each Ramsar sites 3.3 Preparation, archive, dissemination and use of Annual Health report of Ramsar sites NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 14 Strategy 4 Wetlands are featured in federal, state and local policy strategies, plans and actions among key sectors Key Actions 4.1 Formulate Wetlands Act that harmonizes wetlands related strategies, policies and legal frameworks of sectoral agencies as relevant to the federal structures and in view of cross border wetlands between/ among provinces, municipalities and trans-boundary with attention to the Ramsar sites 4.2 Coordinate effectively among sectoral agencies to harmonize the provision of Wetlands Act in the implementation of sectoral plans and action with special attention to the Ramsar sites 4.3 Preparation of guidelines for good practices and wise use of waters and wetlands in view of basin level ecosystem functions and services 4.4 Strengthening capacities of the public and private sectors for increasing their roles and efforts to apply guidelines for good practices and wise use of wetlands Strategy 5 Financial and other resources for effectively implementing the National Ramsar Strategic Plan 2018 – 2024 from all sources are made available Key Actions 5.1 Development of mechanism to ensure government fund on annual basis to implement programs and action of the Ramsar sites 5.2 Development of proposal-based funding from the international cooperation for conservation and wise use of the Ramsar sites and other wetlands 5.3 Endorsement of the propositions by non-government and public-private organization for leveraging external fund for conservation and wise use of the Ramsar sites 5.4 Promotion of private sector investment in wetlands ecotourism and wetlands based other enterprises in the Ramsar sites and other wetlands 5.5 Enhanced involvement of the public and private sectors 4.3.2 To Manage Wetlands Including the Ramsar Site at the Footprint of Wisely Use Principle All wetlands (irrespective of Ramsar site) needs to be wisely used. The work may occur at national or local level or at basin level. The recognition of wetland functions, services and benefits need to be mainstreamed into a wide range of sectors involving a broad array of actors. Classification, prioritization of wetlands should be based upon on their importance at international, national, and local level along with designation of management regime. OUTCOME 2 Wise use of wetlands is demonstrated in Nepal Strategy 6 Wise use of wetlands including the Ramsar sites is recognized in the conservation and management of wetlands Key Actions 6.1 Documentation of indigenous knowledge, skills, innovation, and practices of wetlands conservation and management 6.2 Formulation and implementation of a plan for controlling expansion of invasive plant and animal species in wetlands 6.3 National conclaves and events among key sectors to mitigate threats for the sustainability of wetlands Strategy 7 Wetlands functions, services and benefits is demonstrated and disseminated 7.1 Assess threats and their mitigation measures and create integrated wetland basin management demonstration sites in at-least three Ramsar sites for wetlands structure, functions, services, and benefits NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 15 Strategy 8 Wetlands conservation and wise use is mainstreamed through communication, capacity development, education, participation and awareness Key Actions 8.1 Update CEPA action plan and its implementation 8.2 Incorporation of conservation and wise use of wetlands in the curricula of undergraduate and graduate education program 8.3 Preparation of resource books; audio-visuals and journals for conservation and wise use of wetlands 8.4 Set up of the national dissemination mechanism for documentation of wetlands data/information and their dissemination, for example clearing-house mechanism 8.5 Knowledge enhancement system, and grants/awards for researchers and champions of wetlands management 8.6 Establish a network for exchanging information out of regular monitoring of resources uses in Ramsar sites 8.7 Sensitization through training and events to students; communities; CF groups; village leaders; politicians; bureaucrats for the conservation and wise use of wetlands 8.8 Coordination with national and international and intergovernmental institution for synergy in Communication, Education, Participation and Awareness (CEPA) implementation 4.3.3 To Build Federal and Local Stakeholder’s Capacities for the Wetlands and Ramsar Sites Sustainable conservation of wetlands can be achieved only when local stakeholders are participated in the management and planning levels. At the same time, stakeholders should be empowered and skilled to be able to implement management plan in their sites. OUTCOME 3 Effective coordination