Dhangadhi, Nepal - The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) has formally initiated the Climate-Resilient Landscapes and Livelihoods Project through an inception workshop held in Dhangadhi, marking a significant step toward promoting sustainable development in western Nepal.
Supported by the Asian Development Bank, the project is designed to strengthen community-based ecotourism while enhancing climate resilience across Karnali and Sudurpashchim Provinces. The initiative aims to integrate environmental conservation with local economic opportunities, particularly in remote and ecologically rich districts.
According to NTNC, the project will be implemented in close collaboration with provincial ministries and local stakeholders, with a geographic focus on Bajura, Bajhang, Doti, Achham, and Dadeldhura districts. These areas, known for their natural beauty and cultural heritage, are expected to benefit from improved tourism infrastructure and planning.
NTNC will lead core components of the project, including tourism master planning, infrastructure design, and capacity building for local communities. The organization emphasized that strengthening local skills and institutional capacity will be key to ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience against climate-related challenges.
A notable aspect of the initiative is the feasibility assessment for expanding trekking routes toward destinations such as Ramaroshan and Rara Lake. These efforts aim to diversify tourism offerings and unlock the region’s nature-based economic potential, while maintaining ecological integrity.
The inception workshop brought together key stakeholders, including the Provincial Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment, representatives from the Forest Directorate of Sudurpashchim Province, and other provincial-level actors. Discussions focused on aligning institutional roles, ensuring community participation, and setting priorities for effective project implementation.
This initiative reflects a growing recognition of ecotourism as a pathway to sustainable development in Nepal’s far-western regions, where environmental vulnerability and limited economic opportunities often intersect. By linking conservation efforts with livelihoods, the project seeks to create a balanced model of development that benefits both people and ecosystems.
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