April 15, 2021 Dr. Shant Raj Jnawali Chief of Party, Hariyo Ban Program II WWF/Nepal Baluwatar, Kathmandu

Subject: Approval to revised “Semi- Annual Performance Report- 5th Year” Reference: Cooperative Agreement (CA) # 367-A-16-00008

Dear Shant ji, Namaste I trust this letter finds you and the entire Hariyo Ban consortium partner teams well. Many thanks for submitting the attached “Semi-Annual Performance Report of Hariyo Ban Program II” for the period July 2020 – December 2020 for USAID’s review and approval. This semi-annual performance report looks good to me. I would like to thank WWF and the sub-grantee consortium partners -CARE, FECOFUN, and NTNC- teams for preparing such a comprehensive performance report. I am pleased to note and appreciate that the project has achieved almost 95% progress against most of the indicators, despite of the nationwide lock-down imposed by the Government of Nepal and limited mobility of project teams due to COVID-19 pandemic related issues. Further, the identified performance indicators and specified targets and reported progress look consistent with the original Program Description of the referenced Cooperative Agreement (CA), and approved 5th Annual Work Plan, and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Plan of the program. Therefore, in accordance with the Schedule A.5 Program Plans and Reporting, and its submission schedule of the CA, I would like to provide USAID Agreement Officer Representative (AOR) approval to the attached “Semi-Annual Performance Report of Hariyo Ban Program II” for the period (July 2020 to December 2020). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me through e-mail at: nsharma@usaid.gov or by phone at: 977-9801000817. As usual, I look forward to working closely with you all for the success of the program.

Sincerely,

Netra Sharma (Sapkota) AOR, Hariyo Ban Program II NRM and GCC Programs Specialist Social, Environmental and Economic Development Office USAID/Nepal

Copy to: Agreement Officer, USAID/Nepal

HARIYO BAN PROGRAM-II

Semi Annual Performance Report

July 2020 – December 2020

(Cooperative Agreement No: AID-367-A-16-00008)

Submitted to:

THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT NEPAL MISSION

Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, Nepal

Submitted by:

WWF in partnership with CARE, FECOFUN and NTNC

P.O. Box 7660, Kathmandu, Nepal

First submitted on February 1, 2021

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Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ vii

1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................ 1

1.1 Goal and Objectives ...................................................................................................................... 1

1.2 Overview of Beneficiaries and Stakeholders ................................................................................ 1

1.3 Working Areas .................................................................................................................................... 2

2. SEMI-ANNUAL PERFORMANCE .................................................................................................... 5

2.1 Biodiversity Conservation ............................................................................................................. 5

2.2 Climate Change Adaptation ........................................................................................................ 18

2.3 Gender Equality and Social Inclusion ......................................................................................... 28

2.3 Governance ................................................................................................................................. 34

3. OVERARCHING THEMES AND ACTIVITIES .............................................................................. 41

3.1 Small Grants Program ................................................................................................................. 41

3.2 Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning ......................................................................................... 42

3.3 Communications ......................................................................................................................... 44

3.4 Sustainability and Legacy ........................................................................................................... 46

4. MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................................................ 48

4.1 Coordination and Collaboration .................................................................................................. 48

4.2 Budget vs. Expenditure ............................................................................................................... 49

4.3 Operating Environment including Risk and Mitigation Plan ...................................................... 49

5. LESSONS LEARNED, BEST PRACTICES AND SUCCESS STORIES ........................................ 51

6. CHALLENGES AND ANTICIPATED FUTURE PROBLEMS ....................................................... 52

7. OPPORTUNITIES AND PROSPECTS FOR REMAINING PERIOD ............................................. 53

7.1 Opportunities ............................................................................................................................... 53

7.2 Prospects for the Remaining Period ............................................................................................ 53

ANNEXES .................................................................................................................................................. 55

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List of Picture Picture 1: Hariyo Ban Program Working Areas……………………………………………………………2 Picture 2: Regular cleaning of the electric fence installed in blackbuck translocation site .......................... 6 Picture 3: Wild Water Buffalo Conservation Action Plan …………………………………………………7 Picture 4: Awareness event on Bijaysal conservation undertaken in Janahit Mahakali CF, Kanchanpur .... 8 Picture 5: CBAPU members facilitating awareness event in Kailali .......................................................... 10 Picture 6: CBAPU team in MCA during forest patrolling .......................................................................... 10 Picture 7: Collage highlighting grassland management research and preliminary results .......................... 12 Picture 8: A rhino sighted in waterhole in Nawalparasi, after maintenance work was done ...................... 13 Picture 9: Check dams built in Adheri Ambot CFUG (upstream of Phewa) for landslide stabilization and sediment retention, Kaski ............................................................................................................................ 13 Picture 10: Permanent plastic tunnel installed by farmers with the program support in Kanchanpur ........ 14 Picture 11: Block plantation (coffee) site in Adhikaridanda, Kaski ........................................................... 15 Picture 12: Women entrepreneurs of clay jewelry wearing a group dress during meeting ......................... 16 Picture 13: Trainee receiving technical guidance during door to door carpet weaving training ................. 16 Picture 14: Participants of the training (right) and participatory land-use map of Thakurbaba Municipality-9 prepared during the field exercise by the participants ........................................................ 19 Picture 15: Greenhouse constructed by local farmers in Jhong, Mustang .................................................. 22 Picture 16: Farmers using corn sheller in Gorkha ....................................................................................... 23 Picture 17: Irrigation canal constructed in Dhakani passes through farm lands, Dadeldhura ..................... 25 Picture 18: Screenshot taken during the virtual GESI Responsive Budgeting Workshop .......................... 30 Picture 19: GESI Coordinator undertaking focus group discussion in Chipleti CFUG, Syangja ............... 31 Picture 20: A group photo taken during the capacity building training, in Bedkot, Kanchanpur ............... 32 Picture 21: CAMC members attending review reflection meeting, Gorkha ............................................... 35 Picture 22: Glimpse of Policy Orientation event organized in Mustang..................................................... 36 Picture 23: Leaf bags prepared for growing vegetable seedlings................................................................ 37 Picture 24: Vice chairman, Phedikhola RM during Learning sharing and handover events, Syangja ....... 43 Picture 25: Tweet by US Ambassador on Hariyo Ban Program ................................................................. 45

List of Map

Map 1: Potential habitat of Bijaysal in Nepal ............................................................................................... 8

List of Table

Table 1: Major activities implemented in priority conservation complexes in TAL .................................... 3 Table 2: Major activities implemented in three sub-basins in CHAL........................................................... 4 Table 3: List of prepared DIA-RPs and implemented activities in this reporting period ........................... 27 Table 4: Major highlights of the policy advocacy works ............................................................................ 38 Table 5: Budget versus expenditure of combined year 1-5 till Dec 2020 ................................................... 49 Table 6: Total Budget vs. expenditure as of Dec. 2020 .............................................................................. 49

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List of Annex

Annex 1: List of NGOs/CSOs mobilized by regular and small grants program in this reporting period

Annex 2: Hariyo Ban II working areas covered during July 2020-December 2020

Annex 3: Summary of progress of activities – AWP Year 5 & carried forward from Year 4 (July-

December 2020)

Annex 4: Performance Indicator Tracking Table (PITT): July 2020- December 2020

Annex 5: List of Bijaysal Network Member CFUGs in Kanchanpur

Annex 6: Model Community Forests promoted under the Program

Annex 7a: List of Student Research Grant in Hariyo Ban II

Annex 7b: List of GON Grants in Hariyo Ban II

Annex 7c: List of CSOs and Private Sector Grants in Hariyo Ban II

Annex 8: List of News covered by Journalists provided with Fellowships:

Annex 9: Success Stories

Annex 10: List of Hariyo Ban Program Staff (July-December 2020)

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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS

ACA Annapurna Conservation Area ACORAB Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal AFU Agriculture and Forestry University AWP Annual Work Plan AWS Automated Weather Station BaNP Banke National Park BCC Biodiversity Conservation Center BCP Bardia Conservation Program BCT Brahmin, Chettri, Thakuri BD Biodiversity BDC Biodiversity Conservation BZ Buffer Zone BZCFUG Buffer Zone Community Forest Users Group BZUC Buffer Zone Users Committee CAMC Conservation Area Management Committee CAPA Community Adaptation Plan for Action CARE Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere CBAPU Community-based Anti-Poaching Unit CBO Community Based Organization CC Climate Change CCA Climate Change Adaptation CDB/CDOB Central Department of Botany CDES/CDOES Central Department of Environmental Science CDOG Central Department of Geography CDZ/CDOZ Central Department of Zoology CDPA Central Department of Public Administration CF Community Forest CFCC Community Forest Coordination Committee CFOP Community Forest Operational Plan CFUG Community Forest Users Group CHAL Chitwan Annapurna Landscape CLA Collaborating, Learning and Adapting CLAC Community Learning and Action Center CNP Chitwan National Park COVID-19 Corona Virus Disease 2019 CPC City Planning Commission CPS Center for Postgraduate Studies CSO Civil Society Organization CSRC Community Self Reliance Centre DANIDA Danish International Development Agency DCC District Coordination Committees DFO Division Forest Office DHM Department of Hydrology and Meteorology

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DIA-RP Differential Impact Assessment and Response Plan DQA Data Quality Assessment DRR Disaster Risk Reduction DS Downstream EEHV Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus F Female F2 Second Filial FECOFUN Federation of Community Forestry Users FoF Faculty of Forestry FRTC Forest Research and Training Center GBV Gender Based Violence GESI Gender Equality and Social Inclusion GoN Government of Nepal GOV Governance GRB Gender Responsive Budgeting Ha Hectare HBP Hariyo Ban Program HH Household HVC High Value Crop HWC Human-Wildlife Conflict IAAS Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science ICA Institutional Capacity Assessment ICB Institutional Capacity Building ICIMOD International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development IGA Income Generating Activity INGO International Government Organization IoF Institute of Forestry IPM Integrated Pest Management ISWMP Integrated Sub Watershed Management Plan IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature KAFCOL Kathmandu Forestry College Kg Kilogram KrCA Krishnasaar Conservation Area LAPA Local Level Adaptation Plan LCPV Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley LDCRP Local Disaster and Climate Resilience Plan LHFG Leasehold Forestry Group LI-BIRD Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research, and Development LI-BIRD Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research, and Development LOA Life of Activity LRP Local Resource Person M Male MCA Manaslu Conservation Area MCAP Manaslu Conservation Area Project