between Federal, state, and local Stakeholders enhanced Strategy 9 Coordination network is established under the federal structure Key Actions 9.1 Establish a coordination network between local stakeholders and federal stakeholders 9.2 Create an online interactive portal to exchange knowledge and raise wetlands related issues and concerns Strategy 10 Stakeholders at federal, state, and local level are empowered Key Actions 10.1 Ensure training of technical staff in all relevant institutions about preparation of management plans 10.2 Prepare management plans for Ramsar sites and ensure their implementation 10.3 Establish “Site Management Committee” to support the implementation of management plans at Ramsar sites having management plan 4.3.4 To Enhance the Ramsar Implementation Through the National and International Cooperation National and international cooperation is imperative for sustainable conservation of the Ramsar sites. OUTCOME 4 National and International support garnered for Ramsar site conservation Strategy 11 Enhanced conservation of Ramsar sites through the national cooperation Key Actions 11.1 Increase the communication and cooperation between the institutions responsible for the conservation and management of the wetlands and its biodiversity 11.2 Ensure the coordination and cooperation between the national focal points of all conventions related to the nature conservation 11.3 Encourage Academic/scientific institutions to develop wetland programs to increase the academic and research capacity NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 16 OUTCOME 5 Maintained Good status of Ramsar sites Strategy 14 Regular assessment is in place for determining ecological status of Ramsar sites Key Actions 14.1 Establish a monitoring program to identify changes in ecological character of Ramsar sites 14.2 Produce annual health report card of Ramsar sites Strategy 15 Ramsar evaluation protocol is developed Key Actions 15.1 Develop standard evaluation protocol for proper management of Ramsar sites 15.2 Publish annual report Strategy 12 Enhanced conservation of Ramsar sites through the international cooperation Key Actions 12.1 Establish relationship between international donor agency for securing funds to Ramsar implementation 12.2 Coordinate and communicate with international stakeholders Strategy 13 Funds for the implementation of the Ramsar convention is secured Key Actions 13.1 Apply for national and international funds for the implementation of the Ramsar convention 4.3.5 To Monitor and Evaluate the Implementation of the National Ramsar Strategy and Action Plan Various scientifi c tools and mechanisms are need for monitoring and evaluation of Ramsar implementation Ghodaghodi Lake© Amit Poudyal, IUCN NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 17 IMPLEMENTATION PLAN CHAPTER 5 The implementation of the Strategic Plan needs to be reinforced for the survival of wetlands. Various approaches will help strengthen the implementation of the Strategic Plan at the national, state and local level. These involve critical actions to be undertaken by the key actors in partnership with other entities with regards to scientific and technical advice and guidance, resource mobilization, public awareness, visibility and capacity building. The Ramsar national focal person/Institution needs to play vital role in raising awareness through CEPA and implementation of actions through resources mobilization. Economics of wetlands, Environmental accounting of wetlands, wetland academy, wetlands journal, resource book, assessment methodology etc. could help in enhancing the implementation. In addition, international cooperation, capacity building, convention, workshop, technology, resource guide and fund could be a support. This will ensure an effective implementation of the convention at national, state and local level. 5.1 Coordination and Implementation Mechanism The Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) is the focal ministry for Ramsar implementation in Nepal. MoFE will coordinate with DNWPC and line agencies under state government for the conservation of Ramsar sites within their respective jurisdiction (Figure 2 and Table 7). Ministry of Forests and Environment Environment and Biodiversity Division (Secretariat of National Wetland Committee) Wetland Committee (including NGOs/CBOs/CSOs) Wetland Committee (including NGOs/CBOs/CSOs) Wetland Committee (including NGOs/CBOs/CSOs) Wetland Committee (including NGOs/CBOs/CSOs) Metropolitan City MunicipalitySub-Metro Politian City Rural Municipality Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (Inside the Protected Area) State (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7) Figure 2: Coordination and implementation mechanism NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 18 Table 7: