Kathmandu - ForestAction Nepal marked the successful completion of its six-year Jalthal Biodiversity Project with a half-day knowledge-sharing event in Kathmandu, highlighting critical lessons for biodiversity conservation beyond protected areas.
The program, titled “Biodiversity Conservation Beyond Protected Areas: Insights and Lessons from Jalthal Forest,” was supported by the UK Government’s Darwin Initiative under the Biodiversity Challenge Funds. The initiative focused on the ecologically significant Jalthal Forest in southeastern Nepal, one of the country’s richest lowland forest ecosystems outside the formal protected area network.
The event was attended by the Secretary of Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE), His Excellency the British Ambassador to Nepal, along with senior government officials, researchers, academics, development partners, and representatives from community forest user groups.
Landmark Publications Launched
A major highlight of the program was the official launch of two important publications:
“Trees of Jalthal: A Guide to Identification and Conservation”
“Jalthal Forest: A Biodiversity Trove”
According to ForestAction Nepal, the books document 168 tree species from 53 plant families found in Jalthal Forest, including 14 species newly recorded for Nepal. Beyond trees, the project has also documented a wide range of species across major taxonomic groups-flora, fauna, and funga-presented through accessible infographics and scientific summaries.
These publications are expected to serve as valuable reference materials for policymakers, conservation practitioners, researchers, students, and forest user groups, particularly in promoting science-based forest management in community-managed landscapes.
Conservation Beyond Protected Areas
The Jalthal Biodiversity Project emphasized the importance of conserving biodiversity outside designated national parks and wildlife reserves. With a significant portion of Nepal’s forests under community management, the initiative sought to generate evidence on how biodiversity outcomes can be strengthened within community forestry frameworks.
An engaging panel discussion during the program brought together representatives from government agencies, academia, and civil society. Panelists acknowledged Nepal’s globally recognized success in community forestry but also pointed out persistent gaps in biodiversity monitoring, financing constraints, limited ecological data, and the need for policy reforms.
Speakers stressed that integrating pro-biodiversity practices into forest operational plans, strengthening data systems, and ensuring sustainable financing mechanisms are essential to safeguard forest ecosystems like Jalthal in the long term.
A Model for Landscape-Level Conservation
The Jalthal Forest, known for its rich ecological diversity, represents a critical landscape for conservation beyond protected areas. By combining scientific research, community engagement, and policy dialogue, the six-year project has contributed to strengthening knowledge systems and informing national-level discussions on forest governance.
As Nepal continues to balance development and environmental priorities, initiatives such as the Jalthal Biodiversity Project highlight the importance of evidence-based conservation strategies rooted in local participation and international collaboration.
For Ecosphere News, this milestone underscores a broader message: biodiversity conservation must extend beyond park boundaries and into the community-managed forests that form the backbone of Nepal’s ecological resilience.
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