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MCF Model Community Forest MEL Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning MESMaN Marshyangdi ecosystem services management networks MoFE Ministry of Forests and Environment MoITFE Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment MoLMCPA Ministry of Land Management, Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation NA Not Applicable NARC Nepal Agricultural Research Council NEC Nepal Engineering College NEEDS National Environment and Equity Development Society NEFEJ Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists NFGF National Farmers Group Federation NGO Non-Governmental Organization NPWC National park and wildlife conservation NRM Natural Resource Management NRs Nepalese Rupees NTFP Non-Timber Forest Product NTNC National Trust for Nature Conservation PES Payment for Ecosystem Services PhD Doctor of Philosophy PHPA Public Hearing And Public Audit PITT Performance Indicator Tracking Table PSA Public Service Announcement PU Pokhara University PVSE Poor Vulnerable and Socially Excluded PWEMB Phewa Watershed Ecosystem Management Board RF Revolving Fund RM Rural Municipality SchEMS School of Environmental Science and Management SCP Shuklaphanta Conservation Program SERVIR HKH SERVIR Hindu Kush Himalaya SGP Small Grants Program SWCC Sub-Watershed Coordination Committee SWMO Soil and Watershed Management Office TAL Terai Arc Landscape TU Tribhuvan University U Unidentified UKAID United Kingdom Aid US Upstream USAID United States Agency for International Development USG United States Government WWF World Wildlife Fund

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This Semi-annual Performance Report of Hariyo Ban Program - II (hereinafter Hariyo Ban or Hariyo Ban II) covers the period from July 2020 to December 2020. The reporting period was severely impacted by COVID-19 and implementation of field activities, including those carried over from Year 4, was a challenging task. However, the Program adjusted its implementation modality while carrying out field level activities and also focused on consolidation and logical conclusions of the interventions, including documentation of the outcomes and learning, smooth handover to local governments, local implementing partners, community-based organizations, and beneficiaries. The Program conducted fifteen learning sharing events at local level with engagement of key stakeholders. The Program is approaching its closure in mid-July 2021 and has already accomplished most of the field level activities during this reporting period. By the end of this reporting period, Hariyo Ban has made significant progress in attaining indicator results as a result of strategic and deliberate efforts. By the end of December 2020, out of 50 indicators, the Program has met over 90% of targets for 45 indicators while 5 indicators achieved below 90%. With completion of ongoing Small Grants Program (SGP) projects, the target will be met by 100% for the remaining indicators.

The Program continued to focus its interventions in four biodiversity complexes in the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL): Shuklaphanta-Brahmadev, Bardia-Karnali, Banke-Kamdi; and, Chitwan-Barandabhar; and in three sub-river basins in Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape (CHAL): Seti, Marsyangdi, and Daraundi with strategic focus in Seti sub-river basin. The working area during this reporting period covered 14 districts, in which 2 Metropolitan Cities, 3 Sub-metropolitan Cities, 36 Municipalities and 38 Rural Municipalities were engaged for Program implementation. A total of 31,593 people benefitted directly from the Program in this period. Of these, 52.88% (16,705) were male and 47.12% (14,888) female. The beneficiaries include: 44.13% Brahmin, Chettri, Thakuri (BCT); 41.31% Janajati; 11.58% Dalit; 1.60% Newar; 0.11% Muslim and 1.26% Other. The Program worked closely with diverse stakeholders including Government of Nepal (GoN) at federal, provincial, and local levels; natural resource management (NRM) groups and their federations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), women groups, private sector, and media.

Biodiversity Conservation: During this reporting period, the Program focused on research, monitoring, and management of focal species (fauna and flora), ecosystems, critical corridors, mitigating the human-wildlife conflict in the landscapes and management of critical habitats such as grasslands and wetlands, including Ramsar sites; and important biodiversity areas, climate refugia, critical watersheds and corridors. A study on ecological carrying capacity of greater one-horned rhinoceros.

Supported by Hariyo Ban II, restoring the herbivores assemblages in their former ranges has been a flagship initiative of the Government of Nepal. Species translocation (rhino, black buck, and wild water buffalo) has been largely successful. The reintroduced population of black buck in Shuklaphanta has been performing very well producing F3 generation within a short span of seven years. Continuous monitoring and management of the translocated species are ongoing. The government has already inbuild management of translocated species in annual programs which is crucial as the Program is approaching phase out. The Program supported to upgrade the facility in the molecular lab during the reporting period as part of strengthening capacity and in-house facilities for research and monitoring. The lab is being utilized for diagnostic and research purposes. National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) has been leveraging resources for building the additional capacity for regularizing its operation at full scale in the future.

Hariyo Ban continued support to the Government of Nepal in devising several policy provisions. During the reporting period, the Program supported to prepare wild water buffalo conservation action plan which has already been endorsed by the government for implementation, and preliminary works on drafting the Blackbuck conservation action plan (2021-25) is underway.

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The Program also supported to draft Local Environment and Natural Resource Conservation Act for five local governments. Leaflets of four notorious invasive species including the features of individual species and management options (~4 species: Parthenium, Chromolaena, Mikania, and Lantana) have been prepared which will be used to create mass awareness and for educational purposes.

In Year-5, the Program continued its support to Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs) to conserve Bijayasal in its natural habitats in western TAL in Kanchanpur and Kailali. Overall Bijayasal conservation work was guided by Bijaysal Conservation Action Plan (2018-2022), the first floral conservation action plan prepared with Hariyo Ban’s support.

Awareness workshops to sensitize on behavior of major problematic animals including leopard and legal provision related with it were conducted during the period.

Hariyo Ban II continued scaling up the initiative and prioritizing the formation and mobilization of new Community-based Anti-Poaching Units (CBAPUs) and engaging with non-conventional partners, sensitizing on environmental crimes in critical points of north-south trade routes. This has contributed in significantly reducing wildlife poaching. In total, 415 CBAPUs in TAL and CHAL with 3,763 members are mobilized in areas sensitive to poaching. CBAPUs in these clusters are capacitated, supported for conducting meetings, drama shows and community awareness events. CBAPUs are units of CFUGs/Buffer Zone Community Forest Users Groups (BZCFUGs), and they will continue to function regularly as per their operational plan and constitution.

The Program in this reporting period completed renewal of 69 community forest operational plans (CFOPs) through technical support of division forest offices in CHAL and TAL incorporating the measures for sustainable use and management of natural resources along with equitable benefit sharing, and implementation of 24 CFOPs. The CFUGs will continue to implement the CFOPs benefiting ecosystems and communities and use their internal revenues to renew the operational plans.

In Year-5, supports were extended to all Model CFs, particularly on enterprise promotion, ecotourism and preparation of Differential Impact Assessment and Response Plan (DIA-RP in 5 Model CFs).

In this reporting period, various interventions including, restoration and management of critical corridor, grassland and wetland along with implementation of local level adaptation plan (LAPA) and integrated sub-watershed management plans helped in improvement of biophysical conditions in the landscapes. The Program also supported Government of Nepal to revise, populate and map out ecosystem and forest types in Nepal.

During the reporting period, as a part of species conservation, habitat restoration, livelihood and LAPA/ Integrated Sub Watershed Management Plans (ISWMPs) implementation, the Program supported plantation of fruit, fodder, and timber species on 57 ha of highly vulnerable sites in Banke, Chitwan, Kanchanpur, Kaski, Lamjung and Syangja districts for improving biophysical condition and generating additional income to the local communities.

The Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) in Phewa as the sustainable financing mechanism was established facilitating the upstream downstream linkages. With the support of PES basket fund, the upstream communities have completed a pond renovation, landslides treatment, and gully control works to control torrent and to trap sediments. Approximately 0.1 ha of degraded land has been reclaimed and paddy cultivation has been reinitiated. Also, vulnerability to landslide hazard has been reduced in surrounding community directly benefitting 40 households. The Phewa Watershed Ecosystem Management Board is owned by the local governments - chaired by Mayor of Pokhara Metropolitan city and the vice chair of

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board is chairperson of Annapurna Rural Municipality. Memorandum of understanding has been signed between upstream communities (service provider) and downstream service receiver i.e. hotel association.

Market based livelihoods: Building on learning from the first phase, the Hariyo Ban II has been supporting forest-dependent communities, particularly poor households from marginalized groups, who have limited livelihood options, with a focus on promoting market-based small, medium, and large enterprises in both TAL and CHAL. In this period, the Program focused on value addition of forest products, linking enterprises and products with market, and strengthening of existing enterprises. In addition, NRM groups’ resource mobilization, including revolving funds, to promote market-based livelihood options, was the major strategy for upscaling. The Program tracked income from different small and medium scale enterprises, which shows that 3,629 households (HHs) i.e.~3,629 individuals have made income of NRs. 51,765,095 during July to December 2020.

Climate Change Adaptation: Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) component aims at reducing climate change vulnerability in CHAL and TAL. During this reporting period, the Program continued LAPAs and Integrated Sub Watershed Management Plans implementation building on the previous successful activities. GESI and governance, as the cross-cutting themes have been adequately mainstreamed during mobilization of different community institutions. Several assessments and studies were conducted in order to document the Program’s successes and best practices. Similarly, activities like capacity building, recharge pond construction, repair/maintenance of runoff-harvesting dam and embankment (constructed for river/stream bank protection) were also completed. These activities contributed to climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and maintain corridor/landscape functionality. The consortium partners have come together while implementing for CCA- Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) activities within LAPA and integrating DIA-RP in model CFUGs.

The Program also focused its support to implement adaptation activities identified in 25 LAPAs. Similarly, the Program provided support for Climate Smart/ Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) friendly technology, such as corn shellers and improved looms to reduce the workload of women. Seeing the effectiveness of the tools and technologies, the local governments and CFUGs have shown their commitment and interest for replication. Some CFUGs like Chandistan in Chitwan, Kadeni Tallovanjyang, Byadchaur and Tarebhir in Kaski have already started replicating these tools and technologies in their respective areas.

