Utsala Shrestha Department of Environmental Sciences

M. Sc. Ag. (Conservation Ecology)December 2007

Image source: IUCN Nepal

Introduction• Wetlands are important ecosystems, which are rich

in biodiversity and have ecological, economic, socio-cultural, recreational religious and other functional values

• Conservation- practical embracing of preservation, maintenance, sustainable utilization, restoration of natural environment

• Community participation is working together to develop capability for managing and utilizing their own resources in sustainable way.

• Public participation is an effective tool for establishing an ecologically balanced use of available land and water resources.

• Major wetland users , beneficiaries and their active involvement in decision making are important for conservation of wetland from degradation

ObjectivesBroad objectives• To develop the idea about community participation and

efforts in the conservation of wetlands in Nepal

Specific objectives• To develop concept about community participation• To know importance of community role in wetland

conservation and • To acknowledge local community as participant in

conservation programs.

Community participation• “Community participation is a process of

working with the local people at grass root level to develop their capabilities for their own use and benefits”

• Principle- To develop the capability of local people in managing resources and make involve in decision making

• It is multistage process which can be taken as MEAN- short term exercise with predetermined objectives or END- Long term process for strengthening the capabilities

Efficient management – sharing of responsibility

Promotes self awareness- self confidence, and self- reliance

Cost effective – local knowledge, skills, resources

Ritualistic – social norms and values

Assurance - assuring the public

Interactive –between the public and community

Informational – giving and receiving information

Wetland conservation1.Role of community in wetland conservation

• Information collection for wetland inventory, necessary data and socioeconomic condition of resources.

• Using knowledge, skill to produce wetlands products • disseminate the information regarding threats and dangers • Maintaining ecological balances by wise utilization of

wetland resources and working under safe standards • Prohibition of Dumping of chemical pollutants, domestic

garbage, industrial waste, toxic substances, and the use of electric current and explosives in the wetland sites

• Avoid project to take over community land or any unwanted service, as wetland drainage

• Distinguish problem and prioritize the conservation activities

• Cooperate with project to prioritize the problem that seeks the immediate solution.

2.StakeholdersLocal communities are important stakeholders in using

resources and ethnic groups play major role in conservation

Sunuha Sahani

Raji Kewat

Mallah Danuwars

Bote Majhis

Mushahar Kushar

Pode Tharus

Bantar (Sardar) Barhamus

Gongi Kachhare

Mukhia (Bihin) Dhangar

Dasuhad Darai and Kumal

3.Needs to conserve wetlands• Sustainable utilization is define as ‘Human use of a wetland so

that it may yield the greatest continuous benefit to present generations while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.’( Ramsar convention bureau,1998)

Wetland for community use – aquaculutural, thatch grass, fodder,plant harvest, domestic use, extractionof water

Wetland degradation- massive deforestation, industrialization, fragmentation, siltation, eutrophication, modification of habitat

Impacts of wetland degaradation (Few e.g.)• The Bagmati River-no longer fresh water aquatic life and

present excessive quantities of non bio-degradable debris (NESS, 2006; ADB/ ICIMOD, 2006; ICIMOD, 2007).

• Hyper-eutrophic condition of Rupa lake due to heavy siltation from the catchments areas and organic load from decaying aquatic weeds

• Over 12600 cattle recorded grazing the shoreline forests at Ghodaghodi, (IUCN, 2004).

Problems in wetland conservation Local people are treated as the outsiders and the

outsiders as the local High dependence on wetland resources, low

involvement in management practices Lack of opportunities for pursuing alternative

livelihoods Communities have weak, un-diversified, and

insecure livelihoods, based on direct exploitation of natural resources

Lack of Resource management and preservation of the multi-functionality of wetlands.

Lack of institutions representing local communities for the consultation in plan development phase

Wetland conservation and community participation

Key elements for participation Recognition that public consists of a wide array of individuals

and groups with different views, perspectives and interests. Mutual trust and respect among all people. Good understanding of the diversity of values, goals and

objectives of various segments of society. Individual and collective responsible behavior on the part of

everyone Mutual recognition and acceptance of each others’ rights,

interests and aspirations. Development and implementation of mutually agreed roles and

procedures for conducting public meetings and consultations. Local skills and technology should be basis for the

conservation and sustainable utilization of resources in the area A multi disciplinary team should be involved in the

management

Steps to involve local people in participation

Group formation giving and receiving information

Dissemination – information, awareness

about wetland

Participation – local users including women

Promotion – innovation and

traditional research

Implemantation– plan and management

Assesment- felt needs of group

Identification- local knowledge, skill

and practices

Creation of awareness – on function, benefits,

uses of wetland resources

National Wetland Policy 2003

Wetlands Management Policy Based on Local Participation

• Conserve and manage wetlands with local people’s participation for their benefit, while maintaining environmental integrity according to the terms and spirit of the Ramsar Treaty.

• Translate into reality the concept of wise use of wetland resources by providing equal opportunities on the basis of local people’s participatory management of wetlands.

• Involve local residents, communities and community-based organizations.

• Conduct social and economic development activities advantageous to local residents and conserve natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

Contd.• Conserve endangered and common wildlife

species, aquatic fauna and other genetic sources dependant on wetlands.

• Develop environmental friendly tourism and mobilize acquired profits to local people.

• Ensure local people’s participation in the preparation of work plans for the conservation and management.

• Preserve the experience, practice, skill and knowledge of the ethnic groups and promote wetland conservation and management.

• Identify the problems and issues and implement the management action plan to address the issues at the local level.

• Formulate plan and legal and administrative arrangements for the representation of local people and organizations

Different conservation activitiesWetland

sitesConservation methods

Beesh hazartal, Chitwan

Local are keen to conserve and protect the resources from uncontrolled human encroachment and intervention

Ghodagodi taal

Build cattle sheds and cottages near the temple

Phewa lake

Illegal fishing is restricted by fish growers

Halkhoria daha

Stop practice of contract fishing, banning introduction of exogenous fish

RCNP Conservation of Ghariyal

Lumbini,Kapilbastu

Cooperation with the trust in establishing natural vegetation enriched with biodiversity

Recommendation and suggestions• Exchange of knowledge, skills and expertise concerning

wise use, conservation, management and restoration of wetlands and their biodiversity.

• Efforts to promote cultural heritage, local practices and knowledge be supported through partnership.

• Communication, education, public awareness program must be adopted.

• The special role of women in effective participation • Review of traditional technique adopted by communities.• Interchange of experience and information between

communities. • Participating in training, integrating conservation and

development• Policies should be formulated to recognize the value and

prospects of the Conservation of the Wetland of International Importance.

Participatory integrated management

Participatory integrated managementSustainable utilizationSustainable utilization

Wetland conservationWetland conservation

Wise use of resourcesWorking togetherIndigenous knowledge