Actors and Their Main Roles in Plan Implementation Actors Major Roles Federal government Steering program implementation, facilitation, coordination and monitoring of program implementation, creating enabling environment State government Steering program implementation and facilitation within state, coordination and monitoring of program implementation Local government bodies Coordination, partnership development, financial support, creating enabling policy, joint planning Conservation/Development Partners Financial assistance, technology development and transfer, capacity building and knowledge dissemination Academic Institutions Research and development Private Sectors Conservation finance, entrepreneurship development Community Institutions, local NGOs and user groups Implementation, partnership, resource leverage and advocacy for conservation and wise use of Ramsar sites 5.2 Financial Plan International, national, state and local funding sources committed to the conservation and wise use of Ramsar sites need to be coordinated by Ramsar Authority and facilitated through private, public, national and international organizations. 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Gosaikunda Lake © Samir Jung Thapa A nn ex 1 : N at io na l R am sa r G oa ls a nd T ar ge ts w ith R el ev an t To ol s, A ct or s, B as el in es a nd In di ca to rs St ra te gi c O bj ec ti ve s O bj ec ti ve 1 : To E ff ec ti ve ly C on se rv e an d M an ag e th e Ra m sa r Si te N et w or k O ut co m e 1: A t th e ba se o f 20 18 , t he R am sa r Si te N et w or k is e ff ec ti ve ly c on se rv ed a nd m an ag ed w it h it s co ve ra ge d ou bl ed in N ep al 1 Th e co ve ra ge o f th e Ra m sa r Si te N et w or k of N ep al is d ou bl ed b y 20 24 • Sc ie nt ifi c an d fie ld b as ed in ve nt or y of a ll w et la nd s an d pr io rit iz at io n of t he m f or lo ca l; st at e; n at io na l; re gi on al a nd g lo ba l i m po rt an ce • So ci o ec ol og ic al a ss es sm en t of p ot en tia l w et la nd s, u nd er r ep re se nt ed t yp es o f w et la nd s, fo r ad di tio na l w et la nd s to b e lis te d un de r Ra m sa r si te . • D es ig na tio n of a dd iti on al w et la nd s (~ 10 ) in t he Ra m sa r si te • Id en tifi ed t hr ea ts in e ac h Ra m sa r si te s M oF E/ D N PW C/ D oF (N PC , M oA LM C St at e go ve rn m en ts Lo ca l g ov er nm en ts ) B as el in e • By 2 01 6, 1 0 Ra m sa r si te s ha ve b ee n de si gn at ed (R am sa r si te s da ta ba se ) • By 2 01 6, S ur fa ce a re as o f 60 ,5 61 h ec ta re s ha ve be en d es ig na te d (R am sa r Se cr et ar ia t) 3 in h ig h hi m al , 3 in m id dl e m ou nt ai n an d 4 in T er ai . • W et la nd p la nn in g G ui de lin es ( M oF SC C SU W N , 20 12 ) In di ca to rs • N o. o f Ra m sa r si te s th at h av e be en d es ig na te d • To ta l h ec ta re s of R am sa r si te s th at h av e be en de si gn at ed . 2 In di ca to rs o f th e in di vi du al R am sa r si te ar e de ve lo pe d • U pd at e of t he R IS o f al l R am sa r si te s • Pr ep ar at io n (o r re vi ew /m od ifi ca tio n) a nd im pl em en ta tio n of t he b as in le ve l c on se rv at io n an d w is e us e in te gr at ed p la n w ith m on ito ri ng in di ca to rs o f th e Ra m sa r si te s D N PW C/ D oF / M oF E, ( U se r gr ou ps / in di ge no us c om m un ity ) B as el in e: • Si te M an ag em en t Pl an o f Be es ha za ri a nd as so ci at ed la ke s (G oN , 2 01 4) . • Ca tc hm en t le ve l m an ag em en t Pl an f or G ho da gh od i L ak e (G oN , 2 01 1) • W et la nd s In di ca to r Sp ec ie s M on ito ri ng P ro to co l (M oF SC / CS U W N 2 01 1) In di ca to rs • Ra m sa r In fo rm at io n Sh ee ts u pd at ed . • Im pl em en ta tio n of A ic hi T ar ge ts • N o. o f w at er / w et la nd b ird s re co rd ed 3 H ea lt h re po rt c ar d of e ac h Ra m sa r si te is d oc um en te d an d di ss em in at ed • D ev el op ed s ci en tifi c to ol a nd g ui de lin e fo r as se ss in g th e Ra m sa r he al th • Pe rf or m an ce m on ito ri ng o f ea ch R am sa r si te • Pr ep ar at io n, a rc hi ve , d is se m in at io n an d us e of A nn ua l H ea lt h Re po rt o f Ra m sa r si te s D N PW C/ D oF / M oF E, ( St at e, M un ic ip al ity . R ur al m un ic ip al ity , u se r gr ou ps , i nd ig en ou s co m m un ity ) B as el in e • Si te / ca tc hm en t le ve l M an ag em en t Pl an (B ee sh az ar a nd a ss oc ia te d la ke ) an d G ho da gh od i La ke ( 20 11 2 01 5) In di ca to rs • N o. o f ac tio ns t o ad dr es s th e is su es o f Ra m sa r de gr ad at io n. • Ec ol og ic al h ea lt h of R am sa r si te s pu bl is he d. A N N EX ES 4 W et la nd s ar e fe at ur ed in f ed er al , s ta te an d lo ca l p ol ic y st ra te gi es , p la ns a nd ac tio ns a m on g ke y se ct or s • Fo rm ul at e W et la nd A ct t ha t ha rm on iz es w et la nd s re la te d st ra te