The Program supported implementation of Phusre, Khageri, Khudi-Marsyangdi, Pantura and Radha Khola ISWMPs. Major activities implemented include capacity building of the sub-watershed management committees that coordinate and oversee the implementation of ISWMPs, watershed residents and stakeholders, embankment and recharge pond construction, water source protection, construction of predator proof corals, check dam construction etc. These activities are expected to reduce soil erosion in the watershed, improve water quality, protect livestock from wildlife and capacitate the local communities to undertake watershed management activities more effectively. The sub-watershed management committees regularly coordinate with Soil and Watershed Management Offices to seek technical assistance in implementation of different activities. This is an important indication for sustainability of the Program.

To reduce climate-induced hazards and risks to people and ecosystems, the Program has been supporting different disaster risk reduction activities through various DRR and management efforts. The local government units who have prepared and rolled out local disaster and climate resilience plans (LDCRPs) and units that are underway to prepare the Disaster Preparedness and Response Plans (DPRPs) will be continuing the implementation of these plans by allocating resources through their annual budgets. The district emergency operation centers in Kailali, Banke, Tanahu, Kaski etc. were supported for capacity building and equipped. These institutions are expected to use skills and equipment for disaster risks reduction when needed.

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During the reporting period, the Program supported agro-met advisory services in three farmer-groups of Duduwa Rural Municipality-5, Banke and capacity building of the local partner and farmers to address the climate related issues. The Krishi Gyan Kendra (Agriculture knowledge center) in collaboration with local government provides agro-met advisory and farmers group network will continue to disseminate information. Differential impact assessment and response plans are integrated into CFOPs of five model CFUGs where Community adaptation plan of action (CAPA) were prepared in first phase.

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion: GESI, one of the key cross-cutting themes of Hariyo Ban II continued its effort to mainstream GESI across both result areas and minimize GESI barriers in natural resource management sector. Building on from first phase, GESI Analysis and Action Plan was prepared as a guiding document to address the key GESI gaps throughout the Program with clear mandates to all consortium partners. GESI mainstreaming Guidelines was another crucial document that made women's 50% participation mandatory in all activities of Hariyo Ban and listed a number of GESI mainstreaming entry points in each result area of all main and cross-cutting components.

In Year-5, the activities were more concentrated on producing knowledge products, undertaking studies, and conducting the documentation process. A study on Value Addition of GESI and Governance on Hariyo Ban Program is underway. GESI is increasingly integrated in major events, documentation, communication materials. For instance, all 15-learning sharing and handover events organized at the landscape level have incorporated a section on GESI, where GESI related major achievements, challenges and learnings were shared. The Community Learning and Action Center (CLAC) approach was well appreciated by the stakeholders for being instrumental in women’s empowerment and social transformation. Thus, two meetings of Hariyo Ban GESI focal points group were organized virtually during this reporting period. Such meetings were found to be supportive in building common understanding and building synergy among the focal points and helpful in enhancing GESI knowledge and techniques.

Governance: The Governance theme focused on two broad areas: 1) institutional capacity building of NRM groups and institutional governance; and 2) creating enabling environment and policies for user groups and other stakeholders to better conserve biodiversity and adapt to climate change. In this reporting period, the Program focused on outcome mapping of Institutional Capacity Building (ICB), review reflection of ICB process, capacity building of government staffs on ICB, refinement of ICB tool/ICB packages, legacy documentation, and engagement in policy discourse.

During this reporting period, four events of review reflection and learning sharing workshop was conducted in Tanahun, Mustang and Gorkha districts to share the progress, issues, challenges, and learning's among the groups about ICB package, process and progress made. Similarly, capacity building activities were conducted for NRM groups, FECOFUN and government officials.

The Program developed and applied the ICA tool and ICB packages/manuals in phase II and completed its first cycle of application. The Program realized to refine the tools in view of the changed policies, acts, and guidelines, and, also to incorporate experiences and learning from its application, while applying the tools and packages. The refined ICA tool and ICB packages are under review by the Hariyo Ban Working Group. FECOFUN has developed "Local FECOFUN and CFUGs institutional capacity building" guideline with an objective to scale out the reflective institutional capacity building approach throughout the country (753 Palikas) in the coming days and started piloting. As a result, the reflective ICB process is scaled out in additional 165 CFUGs.

The Program has supported capacity building of local institutions to promote local solutions for natural resources management. During this reporting period, the Program supported to conduct four events pertaining to the use of leaf bag technical training. The respective farmers and the institutions willingly

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expressed their commitment to continue and replicate this practice to all households in the area in coming seasons.

The Program continues engagement and follow up with policy makers for new policy formulation, existing policies reformulation and effective implementation of existing policies. Within this reporting period, the Program was engaged in preparing policy briefs, orientation and advocacy plan development and advocacy plan implementation.

As part of its engagement in the policy discourse, the Program supported preparing policy briefs and policy advocacy plans. The policy briefs are an integral part of the policy advocacy. Similarly, it also supported in implementation of the advocacy plans through engagement with the policy makers and government agencies during the implementation of advocacy plans and associated activities. Such efforts are also playing an important role at national level to create pressure to the concerned agencies in order to promote effective implementation of policies at different levels.

Similarly, a National level learning sharing workshop was held on Model Community Forest (MCF) with an objective to share ideas, concepts, learnings, challenges, and opportunities of Model CF.

Small Grants Program: The Small Grants Program in Hariyo Ban II (Windows of Opportunity in the first phase), has been executed to ensure innovation, capacity building, research testing and promote innovative science and technology, pilot new approaches/tools focusing on ecological and community resilience-building. The SGP provides funding support in four major areas: i) Short-term research through students, ii) Civil Society Organization and private sector grants, iii) Government agencies grants, and iv) grants for Disaster Response and Management. This year, an additional 35 students received support to undertake their academic research work to fulfil partial requirement of their degrees. So far, a total of 189 students received grants and completed their academic research grants from the Program. Additional 10 grants were issued to government agencies during this reporting period, totaling the number of grants to 30. The Program also focused on concluding the ongoing CSO grants. Under Disaster Response and Management grant, 15 municipalities and rural municipalities in CHAL and TAL are supported to prepare/review their Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan. For remaining period, the program will conduct separate conferences with grant receiving students and CSOs, finalize the compendium of student theses and continue to support the government grants.

Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) activities during the reporting period were focused more on learning and knowledge management, capacity building, end line assessment, field monitoring and data quality assessments. Particularly, the MEL Unit constantly worked with program teams to review the progress on indicator targets. This has largely helped to increase stewardship of consortium partners on Performance Indicator Tracking Table (PITT) targets and put consolidated efforts in attaining targets by updating and adapting to new strategies. Most of the indicator targets have been achieved proportionate to the time elapsed, even Life of Activity (LOA) target of some indicators has already been achieved. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, many planned events during the reporting period such as small assessment, review reflection meetings at various levels, monitoring visits and Data Quality Assessments (DQA) could not be conducted as stipulated.

Communications: The Communications Unit continued its focus on maintaining the profile of the Hariyo Ban Program through strategic stakeholder engagement. Supporting knowledge and legacy documentation was a major priority in this reporting period.

Operating Environment, Risks and Mitigation Measures: The operating environment during the reporting period continued to be affected by Covid-19 pandemic. From October onwards, the absolute number of infection (according to government data) has significantly come down although the infection rate has not

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come down to a safe zone yet. The strict lockdown was further eased by the government considering agriculture and festive seasons. Taking opportunities of the eased situation, Hariyo Ban Program continued to implement its fifth-year activities ensuring safety of the Hariyo Ban team, community people and other stakeholders by diligently following the safety measures as outlined in the Risk Mitigation Plan.

The political situation remained more or less stable throughout the reporting period. But on 20th December 2020, the Prime Minister dissolved the federal parliament and announced fresh election to be held May 2021. This political decision has resulted in disruption of functioning of government at the federal level and similar disruption at the provincial level is being feared leading to a new phase of political instability.

Considering the fact that Hariyo Ban has completed almost all field level activities by December 2020 and met its most of the commitments, there will be no serious implications on the Program requiring preparation of a special mitigation plan. Nevertheless, Hariyo Ban team will closely follow the political developments in coming months and take all precautionary measures to ensure smooth functioning of the Program for the remaining period.

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1. INTRODUCTION

Funded by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Hariyo Ban Program-II (Hariyo Ban II) commenced its implementation from July 15, 2016. The Program runs for a period of five years and is a continuation of Hariyo Ban first phase. The Program is implemented by a consortium of four partners: World Wildlife Fund (WWF) (prime recipient), Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE), National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), and the Federation of Community Forestry Users in Nepal (FECOFUN). Hariyo Ban works on two core and interwoven thematic components: (1) biodiversity conservation and (2) climate change adaptation. Market-based livelihoods, gender equality and social inclusion, and governance are important crosscutting themes. The Program is running in its final year and this semi-annual performance report covers the period from July 2020-December 2020.

1.1 Goal and Objectives

Building on the foundation laid in first phase, Hariyo Ban II aims to increase ecological and community resilience in the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape and the Terai Arc Landscape through two specific objectives:

o Objective 1: Improve the conservation and management of GoN identified biodiverse landscapes, CHAL and TAL; and

o Objective 2: Reduce climate change vulnerability in CHAL and TAL.

GESI and governance as cross-cutting themes are mainstreamed across two broad objectives.

1.2 Overview of Beneficiaries and Stakeholders

Hariyo Ban II continued to work with governmental and non-governmental partners at federal, provincial, and local levels to roll out annual work plan for Year-5. Poor, Dalits, indigenous people, Janajatis, youth, wildlife affected families and vulnerable men and women representing various natural resources management (NRM) groups are the primary target communities of the Program. The major beneficiaries, stakeholders and partners include:

• Local communities and groups with focus on poor, vulnerable and socially excluded (PVSE) people including users from NRM groups and their networks, and local resource persons (LRPs). NRM groups include Community Forest Users Groups (CFUGs); Buffer Zone Community Forest Users Groups; Buffer Zone Users Committees (BZUCs); Conservation Area Management Committees (CAMCs); Leasehold Forestry Groups (LHFGs), and women/youth groups.

