Kathmandu, Aug. 14: The Government of Nepal has officially launched the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) Strategy and Action Plan (2026-2035), a new long-term framework aimed at strengthening biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, and community livelihoods across Nepal’s ecologically significant Terai region.
Published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment (MoAFE), the strategy builds on more than two decades of landscape-level conservation efforts in the Terai Arc Landscape, which stretches across protected areas, forests, river systems, and wildlife corridors in southern Nepal.
The new 10-year plan is designed to guide government agencies, conservation organizations, local governments, and communities in coordinating policies and actions that balance ecological integrity with human well-being.
Major focus areas
Wildlife and habitat conservation
The strategy prioritizes the protection of flagship species, including the Bengal tiger, greater one-horned rhinoceros, and Asian elephant. It emphasizes securing and managing critical wildlife corridors that connect protected areas and allow animals to move safely across the landscape.
Ecosystem restoration
MoAFE has identified forest connectivity, watershed management, and restoration of degraded habitats as key components of the strategy. Restoring ecological corridors is expected to improve biodiversity conservation while also supporting water security and ecosystem services for local communities.
Community livelihoods and coexistence
Recognizing that conservation success depends heavily on local participation, the action plan promotes sustainable green micro-enterprises, nature-based tourism, eco-tourism opportunities, and community-based initiatives. It also includes measures to reduce human-wildlife conflict, which remains a major challenge in several Terai districts.
Climate resilience
The framework integrates climate adaptation strategies to help both ecosystems and local livelihoods cope with rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, floods, droughts, and other climate-related risks affecting the Terai region.
A landscape of global importance
The Terai Arc Landscape is internationally recognized for its exceptional biodiversity and transboundary ecological significance. Nepal’s TAL has been credited with notable achievements in recent years, including the recovery of tiger populations, improved rhino conservation outcomes, and strengthened community forestry practices.
Conservation experts view the new strategy as an important step toward aligning Nepal’s biodiversity goals with broader national and international commitments related to sustainable development, climate action, and ecosystem restoration.
According to information made available through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment, the strategy will serve as a guiding framework for conservation planning and investment through 2035, with an emphasis on collaboration among federal, provincial, and local stakeholders.
The full strategy and related information are available through the ministry’s official website: moafe.gov.np.
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