gi es , p ol ic ie s an d le ga l fr am ew or ks o f se ct or al a ge nc ie s as r el ev an t to t he f ed er al s tr uc tu re s an d in v ie w o f cr os s bo rd er w et la nd s be tw ee n/ am on g pr ov in ce s, m un ic ip al iti es a nd t ra ns b ou nd ar y w ith at te nt io n to t he R am sa r si te s • Co or di na te e ff ec tiv el y am on g se ct or al a ge nc ie s to h ar m on iz e th e pr ov is io n of W et la nd s A ct in t he im pl em en ta tio n of s ec to ra l p la ns a nd ac tio n w ith s pe ci al a tt en tio n to t he R am sa r si te s • Pr ep ar at io n of g ui de lin es f or g oo d pr ac tic es a nd w is e us e of w at er s an d w et la nd s in v ie w o f ba si n le ve l e co sy st em f un ct io ns a nd s er vi ce s • St re ng th en in g ca pa ci tie s of t he p ub lic a nd pr iv at e se ct or s fo r in cr ea si ng t he ir r ol es a nd ef fo rt s to a pp ly g ui de lin es f or g oo d pr ac tic es an d w is e us e of w et la nd s M oF E/ D N PW C/ D oF ( M oE W RI , M oA LM C, M O D W , D O A ) B as el in e: • D ra ft N at io na l W at er P ol ic y, 2 01 7 (G oN , 2 01 7) • N at io na l W et la nd P ol ic y 20 12 ( G oN , 2 01 2) • N at io na l W at er P la n 20 05 ( H M G N , 2 00 5) • H yd ro po w er D ev el op m en t Po lic y 20 01 ( G oN , 20 01 ) • Ir ri ga tio n Po lic y 20 03 ( G oN , 2 00 3) • N at io na l E ne rg y St ra te gy o f N ep al 2 01 3 (G oN , 20 13 ) • W at er R es ou rc es S tr at eg y 20 02 ( H M G N , 2 00 2) In di ca to rs : • In cl us io n of w et la nd is su es in to n at io na l s tr at eg ie s an d in t he p la nn in g pr oc es se s su ch a s fo r w at er re so ur ce m an ag em en t an d w at er e ffi ci en cy p la ns . 5 Fi na nc ia l a nd o th er r es ou rc es f or ef fe ct iv el y im pl em en tin g th e N at io na l Ra m sa r St ra te gi c Pl an 2 01 8 – 20 24 fr om a ll so ur ce s ar e m ad e av ai la bl e • D ev el op m en t of m ec ha ni sm t o en su re go ve rn m en t fu nd o n an nu al b as is t o im pl em en t pr og ra m s an d ac tio n of t he R am sa r si te s • D ev el op m en t of p ro po sa l ba se d fu nd in g fr om th e in te rn at io na l c oo pe ra tio n fo r co ns er va tio n an d w is e us e of t he R am sa r si te s an d ot he r w et la nd s • En do rs em en t of t he p ro po si tio ns b y no n go ve rn m en t an d pu bl ic p ri va te o rg an iz at io n fo r le ve ra gi ng e xt er na l f un d fo r co ns er va tio n an d w is e us e of t he R am sa r si te s • Pr om ot io n of p riv at e se ct or in ve st m en t in w et la nd s ec ot ou ris m a nd w et la nd s ba se d ot he r en te rp ris es in t he R am sa r si te s an d ot he r w et la nd s M oF E/ D N PW C/ D oF / ( M oI CT / r es ea rc h in st itu te s/ N at io na l a nd in te rn at io na l m ed ia / lo ca l a nd in di ge no us co m m un iti es / Pr iv at e se ct or , I / N G O s) In di ca to rs : • N o. o f ac tiv iti es / pr oj ec ts / in ce nt iv es / ac tio ns im pl em en te d fo r w is e us e of t he r es ou rc es / en ha nc ed c on se rv at io n of t he R am sa r si te s in t ha t tim e fr am e • Pr iv at e se ct or u nd er ta ki ng a ct iv iti es f or t he co ns er va tio n, w is e us e an d m an ag em en t of w et la nd s in g en er al r ep or te d. • In cl us io n of b ot h go ve rn m en ta l a nd n on go ve rn m en ta l r ep re se nt at iv es in n at io na l R am sa r Co m m itt ee r ep or te d • N o. o f tr ai ni ng a nd w or ks ho ps t o em po w er re le va nt in st itu tio n an d st ak eh ol de rs . O bj ec ti ve 2 : T o m an ag e w et la nd s in cl ud in g th e Ra m sa r si te a t th e fo ot pr in t of w is el y us e pr in ci pl e O ut co m e 2: W is e us e of w et la nd s is d em on st ra te d in N ep al 6 W is e us e of w et la nd s in cl ud in g th e Ra m sa r si te s is r ec og ni ze d in t he co ns er va tio n an d m an ag em en t of w et la nd s • D oc um en ta tio n of in di ge no us k no w le dg e; sk ill s; in no va tio n; a nd p ra ct ic es o f w et la nd s co ns er va tio n an d m an ag em en t • Fo rm ul at io n an d im pl em en ta tio n of a p la n fo r co nt ro lli ng e xp an si on o f in va si ve p la nt a nd an im al s pe ci es in w et la nd s • N um be r of n at io na l c on cl av es a nd e ve nt s am on g ke y se ct or s to m iti ga te t hr ea ts f or t he su st ai na bi lit y of w et la nd s M O IC T, D N PW C/ D oF / M oF E, N G O s B as el in e • Re so ur ce U se P ra ct ic es a nd P la n fo r KT W R (G oN / CS U W N , 2 01 1) In di ca to rs : • A do pt io n of w et la nd p ol ic ie s th at p ro m ot e th e w is e us e of t he ir w et la nd s. • W et la nd s co ns id er ed a s na tu ra l w at er in fr as tr uc tu re in te gr al t o w at er r es ou rc e m an ag em en t at t he s ca le o f ri ve r ba si n • Fo rm ul at io n of s pe ci al a ct , r eg ul at io n an d gu id el in e of w is e us e of w et la nd s 7 W