• GoN agencies

Federal level

Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) and its Departments, River Basin Management Centers, Division/Sub-Division Forest Offices (DFO) and Protected Areas (National Parks, Conservation Areas and Buffer Zones)

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Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration Postal and custom authorities at different checkpoints

Province level Provincial governments in Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudur Paschim

Province and their Ministries Soil Conservation and Watershed Management Offices District Coordination Committees (DCCs), and other government line

agencies at district level Local level

Metropolitan Cities (2), Sub-Metropolitan Cities (3), Municipalities (36) and

Rural Municipalities (38)

• 26 NGOs and CSOs. Refer Annex 1 for detail list of NGOs/CSOs. • Research institutions • Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research, and Development (LI-BIRD) • International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) • FECOFUN – Provincial, District and Local chapters • Private sector and Media

During this reporting period, 31,593 people benefitted from the Program. Of the beneficiaries, 52.88% (16,705) were male and 47.12% (14,888) female. The detailed ethnic breakdown includes: 44.13% Brahmin, Chettri, Thakuri (BCT); 41.31% Janajati; 11.58% Dalit; 1.60% Newar; 0.11% Muslim and 1.26% Other. By age group, 6.99% were 15-19 years old, 7.10% were 20-24 years old, 8.42% 25-29 years old, 10.64% 30-34 years old, and 49.02% were older than 34. Among the total beneficiaries, 5,150 people, or 16.30%, are poor.

1.3 Working Areas

The Program in Year 5 continued to focus implementation in four biodiversity complexes (Shuklaphanta-Brahmadev, Bardia-Karnali, Banke-Kamdi and Chitwan-Barandabhar) in TAL and three sub-river basins (Seti, Marshyangdi and Daraundi) in CHAL with more focused interventions in Seti (Figure 1). The key working area covers 14 districts: 6 in TAL (Banke, Bardia, Dadeldhura, Dang, Kailali and Kanchanpur) and 8 in CHAL (Chitwan, Gorkha, Kaski, Lamjung, Mustang, Nawalparasi, Syangja and Tanahu). While focusing on the implementation of activities in 21 working sites, the Program in first half of Year-5 covered a total of 2 Metropolitan Cities, 3 Sub-metropolitan Cities, 36 Municipalities and 38 Rural Municipalities. In CHAL, the Program worked in 2 Metropolitan Cities, 21 Municipalities and 27 Rural

Picture 1: Hariyo Ban Program Working Areas

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Municipalities. In TAL, the Program covered 3 Sub-metropolitan Cities, 15 Municipalities and 11 Rural Municipalities. The detailed description of the intervention areas is provided in Annex 2.

Furthermore, the strategic activities related to wildlife crime, trade control and addressing human-wildlife conflict, policy level and out scaling of governance interventions were implemented beyond the boundaries of TAL and CHAL. As such, activities were conducted in 17 districts, namely Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, Kavrepalanchok, Lalitpur, Makwanpur and Rasuwa in Bagmati Province; Baglung in Gandaki Province; Salyan in Karnali; Arghakhanchi and Gulmi in Lumbini; Jhapa, Khotang, Morang, Solukhumbu and Taplejung districts in Province 1; Bara in Province 1 and Darchula in Sudur Paschim province

The major activities implemented in four different complexes in TAL and sub-basins in CHAL are presented in Table 1 & 2.

Table 1: Major activities implemented in priority conservation complexes in TAL

Suklaphanta-Brahmadev Bardia-Karnali Banke-Kamdi Chitwan-Barandabhar

Blackbuck habitat management and monitoring; up-scaling Bijaysal conservation; Human wildlife conflict mitigation initiatives; support for implementation of Pantura and Chaudhar (Radha) ISWMPs, Bedkot LAPA; promotion of Model Community Forest, open grazing management initiatives; and some livelihood focused interventions- homestays, vegetable farming etc. GESI and Governance strengthening interventions.

Action research on grassland management; grassland/ wetland management; promotion of Model Community Forest, livelihood strengthening initiatives such as Madal making; support for implementation and review of Thakurbaba strategic master plan; GESI and Governance strengthening interventions. Kamdi corridor restoration initiatives; promotion of Model CF; implementation of local adaptation plans; support for livelihood interventions: fish farming, vegetable farming; promotion and extension of agro- advisory services.

Monitoring and management of reintroduced wild water buffaloes; wildlife disease surveillance and capacity building on molecular science; promotion of Model CF; implementation of ISWMP of Khageri Khola and local adaptation plans; promotion of eco-tourism, wool weaving, honey and dairy enterprises; support for promotion of climate smart, time and energy saving, GESI friendly technologies and practices for agriculture and domestic use through demonstration and action research.

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Table 2: Major activities implemented in three sub-basins in CHAL

Seti Marshyangdi Daraundi

Support to implement Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley (LCPV) management plan; support CFUGs for Community Forest Operational Plan revision and implementation; restoration of critical bottleneck areas through plantation; strengthening the Phewa Payment for Environmental Services; strengthening of Model CF; support for implementation of Dhand (Sukhaura-Khudi Khola), Kyangdi Khola, Phusre Khola and Lower Harpan Khola ISWMPs; implementation of local adaptation plans; promotion of climate smart, time and energy saving, GESI friendly technologies and practices for agriculture and domestic use through demonstration and action research; strengthening of coffee, cardamom, bel and other enterprises

Promotion of Model CF; support for strengthening and implementation of Mid-Marshyangdi PES together with Khudi- Marshyangdi ISWMP; promotion of eco-tourism

Support CFUGs for CFOP revision; support for implementation of local GESI and Governance strengthening interventions adaptation plans; Support for conservation of pangolin.

Long term monitoring of climate change in the context of biodiversity conservation through permanent plots in different altitudinal gradient ranging from about 100 m in Chitwan to over 4,500 m in Kali Gandaki sub-basin. Greening trans-Himalayan region activities was continued in the Upper Mustang areas. Strengthening GESI and governance of NRM groups were implemented in all complexes and sub-river basins. Activities related to human-wildlife conflict and combating wildlife crime were implemented across TAL and CHAL and beyond the Hariyo Ban II working landscape boundaries.

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2. SEMI-ANNUAL PERFORMANCE

The Program implemented activities at the central level and across the two landscapes in line with the approved Annual Work Plan (AWP), to meet its broader objective of increasing ecological and community resilience in the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape and the Terai Arc Landscape. The main focus during this reporting period was completion of field level activities including those carried over from Year 4, wrapping up the documentation of achievements, results and learning and ensuring effective implementation of sustainability plan and exit strategy. Major achievements under each Result Area and crosscutting themes are detailed in different sections below. The six-monthly progress on Year-5 Work Plan is provided in Annex 3. The progress on Year 5 indicator targets achieved in the period of July-Dec. 2020 is given in the Annex 4.

2.1 Biodiversity Conservation

Result 1.1: Threats to Target Species Reduced

This result area includes research, monitoring, and management of focal species (fauna and flora), ecosystems, critical corridors, and mitigating human-wildlife conflict in the two working landscapes. During the reporting period, interventions related with combating poaching and wildlife trade focused on engagement with Community-based Anti-Poaching Units’ networks, non-conventional partners such as postal services, custom offices, transportation system and judiciaries. Engagement with government bodies at three tiers (federal, provincial, and local) and NRM groups; and partnership with local NGOs and private sectors enhanced smooth implementation of Year-5 Work Plan.

Species Research, Monitoring and Management

Ecological Carrying Capacity Study: Ecological carrying capacity of greater one-horned rhinoceros’ study is currently underway for estimating the number of rhinoceros the founder population of Chitwan National Park can hoard at a given time. Carrying capacity study will be based on habitat and rainfall characteristics followed by population parameters (prey base, mortality, birthrate, inter calving ratio etc.). The report is due in June 2021. Proposed rhino count (~scheduled for March 2021) shall complement the ongoing study. The results from this study will guide for future management of donor population in Chitwan and translocated populations in Bardia and Shuklaphanta National Parks; and impetus of further translocation will depend on the number of rhinoceros one area can hold.

A country-wide assessment of red panda distribution, conducted along the mid-hills and terai plains, showed a presence in 45 districts. A recent publication in Plos One highlighted the baseline for habitat occupancy by red panda along its potential habitat in mid hills and high mountains. This publication shall complement ongoing efforts of The Red Panda Conservation Action Plan (2018-2022) providing the baseline information on their distribution.

Performance of Herbivore Assemblages: Restoring the herbivores assemblages in their former ranges has been a flagship initiative of the Government of Nepal supported by Hariyo Ban II. Species translocation

Conservation Thread: Between 2010-2020, over 50 articles published in peer reviewed journals with funding support from Hariyo Ban program.

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following International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) standard guidelines for reintroductions has been successful – Greater one-horn rhinoceros (1986-2017 – Hariyo Ban supported for 2017 translocation) in Bardia and Suklaphanta National Parks; Blackbuck (2012-2015) in Suklaphanta National Park and wild water buffalo (2017) in Chitwan National Park, and re-stocking swamp deer (2016-2017) population in Chitwan and Bardia National Parks. Blackbuck reintroduction (2012-2015) has been successful as performance of species is remarkable with conservation initiatives in place within a 59 ha soft enclosure. The population has attained F3 generation within a short time span and reached a viable level (~113 individuals; 36M: 54F: 23U). Overall management of black buck population in Shukla is site specific Conservation Action Plan (2016-2020) prepared during the first phase, with Hariyo Ban II support. Habitat management provides adequate foraging and breeding ground with intensive management through enrichment (~110 tree plantation for cover, high protein plant cultivation in ~4 ha etc.) and veterinary care. To mitigate the risk arising from flooding, mounds have also been constructed, using funds leveraged from the Government with learning and experience from Krishnasaar Conservation Area (KrCA). This population can now become a source population for enriching individuals in other sites.

Reintroduction of wild water buffalo (2016) and swamp deer (2016-2017) have yielded mixed results. During the reporting period, wild water buffalo conservation initiatives in Chitwan National Park have been focused on strengthening semi in-situ measures, such as maintenance of existing soft enclosures, habitat enrichment, timely grassland management, wetland (pond) maintenance and regular monitoring of health and their group interaction. The presence of F2 generation and recruitment of five calves in the populations show that habitat is becoming suitable for these bovines and performance is improving despite unpredictable stochastic events, such as flood. The current population is estimated at 15 individuals1. In the last fiscal year, the government of Nepal invested NRs 10 million (~US$ 100,000) to expand additional 12 ha enclosure aiming at providing additional space for growing numbers. (~12 ha) totaling to 42 ha. Swamp deer population translocated in new habitat in Chitwan could not grow due to mortality by high flood in 2016. Population is now estimated at 1 individual. No plan has yet been made for restocking this species.