et la nd s fu nc tio ns , s er vi ce s an d be ne fit s is d em on st ra te d an d di ss em in at ed • A ss es s th re at s an d th ei r m iti ga tio n m ea su re s an d cr ea te in te gr at ed w et la nd b as in m an ag em en t de m on st ra tio n si te s in a t le as t 3 Ra m sa r si te s fo r w et la nd s st ru ct ur e, f un ct io ns , se rv ic es , a nd b en efi ts D N PW C/ D oF / M oF E, M oE W RI , M oA LM C, D O T/ M oC TC A , M oU D, M oF A G A , M O PI T, D O A , N A RC , fe de ra l s ta te s, M un ic ip al ity / R ur al M un ic ip al ity / U se r gr ou ps / in di ge no us co m m un ity ) B as el in e • N at io na l s tr at eg y on C om m un ic at io n, E du ca tio n, pa rt ic ip at io n an d Aw ar en es s (C EP A ) fo r th e co ns er va tio n an d w is e us e of w et la nd s in N ep al (2 01 1 20 15 ) (M oS FC / CS U W N , 2 01 1) In di ca to rs : • A ss es sm en t of e co sy st em s er vi ce s of R am sa r si te s co nd uc te d. • W et la nd is su es in co rp or at ed in to p ov er ty er ad ic at io n st ra te gi es 8 W et la nd s co ns er va tio n an d w is e us e is m ai ns tr ea m ed t hr ou gh c om m un ic at io n, ca pa ci ty d ev el op m en t, e du ca tio n, pa rt ic ip at io n an d aw ar en es s • U pd at e CE PA a ct io n pl an a nd it s im pl em en ta tio n • In co rp or at io n of c on se rv at io n an d w is e us e of w et la nd s in t he c ur ri cu la o f un de rg ra du at e an d gr ad ua te e du ca tio n pr og ra m • Pr ep ar at io n of r es ou rc e bo ok s; jo ur na ls ; a ud io vi su al s an d jo ur na ls f or c on se rv at io n an d w is e us e of w et la nd s • Se t up o f th e na tio na l d is se m in at io n m ec ha ni sm f or d oc um en ta tio n of w et la nd s da ta /i nf or m at io n an d th ei r di ss em in at io n, f or ex am pl e cl ea rin g ho us e m ec ha ni sm • Kn ow le dg e en ha nc em en t sy st em , a nd g ra nt s/ aw ar ds f or r es ea rc he rs a nd c ha m pi on s of w et la nd s m an ag em en t D N PW C/ D oF / M oF E (I N G O s/ N G O s, N at io na l a nd In te rn at io na l u ni ve rs iti es Re se ar ch In st itu tio ns ) B as el in e • N at io na l s tr at eg y on C om m un ic at io n, E du ca tio n, pa rt ic ip at io n an d Aw ar en es s (C EP A ) fo r th e co ns er va tio n an d w is e us e of w et la nd s in N ep al (2 01 1 20 15 ) (M oS FC / CS U W N , 2 01 1) In di ca to rs : • N um be r of r el ev an t Ra m sa r H an db oo ks p ub lis he d • N um be r of g ra nt s an d re se ar ch f un ds r el ea se d an nu al ly • Es ta bl is hm en t of w eb si te t ha t pu bl is he s w et la nd s is su es , c on ce rn s an d ac hi ev em en t in c on se rv at io n of w et la nd s in cl ud in g Ra m sa r si te s. • Es ta bl is h a ne tw or k fo r ex ch an gi ng in fo rm at io n ou t of r eg ul ar m on ito ri ng o f re so ur ce s us es in Ra m sa r si te s • Se ns iti za tio n th ro ug h tr ai ni ng a nd e ve nt s to s tu de nt s; c om m un iti es ; v ill ag e le ad er s; po lit ic ia ns ; b ur ea uc ra ts f or t he c on se rv at io n an d w is e us e of w et la nd s • Co or di na tio n w ith n at io na l a nd in te rn at io na l an d in te rg ov er nm en ta l i ns tit ut io n fo r sy ne rg y in C EP A im pl em en ta tio n O bj ec ti ve 3 : T o bu ild f ed er al a nd lo ca l s ta ke ho ld er ’s c ap ac it ie s fo r th e w et la nd s an d Ra m sa r si te s O ut co m e 3: E ff ec ti ve c oo rd in at io n be tw ee n fe de ra l, st at e an d lo ca l S ta ke ho ld er s en ha nc ed 9 Co or di na tio n ne tw or k is e st ab lis he d un de r th e fe de ra l s tr uc tu re • Es ta bl is h fu nc tio na l w et la nd m an ag em en t un its a t st at e le ve ls A dm in is te r re gu la r fu nd s to e xe cu te , m on ito r an d ev al ua te R am sa r im pl em en ta tio n D N PW C/ D oF / M oF E/ Fe de ra l go ve rn m en t (M un ic ip al ity / Lo ca l M un ic ip al ity / IN G O s/ N G O s, N at io na l a nd In te rn at io na l u ni ve rs iti es Re se ar ch In st itu tio ns ) In di ca to rs • N um be r of a ct iv iti es p er fo rm ed t hr ou gh t he es ta bl is he d w et la nd m an ag em en t un its . 10 St ak eh ol de rs a t fe de ra l, st at e an d lo ca l le ve l a re e m po w er ed • En su re t ra in in g of t ec hn ic al s ta ff in a ll re le va nt in st itu tio ns a bo ut p re pa ra tio n of m an ag em en t pl an s • Pr ep ar e m an ag em en t pl an s fo r Ra m sa r si te s an d en su re t he ir im pl em en ta tio n • Es ta bl is h “S ite M an ag em en t Co m m itt ee ” to su pp or t th e im pl em en ta tio n of m an ag em en t pl an s at R am sa r si te s ha vi ng m an ag em en t pl an D N PW C/ D oF / M oF E/ Fe de ra l go ve rn m en t (M un ic ip al ity / Lo ca l M un ic ip al ity / N G O s, N at io na l u ni ve rs iti es Re se ar ch In st itu tio ns , l oc al u se r gr ou ps an d in di ge no us c om m un ity ) In di ca to rs • A do pt io n an d re vi se o f si te m an ag em en t pl an t ha t su it to R am sa r si te O bj ec ti ve 4 : T o en ha nc e th e Ra m sa r im pl em en ta ti on t hr ou gh t he n at io na l a nd in te rn at io na l c oo pe ra ti on O ut co m e 4: N at io na l a nd In te rn at io na l s up po rt g ar ne re d fo r Ra m sa r si te c on se rv at io n 11 En ha nc ed c on se rv at io n of R am sa r si te s th ro ug h th e in te rn at io na l c oo pe ra tio n • In cr ea se t he c om m un ic at io n an d co op er at io n be tw ee n th e in st itu tio ns r es po ns ib le f or t he co ns er va tio n an d m an ag em en t of t he w et la nd s an d its b io di ve rs ity • En su re t he c oo rd in at io n an d co op er at io n be tw ee n th e na tio na l f oc al p oi nt s of a ll co nv en tio ns r el at ed t o th e na tu re c on se rv at io n • En co ur ag e A ca de m ic /s ci en tifi c in st itu tio ns t o de ve lo p w et la nd p ro gr am s to in cr ea se t he ac ad em ic a nd r es ea rc h ca pa ci ty D N PW C/ D oF / M oF E, (M oE W RI , M oA LM C, D O T/ M oC TC A , M oU D, M oF A G A , M O PI T, D O A , N A RC , fe de ra l s ta te s, M un ic ip al ity / R ur al M un ic ip al ity / U se r gr ou ps / in di ge no us co m m un ity ) In di ca to rs • Pr og ra m s la un ch ed a nd e xe cu te d in c oo rd in at io n be tw ee n an d am on g re le va nt s ta ke ho ld er s NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) 27 12 En ha nc ed c on se rv at io n of R am sa r si te s th ro ug h th e in te rn at io na l c oo pe ra tio n • Es ta bl is h re la tio ns hi p be tw ee n in te rn at io na l do no r ag en cy f or se cu ri ng f un ds t o Ra m sa r im pl em en ta tio n • Be co m e a si gn at or y m em be r of w et la nd re la te d or ga ni za tio ns a nd f or um s D N PW C/ M oF E (R am sa r co nv en tio n, R ED D ++ , W or ld B an k, A si an D ev el op m en t B an k, ( CG F) In di ca to rs : • N um be r of m ul til at er al a nd b ila te ra l a gr ee m en t at re gi on al a nd In te rn at io na l I ni tia tiv es . • In vo lv em en t in t he d ev el op m en t an d im pl em en ta tio n of a R eg io na l I ni tia tiv e un de r th e fr am ew or k of t he C on ve nt io n. 13 Fu nd s fo r th e im pl em en ta tio n of t he Ra m sa r co nv en tio n is s ec ur ed • A pp ly n at io na l a nd in te rn at io na l f un ds f or t he im pl em en ta tio n of t he R am sa r co nv en tio n D N PW C/ M oF E (R am sa r co nv en tio n, R ED D ++ , W or ld B an k, A si an D ev el op m en t B an k, C G F) In di ca to rs : • N o. o f ex ec ut io n of p ro je ct s or g ra nt s re le as ed . O bj ec ti ve 5 : T o m on it or a nd e va lu at e th e im pl em en ta ti on o f th e N at io na l R am sa r St ra te gy a nd A ct io n Pl an O ut co m e 5: M ai nt ai ne d G oo d st at us o f Ra m sa r si te s 14 Re gu la r as se ss m en t is in p la ce f or de te rm in in g ec ol og ic al s ta tu s of R am sa r • Es ta bl is h a m on ito rin g gu id el in e to id en tif y ch an ge s in e co lo gi ca l c ha ra ct er o f Ra m sa r si te s • Pr od uc e an nu al h ea lt h re po rt c ar d of R am sa r si te s D N PW C/ D oF / M oF E (I /N G O s/ R es ea rc h in st itu tio n an d un iv er si tie s) In di ca to rs : • N um be r of p ub lic at io n in n at io na l o r in te rn at io na l jo ur na ls • M ed ia c ov er s in t he f or m o f ar tic le s an d ra di o pr og ra m s 15 Ra m sa r ev al ua tio n pr ot oc ol is de ve lo pe d • D ev el op s ta nd ar d ev al ua tio n pr ot oc ol f or p ro pe r m an ag em en t of R am sa r si te s • Pu bl is h an nu al r ep or t D N PW C/ D oF / M oF E (I /N G O s/ R es ea rc h in st itu tio n an d un iv er si tie s) In di ca to rs : • Ev al ua tio n of W et la nd r es ou rc es o f al l R am sa r si te s A nn ex 2 : I nd ic at iv e Bu dg et f or t he A ct io n Pl an SN St ra te gi c A ct io ns U ni t A m ou nt ( N PR ) A m ou nt ( U SD ) O ut co m e 1: A t th e ba se o f 20 18 , t he R am sa r si te N et w or k is e ff ec ti ve ly c on se rv ed a nd m an ag ed w it h it s co ve ra ge d ou bl ed in N ep al 1. 1 Th e co ve ra ge o f th e Ra m sa r si te N et w or k of N ep al is d ou bl ed b y 20 24 1. 1. 1 Sc ie nt ifi c an d fie ld b as ed in ve nt or y of a ll w et la nd s an d pr io rit iz at io n of t he m f or lo ca l; st at e; n at io na l; re gi on al a nd gl ob al im po rt an ce Ev en ts 15 0, 00 0, 00 0 1, 50 0, 00 0 1. 1. 2 So ci o ec ol og ic al a ss es sm en t of p ot en tia l w et la nd s, u nd er r ep re se nt ed t yp es o f w et la nd s, f or a dd iti on al 1 0 w et la nd s to b e lis te d as R am sa r si te Ev en ts 20 ,0 00 ,0 00 20 0, 00 0 1. 1. 3 D es ig na tio n of a dd iti on al w et la nd s (~ 10 ) in t he R am sa r si te Ev en ts 12 ,0 00 ,0 00 12 0, 00 0 1. 1. 4 Id en tifi ed t hr ea ts in e ac h Ra m sa r si te s Ev en ts 10 ,0 00 ,0 00 10 0, 00 0 1. 