Expanding Genetic Approach: The Hariyo Ban Program initiated a genetic approach to conservation in Nepal. Developing capacity and in-house facilities for research and monitoring have been adopted in Hariyo

1 1 Unfortunately, two female wild water buffaloes were killed by tiger that intruded into the enclosure. Tiger was captured from the enclosure and release into wild. Enclosure was maintained to avoid such situation. Population estimated at ~13 individuals.

Picture 1: Regular cleaning of the electric fence installed in blackbuck translocation site

Conservation Thread: F3 generation of Blackbuck has been recorded while population

size has doubled in last seven years from intensive conservation initiatives. Performance of species

has been excellent.

Conservation Thread: Increase in breeding population of Wild Water Buffalo in Chitwan National Park after their translocation suggesting good performance by bovines in their former range.

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Ban II. A standard molecular laboratory has been established at NTNC’s Biodiversity Conservation Center (BCC) in Chitwan. Year-5 support focused on upgrading the facility with new equipment with stereo zoom research microscope. In addition to genetic screening of focal species, such as musk deer (Moschus cupreus), pangolin (species monitoring), swamp deer (population monitoring), elephant (Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus (EEHV)); research on wild water buffalo has been completed. To date, 15 research activities have been completed in the facilities and 5 peer review papers on wildlife genetics (snow leopard, musk deer, wolf, and wild water buffalo) have been published complementing genetic approach to conservation in Nepal.

Figure 1: Timeline of facility upgrading at Molecular Lab

Policy support: The parliament has passed a bill on Local Government Operation Act 2074 (2017) entrusting local government for planning and implementation of activities for holistic development of their municipalities. Hariyo Ban Program and Bheemdatt Municipality in Far-western region in TAL collaborated to prepare municipality’s 25 Years of Strategic Master Plan. During the semi-annual reporting period, the master plan was endorsed and is currently under implementation.

Hariyo Ban also continued support to the Government of Nepal in devising conservation action plans for focal species. During the reporting period: wild water buffalo conservation action plan was prepared with the support from Hariyo Ban and has already been endorsed by the government. Blackbuck conservation action plan (2021-25) is being processed for drafting the plan during the reporting period. This will cover the conservation priorities for species both in Bardia’s Krishnasaar Conservation Area and Shuklaphanta.

The Program also supported drafting of Local Environment and Natural Resource Conservation Act for the five local governments namely, Bheemdatt Municipality, Kanchanpur; Besisahar Municipality, Lamjung;

Picture 3: Wild Water Buffalo Conservation Action Plan

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Phedikhola Municipality, Syangja; Myagde Rural Municipality, Tanahu and Thakurbaba Municipality, Bardia. Bheemdutt Municipality has already endorsed the Act. This Act will serve as a model for other local governments to follow as it is mandatory for all the local government to prepare it for their jurisdiction under the prevailing law.

Alien and Invasive Species Awareness Documentation: Outreach materials detailing natural history of four notorious invasive alien plant species (~4 species: Parthenium, Chromolaena, Mikania and Lantana) including management options have been prepared. These leaflets will be distributed among community forests and other areas where they are observed. It is expected that these species informational leaflets will serve community to raise awareness, generate knowledge on their management and could prohibit them from further spread.

Conservation of Floral Species

Conservation of floral species, such as Bijaysal (Pterocarpus marsupium) and Champ (Michelia champaca) is one of the high priority initiatives under Hariyo Ban II. Bijaysal has a restricted distribution and is found in the mid and western TAL. Year-5 focus has been to support implementation of priority activities identified by the Bijaysal Conservation Action Plan (2018-2022) with more emphasis on sharing the conservation initiative undertaken in Bijaysal conservation, awareness raising in the western complex of TAL including the action research such as Bijaysal distribution modelling. The workshop targeted the relevant ~20 CFUGs representing Bijaysal Conservation Network. List of CFUGs in network is provided in Annex 5. The workshop aimed to prepare a priority list of actions identified by the Action Plan as a way forward for Bijaysal conservation in the coming years. Few other priority conservation initiatives include awareness raising program among 3 CF’s and counting Bijaysal trees in 4 CFs (~4,449 stands) and additional plantation of 500 seedlings in one of the CFs. These 8 CFs are among the hotspots for Bijaysal conservation in Kanchanpur.

Bijaysal Population Modelling: This study focused on predicting the spatial distribution of Bijaysal using a multiscale ecological niche model based on both climate and habitat variables, applying different algorithms for the same data. The study revealed the first information on Bijaysal distribution inside and outside the protected area in Nepal. The field-based data exhibited that Bijaysal was primarily recorded in sub-tropical mixed deciduous forest within the range of Chure and Siwalik. The majority of distribution of the Bijaysal is found outside the protected area.

Managing of human-wildlife interaction

Picture 5: Awareness event on Bijaysal conservation undertaken in Janahit Mahakali CF, Kanchanpur

Map 1: Potential habitat of Bijaysal in Nepal

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Managing human-wildlife conflicts have been challenging. Curative and preventive measures focusing on policy formulation to field actions have been stepping-stones to build the bridge to manage the human-wildlife conflict in the long run, facilitating community resilience. Curative measures such as national level relief fund for HWC established in the first phase and sub river basin level (Seti sub-basin) innovative model of HWC relief fund are the few interventions which had a potential to be replicated at a larger scale. To date, 61 families from 13 districts have directly benefited from the scheme. Seti sub-basin level relief fund mechanism has been scaled out in the Marshyangdi Sub river basin. A total of NRs. 750,000 fund has been established in collaboration with Marshyangdi rural municipality based on learning and mechanism developed for Seti sub-river basin. Awareness workshops through 44 events were conducted in Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) prone districts focusing on 1,230 community forest users (551 F, 679 M) to sensitize on behavior of major problematic animals including leopard, as well as information on the provisions for relief fund.

A total of 26 capacity building training events to 614 forest guards (~129 female) related with HWC mitigation measures were also conducted in Basanta and Brahmadev corridor. The training focused on wildlife crime scenario at national and international level; community engagement and forest guard's role in wildlife crime control; forest guard penalties as per the prevailing laws related to wildlife crime control; HWC relief fund mechanism; and discussed on major issues of poaching in western TAL. After the training, it is anticipated that the forest guard will support in patrolling with antipoaching related activities in corridors and community forests.

As part of preventive measures, support for the maintenance of power fences (5.35 km) in Manaslu Conservation Area (MCA) has been beneficial to communities to prevent crop damage at such high elevation. As revealed by a questionnaire survey among concerned community members, the fence has reduced human wildlife conflict by 94% whereas saved 25.99 kg/ha of maize annually from potential crop raiding from wildlife. In addition, support to build predator proof corrals among 56 households in Kanchanpur helped to reduce the livestock depredation by leopards.

Combatting Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade

Hariyo Ban is working closely with the government agencies and community-based institutions to curb poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking since the first phase of the Program. Hariyo Ban II continued scaling up the initiative and prioritizing the formation and mobilization of new Community-based Anti-Poaching Units (CBAPUs) and engaging with non-conventional partners, sensitizing on environmental crimes in critical points of north-south trade routes. Hariyo Ban II’s contribution in combatting wildlife trade has been significant in achieving zero rhino poaching. However, threat to wildlife has increased under the prevailing conditions caused by COVID19.

A total, 415 CBAPUs were mobilized supporting the enforcement agencies along strategic routes in both TAL and CHAL. CBAPUs are grouped into different clusters for effective coordination and communication and rapid response with immediate action as issues and threats are site specific. Cluster level CBAPUs have their own experiences, challenges, new ideas which can be shared to other sub-clusters and can generate a synergic effect in combating wildlife crime. A total of 14 cluster level meetings of CBAPUs was completed in Banke, Kailali, Kaski, Chitwan, Tanahun and Nawalparasi to create a platform where CBAPUs from different cluster level can build a cordial relationship among each other, share experiences, information,

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learnings, new ideas and challenges, and find out local solutions. Some local issues such as wildlife straying in settlements causing human-wildlife conflicts were discussed in the meetings. Capacity building trainings were also organized for 217 CBAPU members including 73 females. No wildlife crime activities were reported in this reporting period in all clusters. Two deer, a boar, and a python were rescued by CBAPUs in Nawalparasi. CBAPUs continued their monthly meetings and regularly conducted monitoring even during the COVID19 related lockdown period.

a. Formation of clusters: 3 to 5 CBAPUs of same geographical area come together to form a cluster. A cluster has 11-15 CBAPU members representing respective CBAPUs. These clusters are formed in strategic locations where community awareness on biodiversity conservation is relatively low and threats of poaching, illegal logging, HWC incidents are observed relatively high.

b. Interaction and engagement with CFUGs and local government: Altogether, 23 interaction meetings among 579 persons (372 M, 207 F) representing CFUGs, CBAPU members and local governments were organized to build stronger relationship to tackle the issues of their area.

c. Awareness programs through CBAPUs: A total of 24 awareness raising events were conducted by CBAPUs in respective clusters and corridors among 470 people focusing on HWC management, reducing poaching and illegal wildlife trade, as well as illegal logging. The mobilization of youth in conservation has supported enforcement agencies to control illegal felling of trees, grazing, encroachment, and poaching.

d. CBAPU Mobilization: Successful management of protected areas ultimately depends on the cooperation and support of local people. In order to address the challenges of illegal activities, CBAPUs’ contribution has been highly appraised. For example, mobilization of 7 CBAPUs in MCA in the first phase helped to confiscate 33 guns and several snares to trap the wildlife. This effort was continued in second phase where support was provided to mobilize four CBAPUs in critical areas (Sirdibas, Chumchet, Chhekampar and Lho) in MCA. Mobilization of CBAPUs, awareness programs and surveillance activities from concerned authorities have helped in minimizing the illegal activities in the area.

Result 1.2: Threats to Target Landscape Reduced

Picture 16: CBAPU members facilitating awareness event in Kailali

Picture 19: CBAPU team in MCA during forest patrolling

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Based on the results achieved from the first phase and last three years of Hariyo Ban II, the Program focused on management of critical habitat such as grasslands and wetlands including wetlands of international importance (Ramsar site) in core areas and critical corridors in TAL and important biodiversity areas, climate refugia, critical watersheds, and corridors in CHAL. With different interventions, the Program intends to improve the biophysical conditions of the biodiverse areas/critical habitats and conservation of water resources. These interventions have direct/indirect linkages with climate change adaption through improvement in biophysical conditions in LAPA and ISWMP implementation sites.

Community Forest Management

The program supported the District Forest Offices in the renewal of 799 Community Forest Operation Plans (including 69 new) CFUGs along the corridors and bottleneck areas identified along biodiverse areas in CHAL and TAL, covering 59,473 ha to date. The Program in this reporting period completed the renewal of 69 community forest operational plans (CFOPs) through technical support of division forest offices in CHAL and TAL incorporating the measures for sustainable use and management of natural resources along with equitable benefit sharing. Similarly, the program has supported implementation of 24 CFOPs in this period. Interventions include waterhole construction, plantation of native plant species in degraded community forest areas, nursery development, and fire line construction and maintenance. CFOP renewal is expected to address the site-specific conservation issues, corridor functionality and address any critical climate change issues.

Innovative Model CF: In simple terms, “Model CF” is one that tends to meet all criteria mentioned in the Community Forest Development Guidelines 2065 (i.e., in 2008) showing an integrated result: from good governance to good silviculture operations; from engagement of women to marginalized communities, and from conservation to sustainable use of forest resources. Piloting of model CF started in the first year of Hariyo Ban II and till now 12 CFs (1,506 ha; one CF identified in each complex and sub-basins) have adopted Model CF approach developed by Hariyo Ban II. Each model CF has special forest-based livelihood packages (green enterprises, vegetable and broom enterprise, eco-tourism) which tend to bring in the financial stability within the CF; while sustainable forest management bring life to the community forest with respect to forest health through various conservation interventions (silviculture operation, plantation, conservation ponds, fire line construction, good governance practices). In Year-5, supports were extended to all Model CFs to make them biodiversity friendly, climate smart, GESI sensitive, pro-poor and to promote best practices of good governance. During the reporting period, Hariyo Ban support was targeted to strengthen green (lapsi) enterprise , bee keeping (~20 HHs), pig farming (~6 HHs), small infrastructure developments, exchange visits among the model CFs together with local and provincial government representatives (~29 participants), ecotourism support and preparation of Differential Impact Assessment and Response Plan in 4 Model CFs (Annex 6 for detail information on Model CF).

The COVID-19 impact on Lapsi enterprise: As the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, the forest-based enterprises were also severely impacted. Lapsi enterprise was partially impacted by the pandemic. As the market was closed for several months due to lockdown, the products ready to be sold had to be stored for a long time. The sale of Lapsi pickle took a huge plunge decreasing the revenue the CF used to collect in previous years. The Regional Forest Directorate, Pokhara had planned to support for the installation of cold store in Lapsi enterprise but it was cancelled due to the pandemic. The enterprise had to sell their products in low price. Nevertheless, it helped to open the space for storage and also helped to sell the products before the quality was degraded.

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Critical Habitat Management

Hariyo Ban Program has been prioritizing its work around the high-pressure points of critical habitats (wildlife corridor, grassland, wetland) to reduce the threats and vulnerabilities along with implementation of local adaptation plan of action (LAPA) and integrated sub-watershed management plans. Plantation of ~95,945 seedlings of different native plant species was carried out in 57 ha area of highly vulnerable sites in Banke, Chitwan, Kanchanpur, Kaski, Lamjung and Syangja. Additional 15,745 saplings of multi-purpose tree species were planted in 35 ha of public and private lands in Kaski to enrich ongoing agroforestry work. Similarly, a total of 2,400 lemon trees have been planted in 6 ha of abandoned private lands in upstream areas of Khaste lake aiming at reducing the rate of sedimentation in Khaste lake, while community will be provided with alternative market-based livelihood opportunities within 3-5 years’ period. As a noble initiative, HB program together with UKAID supported Ministry of Forest and Environment, Nepal to map ecosystem and forest types in Nepal. Project shall complement HB program ongoing efforts to map critical habitat within identified ecosystems in its working landscapes. Full technical team has already been onboard for the implementation of mapping exercise. As this is a multiyear project, WWF Nepal will continue support beyond Hariyo Ban II.

Grassland Research and Management: Hariyo Ban II commissioned multiyear experimental plot-based action research focusing on profiling the grasslands and enhancing their quality. This highlights major implications that grassland management (mowing) should be done frequently (~at least four times; repeated cutting) due to the high nutritional requirements of the deer that are giving birth, and for lactating females. From 2018 to date, 16 ha of grassland received four times cutting per year while another 16-ha grassland received two time cutting per year regularly in the experimental plots established in the park. Detailed findings will be helpful in grassland management planning for the protected area managers. The preliminary findings of the study include:

• Deer species (esp. spotted deer, hog deer and swamp deer) in the Karnali floodplain showed anti-predation behavior preferring larger open areas to graze.

• Frequently mown plots were preferred by deer i.e. four-time mown plots were utilized more than two-time mown plots.

• Frequent mowing especially after monsoon (August-September) and during hot dry period (March-April) is required to meet the nutritional requirement of deer during the dry period (November to May).

• If the grassland management interventions are targeted to provide quality foraging ground for the herbivores (primary prey of the tigers), then fire has a negative effect on the feedback loop of grazing and grassland quality.

Picture 22: Collage highlighting grassland management research and preliminary results

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Greening Trans-Himalayan region: Greening Trans-Himalayan cold desert is a pilot program to maintain landscape functionality, creating climate refugia and sustainable use of resources in the long run. Building on the local indigenous knowledge, the Program focused on age old practice of nurturing the native tree species and improvising in the existing context. Building on past learning from Year 1 and 2 in upper Mustang area, block stump plantation of willow and Himalayan poplar were carried out in three sites measuring 14.2 ha. Average survival rate has been estimated at 70%. This year, irrigation system at Ghami has been improved to provide regular water supply even in the drier period. Based on the learnings from these sites, 3 - 4 ft stumps are suitable for plantations as most of stumps of this size survived in comparison to smaller stumps.

Managing wetlands: Following two GoN approved policy documents, the National Ramsar Strategy and Action Plan (2018-2024) and the Integrated Lake Basin Management Plan of LCPV (2018-2023), Hariyo Ban II invested in management of wetlands of international importance including Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley in Kaski and Beeshazari Lake in Chitwan. A learning and sharing event was organized to share the lessons learned, issues and challenges, and preparing the way forward for each lake in LCPV. Similarly, a total of 22 waterholes (63 ha) construction/restoration/maintenance have been completed in Lamjung, Nawalparasi and Kaski in this period. Animals like rhinoceros have already started using some of the newly constructed waterholes in drier area of Nawalpur in eastern TAL.

Strengthening Phewa PES

The Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) in Phewa as the sustainable financing mechanism was established facilitating the upstream downstream linkages. PES basket fund has been established in Phewa lake watershed that collects fund annually from service recipients like tourism entrepreneurs as well as different conservation partners. The PES basket fund is managed by Phewa Watershed Ecosystem Management Board (PWEMB) which utilizes its resources to implement sediment retention activity in the upstream. Matching funds has been allocated by the Program to strengthen the basket fund.

With the support of PES basket fund, the communities in upstream (US)catchment of Phewa lake (Ward No 23 of Pokhara metropolitan) have undertaken renovation of two ponds, treatment of landslides, and gully control by setting up of low cost check dams to control torrent and to trap sediments. These structures protect over 2 ha of agricultural land as well as irrigation systems downstream (DS). A total of two ropanies (~0.1 ha) of sediment-filled old

Picture 25: A rhino sighted in waterhole in Nawalparasi, after maintenance work

was done

Picture 28: Check dams built in Adheri Ambot CFUG (upstream of Phewa) for landslide stabilization and sediment retention, Kaski

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paddy field in Shantikhola has been reclaimed by locals. Also, vulnerability to landslide hazard has been reduced in surrounding community directly benefitting 40 households. During this reporting period, two activities i.e. learning sharing meeting of US-DS linkages of LCPV and PWEMB meeting were also carried out as a part of Phewa PES strengthening program.

Result 1.3: Market-based Livelihoods

Building on learnings from the first phase, the Hariyo Ban II continued supporting forest-dependent poor households through green enterprises of different scale (small, medium, and large) in both TAL and CHAL. The Program also tracked income from different small and medium scale enterprises, which shows that 3,629 HHs (~3,629 individuals) have made income of NRs. 51,765,095 between July and December 2020. In the last four years, the enterprises supported by the Hariyo Ban Program II made income of NRs. 149,673,494.

Small-Scale Enterprise

The Program continued capacity building of entrepreneurs. During this reporting period, support was provided to install two permanent plastic tunnels to improve the production of off-season vegetable seedlings. With these two, there are total of nine permanent tunnels out of which five were supported by the Program. These facilities have helped nine farmers to grow and sell vegetable seedlings locally. Other farmers benefited as they get seedlings in 50% less than the market price. Farmers in Trishakti and Sundevi areas have been able to earn over NRs 700,000 annually through the sale of vegetables.

Chart 1: Rise in annual income of farmers group, Kanchanpur

The Program in the first phase promoted income generating activities (IGAs) through revolving funds (RFs) with an objective to improve financial access for operating and scaling up the IGAs as well as promoting

525,749

817,916 884,047

240,536

- 100,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 500,000 600,000 700,000 800,000 900,000

1,000,000

2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 July-Nov 2020

YE

AR

LY

INC

OM

E (I

N N

RS)

YEAR

Picture 31: Permanent plastic tunnel installed by farmers with the program support in Kanchanpur

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sustainable financing mechanisms through cooperatives. Funds totaling NRs. 14,110,209 were provided to support 77 CFUGs through 61 cooperatives in Kaski, Tanahun, Gorkha, Lamjung, Nawalparasi and Chitwan. Tracking of IGA fund mobilization conducted in this period among 29 CFUGs in Kaski, Lamjung and Tanahu shows that additional 392 families accessed the fund to initiate income generating activities. Of these, 260 belonged to poor families. Beneficiaries earned income of NRs 1,107,000 through the mobilization of revolving funds.

To strengthen the small-scale fish farms, the program provided 150,000 fingerlings and 304 kg feeds to the farmers in Banke.