2 In di ca to rs o f th e in di vi du al R am sa r si te a re d ev el op ed 1. 2. 1 U pd at e of t he R IS o f al l R am sa r si te s Ev en ts 10 ,0 00 ,0 00 10 0, 00 0 1. 2. 2 Pr ep ar at io n (o r re vi ew /m od ifi ca tio n) a nd im pl em en ta tio n of t he b as in le ve l c on se rv at io n an d w is e us e in te gr at ed pl an w ith m on ito rin g in di ca to rs o f th e Ra m sa r si te s N o. 20 ,0 00 ,0 00 20 0, 00 0 1. 3 H ea lt h re po rt c ar d of e ac h Ra m sa r si te is d oc um en te d an d di ss em in at ed 1. 3. 1 D ev el op ed s ci en tifi c to ol a nd g ui de lin e fo r as se ss in g th e Ra m sa r he al th A nn ua l 5, 00 0, 00 0 50 ,0 00 1. 3. 2 Pe rf or m an ce m on ito rin g of e ac h Ra m sa r si te A nn ua l 2, 50 0, 00 0 25 ,0 00 1. 3. 3 Pr ep ar at io n, a rc hi ve , d is se m in at io n an d us e of A nn ua l H ea lt h Re po rt o f Ra m sa r si te s A nn ua l 2, 50 0, 00 0 25 ,0 00 1. 4. W et la nd s ar e fe at ur ed in n at io na l, st at e, a nd lo ca l p ol ic y st ra te gi es , p la ns a nd a ct io ns a m on g ke y se ct or s 1. 4. 1 Fo rm ul at e W et la nd A ct t ha t ha rm on iz es w et la nd s re la te d st ra te gi es , p ol ic ie s an d le ga l f ra m ew or ks o f se ct or al ag en ci es a s re le va nt t o th e fe de ra l s tr uc tu re s an d in v ie w o f cr os s bo rd er w et la nd s be tw ee n/ am on g pr ov in ce s, m un ic ip al iti es a nd t ra ns b ou nd ar y w ith a tt en tio n to t he R am sa r si te s N o 10 ,0 00 ,0 00 10 0, 00 0 1. 4. 2 Co or di na te e ff ec tiv el y am on g se ct or al a ge nc ie s to h ar m on iz e th e pr ov is io n of W et la nd s A ct in t he im pl em en ta tio n of s ec to ra l p la ns a nd a ct io n w ith s pe ci al a tt en tio n to t he R am sa r si te s Ev en ts 20 ,0 00 ,0 00 20 0, 00 0 1. 4. 3 Pr ep ar at io n of g ui de lin es f or g oo d pr ac tic es a nd w is e us e of w at er s an d w et la nd s in v ie w o f ba si n le ve l e co sy st em fu nc tio ns a nd s er vi ce s N o 10 ,0 00 ,0 00 10 0, 00 0 1. 4. 4 St re ng th en in g ca pa ci tie s of t he p ub lic a nd p riv at e se ct or s fo r in cr ea si ng t he ir r ol es a nd e ff or ts t o ap pl y gu id el in es fo r go od p ra ct ic es a nd w is e us e of w et la nd s Ev en ts 10 ,0 00 ,0 00 10 0, 00 0 1. 5 Fi na nc ia l a nd o th er r es ou rc es f or e ff ec ti ve ly im pl em en ti ng t he N at io na l R am sa r St ra te gi c Pl an 2 01 8 – 20 24 f ro m a ll so ur ce s ar e m ad e av ai la bl e 1. 5. 1 D ev el op m en t of m ec ha ni sm t o en su re g ov er nm en t fu nd o n an nu al b as is t o im pl em en t pr og ra m s an d ac tio n of t he Ra m sa r si te s N o 2, 50 0, 00 0 25 ,0 00 1. 5. 2 D ev el op m en t of p ro po sa l ba se d fu nd in g fr om t he in te rn at io na l c oo pe ra tio n fo r co ns er va tio n an d w is e us e of t he Ra m sa r si te s an d ot he r w et la nd s Ev en ts 2, 50 0, 00 0 25 ,0 00 SN St ra te gi c A ct io ns U ni t A m ou nt ( N PR ) A m ou nt ( U SD ) O ut co m e 2: W is e us e of w et la nd s is d em on st ra te d in N ep al 2. 1 W is e us e of w et la nd s in cl ud in g th e Ra m sa r si te s is r ec og ni ze d in t he c on se rv at io n an d m an ag em en t of w et la nd s 2. 1. 1 D oc um en ta tio n of in di ge no us k no w le dg e; s ki lls ; i nn ov at io n; a nd p ra ct ic es o f w et la nd s co ns er va tio n an d m an ag em en t A nn ua l 2, 50 0, 00 0 25 ,0 00 2. 1. 2 Fo rm ul at io n an d im pl em en ta tio n of a p la n fo r co nt ro lli ng e xp an si on o f in va si ve p la nt a nd a ni m al s pe ci es in w et la nd s Ev en ts 2, 00 0, 00 0 20 ,0 00 2. 1. 3 N at io na l c on cl av es a nd e ve nt s am on g ke y se ct or s to m iti ga te t hr ea ts f or t he s us ta in ab ili ty o f w et la nd s Ev en ts 3, 00 0, 00 0 30 ,0 00 2. 2 W et la nd s fu nc ti on s, s er vi ce s an d be ne fit s is d em on st ra te d an d di ss em in at ed 2. 2. 1 A ss es s th re at s an d th ei r m iti ga tio n m ea su re s an d cr ea te in te gr at ed w et la nd b as in m an ag em en t de m on st ra tio n si te s in a tl ea st 3 R am sa r si te s fo r w et la nd s st ru ct ur e, f un ct io ns , s er vi ce s, a nd b en efi ts . Ev en ts 30 0, 00 0, 00 0 3, 00 0, 00 0 2. 3 W et la nd s co ns er va ti on a nd w is e us e is m ai ns tr ea m ed t hr ou gh c om m un ic at io n, c ap ac it y de ve lo pm en t, e du ca ti on , p ar ti ci pa ti on a nd a w ar en es s 2. 3. 1 U pd at e CE PA a ct io n pl an a nd it s im pl em en ta tio n Ev en ts 3, 00 0, 00 0 30 ,0 00 2. 3. 2 In co rp or at io n of c on se rv at io n an d w is e us e of w et la nd s in t he c ur ric ul a of u nd er gr ad ua te a nd g ra du at e ed uc at io n pr og ra m N o 5, 00 0, 00 0 50 ,0 00 2. 3. 3 Pr ep ar at io n of r es ou rc e bo ok s; jo ur na ls ; a ud io v is ua ls a nd jo ur na ls f or c on se rv at io n an d w is e us e of w et la nd s Ev en ts 50 ,0 00 ,0 00 50 0, 00 0 2. 