Medium-Scale Enterprise

The Program continued to focus on scaling up medium-scale climate-smart enterprises in climate vulnerable and natural resource potential areas with block plantation of high value crops (HVCs) and Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). Block plantation of five HVCs and NTFPs (coffee, tea, cardamom, cinnamon and chiuri) have been continued in this period. Recently completed organic certification of coffee and cardamom will help farmers to export these products in the international markets fetching higher prices. The private sector is actively involved in HVCs (cardamom, coffee, and bel juice) from plantation, processing, and marketing.

Strengthening of coffee enterprise in three locations (Adhikari Danda in Annapurna RM, Phusre in Pokhara Municipality and Rohigaun and Ghyamrang of Madi Rural Municipality -RM) through nursery establishment, plantation, irrigation pipes and tools support has been continued. Coffee enterprise has been an additional and adaptive means of livelihood for the poor families. Coffee plantations in the catchment areas also help to reduce soil erosion and sedimentation in wetland ecosystems, reduce forest dependency and enhance social wellbeing of the beneficiaries.

In Year-5, 20 coffee farmers were supported with plastic pond and one coffee farmer with water storage tank of 1,000 liters irrigation during the dry season. Similarly, for the easy picking of coffee cherry, coffee bags and tools like secateurs, folding saw and modern hoe were provided to 170 farmers. The program also supported to form network of coffee farmers in respective three CFUGs in Phusre area. The follow up meetings with coffee farmer networks and local government and lead private entrepreneurs will be held in remaining period to craft the sustainability strategy for taking forward coffee enterprise in Phusre.

Picture 34: Block plantation (coffee) site in Adhikaridanda, Kaski

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With the objective of reducing dependency on forests, honey enterprise has been promoted in MCA’s Sirdibas area focusing on marginalized communities. This year, two bee keeping trainings were conducted among 30 new local farmers (M: 15 & F: 15). After the training, each participant received two improved beehives and safety materials (net-caps, gloves etc.). Since the establishment of bee enterprises, local farmers (38 households) have been able to generate income of average NRs. 530,917 per year.

The Program also supported Bel juice processing enterprise in Tanahun to revise operational guidelines, amend agreement between committee and operator, and establish benefit sharing mechanism. To ensure the quality of the product, three cooling devices were provided. In addition, 18 sets of harvesting tools (secateurs and saw) were also provided to 6 CFUGs to ease the collection of bel fruits. More importantly, Bel Management Plan has been annexed in the CFOP of respective CFUGs. This will ensure respective CFUG’s commitment in conservation and management of Bel trees that provide raw materials for this enterprise. For marketing, the linkage with supermarkets like Bhatbhateni and Saleways in Pokhara and Kathmandu has been made. In addition, Raithaane Agri Products Nepal that promotes local products has been selling the bel juice produced by the enterprise. Follow up meetings with entrepreneur and management committee will be conducted to review the progresses and issues to be taken forward for its sustainability.

To strengthen the clay jewelry enterprise run by a group of Dalit women, the Program supported to establish Srijanshil Utpadak Cooperative that manages the revolving fund (NRs 1,025,000) provided by the Program. However, marketing of clay jewels has adversely been impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. Clay jewels (Kanthamala and Naugedi) produced during the pandemic have been stocked at their households due to restriction on mobility. The business plan is in place but found poorly implemented due to inadequate knowledge and skills of the beneficiaries. To address this, a one-day entrepreneurship development training was organized for all 26 women entrepreneurs.

With an aim to reduce the pressure on Barandabhar corridor forest, poor and forest dependent women in Padampur area, Chitwan have been supported to engage them in wool weaving business. In second phase, the Program supported to diversify products by linking wool spinning to the carpet weaving industry. Due to covid-19 pandemic to skip mass gathering, door to door training was conducted in this period. Altogether, 33 women including newly trained women are involved in weaving woolen carpets. In the last quarter, the group have been able to earn NRs 888,000 from selling carpets. COVID 19 had a significant impact on the wool enterprise due to limited mobility and access to raw material for the enterprise.

Focusing on poor and vulnerable groups, technical skills and material support were provided to run Madal enterprise in Kailali during this period. Madal is a double-headed medium sized wooden drum traditionally

Picture 40: Trainee receiving technical guidance during door to door carpet weaving

Picture 37: Women entrepreneurs of clay jewelry wearing a group dress during meeting

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used in Nepalese music in Nepal. Mukta Kamaiya CFUG provide wood for the Madal making. Altogether, 10 people are engaged and successfully running the Madal enterprise with commendable income of NRs 2000-3000 per Madal. To further strengthen the enterprise, the program supported raw materials required for madal production. In a year, 24 madals are being produced by the enterprise.

Large-Scale Enterprise

Homestays are among Hariyo Ban supported large scale enterprises and promotion of homestays was initiated from the beginning of the first phase. To date, the Program has supported to operate 10 homestays, all managed by indigenous/Janajati women groups in TAL and CHAL. During this report period, the Program organized training to 39 homestay owners of Gurung Tami Hyula homestay in Lamjung focusing on safety measures related to COVID-19. In addition, construction of small resting place (chairs with shade) and trail improvement has been completed. Besides, installation of information board and material were provided 2015 earthquake devastated Barpak in Gorkha. In Kanchanpur, the Program extended support to purchase furnishing materials in the community building constructed by municipality, as part of strengthening the Bijaysal homestay.

National Level virtual workshop focusing on community based eco-tourism was held with an objective to share ecotourism opportunities, challenges, and planning of CFUGs. Participants from government institutions, Civil Society Organizations, NGOs/International Government Organizations (INGOs), CFUGs, FECOFUN Networks and concerned networks attended the workshop. The workshop concluded with the note that, community forest-based ecotourism can be the national agenda for the prosperity of local communities.

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2.2 Climate Change Adaptation

Result 2.1: Participatory Climate Change Vulnerability Reduction Integrated into Local, District, and National Planning Processes

Integration and mainstreaming of Climate Change Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction into governments' periodic/annual plan and leveraging resources for implementation of the adaptation plans are the main interventions of this result area. Findings and recommendations of assessments on threats to biodiversity conservation and vulnerabilities to climate change impacts and climate induced disaster risks which were carried out at different level during preparation of LAPAs and ISWMPs were referred for the integration purposes. During this reporting period, formal and informal engagement with local, provincial, and federal governments has created an enabling environment for integration and mainstreaming of not only CCA-DRR but also biodiversity conservation, GESI and governance.

Completion of fifth year activities including those carried over from fourth year, documentation of the Program’s outcomes and learning through various assessments and studies, and learning and sharing workshops on Hariyo Ban Program achievements and learning with the local government and other stakeholders were the key focus during this reporting period. The learning and sharing events with local governments (details explained in overarching section under Monitoring & Evaluation) also included other stakeholders such as the President Chure-Terai Madesh Conservation Development Board, Program Implementation Unit Chitwan; Soil and Watershed Management Office, Tanahun; Division Forest Offices and community groups. Similarly, in the initiation of SAMARTHYA project (a DANIDA supported program of CARE Nepal), CARE Nepal made an MoU with the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation (MoLMCPA) and Community Self Reliance Centre (CSRC) and organized a "training of trainers" on climate risk sensitive land use planning to municipal focal persons and local resource persons. These events supported in building good coordination, collaboration and created an enabling environment to leverage resources for implementation of CCA activities. During this SAPR period of the Hariyo Ban II, 20% (NRs. 1,470,675 out of total NRs. 7,318,074 invested) financial resources were leveraged from local governments for the implementation of the LAPAs, ISWMPs and other plans supported by the Program which can be considered as evidence of the joint collaboration, increased interest, and ownership of local governments. Many local governments have considered adaptation plans as a reference document for preparing their annual plan/program and budget. They have also shown commitment to continue the implementation of CCA-DRR interventions even after phasing out of Hariyo Ban Program.

CCA-DRR Capacity building

A 14-day Climate Risk Sensitive Land Use Planning Trainer's Training was jointly organized by the MoLMCPA, Community Self-Reliance Centre (NGO dedicated to land rights) and Hariyo Ban Program in December 2020. There were 23 participants (16 Male and 7 Female) representing different municipalities, Land Right Forum and Hariyo Ban Program. The training was facilitated by experts including Joint Secretary of MoLMCPA and Secretary of Ministries of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of Sudurpaschim Province. Participants gained knowledge and skills on socioeconomic data/information collection, existing land use practices and major hazard prone areas identification/delineation in the map during the field work. A draft land use plan of Thakurbaba municipality, ward number 9 was prepared

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during the field exercise and handed to the Mayor of Thakurbaba Municipality during the closing session. The Mayor emphasized in his remarks that the training is a milestone in municipal land use planning and with the knowledge and skills learned from the training, the trained local resource persons will be able to prepare the land use plan of the whole municipality.

Capacity building of the people including college/university students on climate change adaptation is one of the key activities under the CCA theme of Hariyo Ban Program. In this period, four virtual training (two events for Forestry students, Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan University; one event for Environmental Science students of SchEMS, Pokhara University; and one event for the Environmental Science students of Kathmandu University) were organized to train students on climate change and resilience building with an aim to share Hariyo Ban's learning, best practices and successful interventions of the Program which they could apply in their academic and professional career. A total of 403 bachelor’s and master’s level students (56% female) participated and benefitted from these training.

Institutionalization of PES

The Program facilitated a number of formal and informal discussions with the Marshyangdi Rural Municipality for operationalization of the 'Environmental Services Management Fund Mobilization Guideline 2076’. As a result, Rural Municipality approved the guideline and published in the Palika's “Rajpatra”. Marshyangdi Rural Municipality decided to earmark the budget for translating guidelines into practices. Likewise, Hariyo Ban helped Besisahar Municipality to prepare draft of 'Environmental Services Management Fund Mobilization Guideline 2077’. Such efforts supported the local governments to take ownership, institutionalize and scale up the PES initiative.

Mainstreaming workshops

During the reporting period, 16 events of CCA-DRR mainstreaming workshop were conducted in ISWMPs and LAPA implementation areas for awareness raising of local government officials and other stakeholders and promotion of CCA-DRR mainstreaming in the local governments plans and policies in coming years. Local government officials and representatives of relevant stakeholders participated in the workshops. A total of 308 participants (161 Female) attended the workshops. Focused discussions were made on the

Picture 43: Participants of the training (right) and participatory land-use map of Thakurbaba Municipality-9 prepared during the field exercise by the participants

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concept of climate change, DRR, causes and consequence of climate change, measures to cope with climate change impacts and DRR and ways of mainstreaming CCA - DRR in annual/periodic plans/policies of local governments.