3. 4 Se t up o f th e na tio na l d is se m in at io n m ec ha ni sm f or d oc um en ta tio n of w et la nd s da ta /i nf or m at io n an d th ei r di ss em in at io n, f or e xa m pl e cl ea rin g ho us e m ec ha ni sm N o 5, 00 0, 00 0 50 ,0 00 2. 3. 5 Kn ow le dg e en ha nc em en t sy st em , a nd g ra nt s/ aw ar ds f or r es ea rc he rs a nd c ha m pi on s of w et la nd s m an ag em en t N o 5, 00 0, 00 0 50 ,0 00 2. 3. 6 Es ta bl is h a ne tw or k fo r ex ch an gi ng in fo rm at io n ou t of r eg ul ar m on ito ri ng o f re so ur ce s us es in R am sa r si te s N o 50 0, 00 0 5, 00 0 2. 3. 7 Se ns iti za tio n th ro ug h tr ai ni ng a nd e ve nt s to s tu de nt s; c om m un iti es ; v ill ag e le ad er s; p ol iti ci an s; b ur ea uc ra ts f or t he co ns er va tio n an d w is e us e of w et la nd s Ev en ts 50 ,0 00 ,0 00 50 0, 00 0 2. 3. 8 Co or di na tio n w ith n at io na l a nd in te rn at io na l a nd in te rg ov er nm en ta l i ns tit ut io n fo r sy ne rg y in C EP A im pl em en ta tio n Ev en ts 50 ,0 00 ,0 00 50 0, 00 0 O ut co m e 3: F ed er al a nd lo ca l s ta ke ho ld er ’s n et w or ks e ff ec ti ve ly p er fo rm ed 3. 1. C oo rd in at io n ne tw or k is e st ab lis he d un de r th e fe de ra l s tr uc tu re 3. 1. 1 Es ta bl is h a co or di na tio n ne tw or k be tw ee n lo ca l s ta ke ho ld er s an d fe de ra l s ta ke ho ld er s A nn ua l 2, 00 0, 00 0 20 ,0 00 3. 1. 2 Cr ea te a n O nl in e in te ra ct iv e po rt al t o ex ch an ge k no w le dg e an d ra is e w et la nd s re la te d is su es a nd c on ce rn s Ev en ts 1, 00 0, 00 0 10 ,0 00 3. 2. S ta ke ho ld er s at f ed er al a nd lo ca l l ev el a re e m po w er ed 3. 2. 1 En su re t ra in in g of t ec hn ic al s ta ff in a ll re le va nt in st itu tio ns a bo ut p re pa ra tio n of m an ag em en t pl an s N o 1, 00 0, 00 0 10 ,0 00 3. 2. 2 Es ta bl is h “S ite M an ag em en t Co m m itt ee ” to s up po rt t he im pl em en ta tio n of m an ag em en t pl an s at R am sa r si te s ha vi ng m an ag em en t pl an N o 10 ,0 00 ,0 00 10 0, 00 0 3. 2. 3 Pr ep ar e m an ag em en t pl an s fo r Ra m sa r si te s an d en su re t he ir im pl em en ta tio n N o 5, 00 0, 00 0 50 ,0 00 SN St ra te gi c A ct io ns U ni t A m ou nt ( N PR ) A m ou nt ( U SD ) O ut co m e 4: R am sa r im pl em en ta ti on is e nh an ce d in s us ta in ab le m an ne r 4. 1 Ra m sa r im pl em en ta ti on is e nh an ce d th ro ug h th e na ti on al c oo pe ra ti on 4. 1. 1 In cr ea se t he c om m un ic at io n an d co op er at io n be tw ee n th e in st itu tio ns r es po ns ib le f or t he c on se rv at io n an d m an ag em en t of t he w et la nd s an d its b io di ve rs ity Ev en ts 2, 00 0, 00 0 20 ,0 00 4. 1. 2 En su re t he c oo rd in at io n an d co op er at io n be tw ee n th e na tio na l f oc al p oi nt s of a ll co nv en tio ns r el at ed t o th e na tu re co ns er va tio n A nn ua l 5, 00 0, 00 0 50 ,0 00 4. 1. 3 En co ur ag e A ca de m ic /s ci en tifi c in st itu tio ns t o de ve lo p w et la nd p ro gr am s to in cr ea se t he a ca de m ic a nd r es ea rc h ca pa ci ty Ev en ts 2, 00 0, 00 0 20 ,0 00 4. 2. R am sa r im pl em en ta ti on is e nh an ce d th ro ug h th e in te rn at io na l c oo pe ra ti on 4. 2. 1 Es ta bl is h re la tio ns hi p be tw ee n in te rn at io na l d on or a ge nc y fo r se cu ri ng f un ds t o Ra m sa r im pl em en ta tio n Ev en ts 1, 00 0, 00 0 10 ,0 00 4. 2. 2 Be co m e a si gn at or y m em be r of w et la nd r el at ed o rg an iz at io ns a nd f or um s Ev en ts 5, 00 0, 00 0 50 ,0 00 4. 2. 3 A pp ly n at io na l a nd in te rn at io na l f un ds f or t he im pl em en ta tio n of t he R am sa r co nv en tio n N o 1, 00 0, 00 0 10 ,0 00 O ut co m e 5: M ai nt ai ne d G oo d st at us R am sa r si te s 5. 1 Re gu la r as se ss m en t is in p la ce f or d et er m in in g ec ol og ic al s ta tu s of R am sa r si te s 5. 1. 1 Es ta bl is h a m on ito rin g pr og ra m t o id en tif y ch an ge s in e co lo gi ca l c ha ra ct er o f Ra m sa r si te s Ev en ts 5, 00 0, 00 0 50 ,0 00 5. 1. 2 Pr od uc e an nu al h ea lt h re po rt c ar d of R am sa r si te s Ev en ts 5, 00 0, 00 0 50 ,0 00 5. 2 Ra m sa r ev al ua tio n pr ot oc ol is d ev el op ed 5. 2. 1 D ev el op s ta nd ar d ev al ua tio n pr ot oc ol f or p ro pe r m an ag em en t of R am sa r si te s Ev en ts 5, 00 0, 00 0 50 ,0 00 5. 2. 2 Pu bl is h an nu al r ep or t Ev en ts 1, 50 0, 00 0 15 ,0 00 G ra nd t ot al 1, 08 1, 00 0, 00 0 10 ,8 10 ,0 00 U SD E xc ha ng r at e: 1 U SD = N PR 1 00 ( A pp ro x. ) NATIONAL RAMSAR STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN, NEPAL (2018-2024) Government of Nepal Ministry of Forests and Environment Government of Nepal Ministry of Forests and Environment Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-1- 4211567, 4211936 Fax: +977-1-4223868