Review Reflection with CFUGs

During Phase-I, the Program supported preparation of 331 Community Adaptation Plan for Actions (CAPAs) and implemented a total of 328 CAPAs. The Program in this period, organized a review/reflection meeting among CF representatives to review and reflect on the CAPA implementation status in CHAL. A total of 14 participants from 11 CAPA that implemented CFs, attended the virtual meeting. All participants representing different CFs informed that they tried their best to collaborate with different levels of governments for leveraging resources for plan implementation. Some local governments supported implementation of CAPAs especially on construction activities. About half of activities mentioned under CAPA were implemented in respective CFs with support from the Program including local government and different agencies. The discourse was very helpful in integrating climate adaptation activities into CFOPs.

Long Term Climate Change Monitoring Mechanism

Hariyo Ban Program has established 12 virtual monitoring plots in vulnerable and resilient areas in CHAL to monitor long-term changes along the various eco-regions identified in CHAL. The impacts of climate change on ecosystem composition and function are being monitored in these permanent plots. City Planning Commission (CPC)-Pokhara Metropolitan City realizes the importance of these virtual climate change monitoring plots and its sustainability. CPC coordinated with all the institutions working on forest and biodiversity sector in view to interact on future scoping of collaboration among stakeholders on long term monitoring plots. As a result, Institute of Forestry (IoF) Dean Office, Pokhara in coordination with CPC with support of Hariyo Ban Program organized an interaction meeting on climate change monitoring mechanisms. In the meeting, sharing of achievements made to date, importance of virtual plot monitoring at local level and its contribution to global climate change research works were discussed. Scoping for future collaboration among different institutions with action plans was done.

The interaction meeting supported to create collaboration opportunities on climate change sector for those institutions with adequate financial and human resources. All the participants agreed to collaborate with different level of governments for sustaining the existing mechanism of climate change monitoring plots. Local governments need to allocate some budget for the maintenance of automated weather station (AWS) systems and capacity building on AWS handling. Similarly, the provincial government needs to carry out different levels of floral and faunal periodic surveys on these plots through involving academia. Federal government needs to upgrade the data management system of AWS and policy formulation regarding the climate change impact on biodiversity and socio-economic conditions of nearby plots. The plan of action for the sustainability of these established monitoring plots was drafted, integrating the views and concerns from representatives of different institutions.

Result 2.2 Community readiness to adapt to and benefit from climate change increased

Activities under this result area were implemented in collaboration with local governments and stakeholders to increase community readiness to adapt and benefit from climate change. Hariyo Ban II has focused

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review/revision, update, preparation, and implementation of LAPA/LDCRP and ISWMPs in the selected critical/bottle neck areas. The Program made concentrated efforts in implementation of those plans in the last 4 years.

During this reporting period, the Program continued LAPAs and ISWMPs implementation building on the previous successful activities. GESI and governance, as the cross-cutting themes, have been adequately mainstreamed during mobilization of different groups and institutions (ISWMPs coordination/conservation committees, LAPA committees, CLAC etc.). In addition, to document program’s successes and best practices, different assessments/studies were carried out, namely: Assessments of climate vulnerability reduction; effectiveness study on climate smart, GESI friendly, time saving tools and technologies; study on multi-stakeholders engagement in integrated sub-watershed management; case study on resilience measurement and institutionalization of planning, monitoring and review reflection. Similarly, activities like capacity building, recharge pond construction, repair/maintenance of runoff-harvesting dam and embankment (constructed for river/stream bank protection) were also completed. These activities contributed to climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and maintain corridor/landscape functionality.

LAPA Implementation

During this reporting period, the Program supported to implement prioritized adaptation activities of 25 LAPAs2. Prioritized activities such as CCA/DRR and LAPA mainstreaming and implementation, capacity building of local governments' elected members and local stakeholders through trainings were conducted in Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality. The participants gained knowledge on concept of weather, climate, climate change, causes and impacts of climate change, climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies, climate induced disasters and disaster risk reduction/management. As a result, they committed to mainstream CCA in their upcoming planning and budgeting taking their LAPA as reference plan. Similarly, the Program supported institutionalization of planning, monitoring, review reflection and learning sharing within LAPA committees. Moreover, support to the poor farmers were made (water sprayer and plastic tunnel) for adaptive farming as a part of climate change adaptation. In total, 292 people benefited from these activities.

Follow up support to model site-Parki tole: Building on the previous achievements in Bedkot Muncipality-4, Parki Tole, Kanchanpur, the Program continued to support six lead farmers from poor families for off-seasonal vegetable farming. In the meantime, a meeting of Bedkot Municipality, Baitada CLAC and Hariyo Ban Program was organized for the operation and management of a multipurpose community house. For completion of the multipurpose community house, the Program supported materials for the doors, windows and some furniture whereas finishing and plastering will be done by Bedkot Municipality.

Small Scale Construction: To maintain the existing irrigation channel in Jhong of Barhagaun Muktikhsetra RM-2, Mustang, support was provided for improvement of a 30-meter irrigation channel. With this support 71 farmers are now able to irrigate their agricultural land and produce crops. Similarly, support was

2 Chekampar LAPA, Dhital LAPA, Geta LAPA, Ghandruk LAPA, Jhong LAPA, Kabilas LAPA, Kamdi LAPA, Kagbeni LAPA, Kobang LAPA, Kolma Barahachaur LAPA, Kristi Nachanechaur LAPA, Lamki chuha LAPA, Lho LAPA, Lumle LAPA, Lwangghalel LAPA, Muktinath LAPA, Myagde LDCRP, Pork LAPA, Reevan LAPA, Salyan LAPA, Sardikhola LAPA, Sirdibas LAPA, Sundarbazar LAPA and Tikapur LDCRP

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provided to communities of Kobang, Thasang RM 2 Mustang, to construct a 40-meter long check dam to control erosion in the area.

In addition, water supply strengthening work was completed in four sites (Kabilas, Chitwan; Kolma, Syangja; Kristi Nachnechaur, Kaski and Myagde, Tanahu). This has improved the water accessibility of 156 families living in the areas.

Climate adaptive livelihoods (agricultural tools and equipment): The Program supported 173 local farmers of Kailali, Kaski, Tanahu, Gorkha and Mustang districts to promote improved technology for agricultural crop production. In Chhekampar of Gorkha, local community members were provided with materials required for construction of greenhouse tunnels. Similarly, support was provided to construct community greenhouse at Jhong, Mustang. In addition, apple pruning tools (secateurs and pruning saw) were provided to 71 local apple farming households of Kagbeni, Mustang. Tunnel support was made to 48 farmers in Kaski and Tanahu.

Solid Waste Management: Solid waste management is one of the problems in the settlements of Manaslu Conservation Area (MCA). Unmanaged solid waste combined with climate change impacts may aggravate the spread of diseases in these areas. Considering this, 21 rubbish bin were installed in 6 major settlements of Sirdibas in Chhumnubri RM to help solid waste management during the reporting period. Concerned mother groups of each settlement are responsible for the dustbin management. As these settlements were enroute for trekking to Larke Pass in MCA, it will add value in the tourism too.

Nursery Management: With an aim to increase greenery and encourage local community for planting in the degraded land, support was provided for nursery at Sirdibas of MCA. Approximately 7000 seedlings are grown in the nursery and will be distributed to the community free of cost for both community and private planting in the coming season.

The local governments, who have endorsed these plans, will continue to integrate key activities from these plans into their annual plans and allocate required budget. For instance, activities prescribed by the nine LAPAs in Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) and MCA were implemented by the respective local governments on their own.

Climate Smart/ GESI Friendly Technology Support

Climate smart, GESI friendly technologies plays a supportive role in building adaptive capacity of the vulnerable farmers and reduce the time and effort required. In order to reduce the workload of women in Prok of Chhumnubri RM of Gorkha, Corn Sheller was provided to 350 families so they can do maize shelling more efficiently. Similarly, to support the women of Muktinath, Barhagaun Muktikhsetra RM-1

Picture 46: Greenhouse constructed by local farmers in Jhong, Mustang

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Mustang support was provided to procure 30 units of improved loom so that women can use them to weave cloth efficiently. The community groups will continue to expand such activities by mobilizing their funds as well as with support from local government after

ISWMP Implementation

During the reporting period, the Program supported implementation of ISWMPs of Phusre Khola, Khageri Khola, Khudi-Marshyangdi, Pantura Khola and Radha Khola sub-watersheds.

In Khageri Khola sub-watershed, Chitwan, training on integrated watershed management was organized for 12 participants (7 male; 5 Female) which include Khageri Khola Sub-watershed Conservation Committee members and Diyalo Pariwar board members. President Chure-Tarai Madesh Conservation Development Board, Program Implementation Unit Chitwan provided technical support for the training.

A recharge pond that can accumulate about 160 m3 volume of water, was constructed as a cascading pond in Khahare Khola micro-watershed. The pond conserved an area of 2 hectares. Out of total cost (NRs 322,000) invested for construction, 15.5% cash contribution was made by Ranikhola CFUG.

In addition, one recharge pond and two run-off harvesting dams which were damaged by heavy rain in the last monsoon were repaired. The Program supported 78% of the total cost and respective CFUGs invested 22% of the total cost for repair works. Design estimate support was provided by the local government. It shows that gradually the local government and other local stakeholders are taking ownership of the Hariyo Ban supported infrastructure activities and will continue to ensure their operation and maintenance beyond Hariyo Ban.

In Phusre Khola sub-watershed, Kaski, the sub-watershed coordination committee (SWCC) reviewed previously implemented activities and also prepared action plan for fiscal year 2020/21. The SWCC coordinated with local community and ward offices and submitted proposals to Soil and Watershed Management Office (SWMO), Tanahun requesting support for implementation of integrated watershed management activities in the sub-watershed. Following this, SWMO officials visited the sub-watershed to verify the field situation and decide on their support.

A meeting with Phusrekhola SWCC was conducted and discussed on techniques of organizing effective meetings, Public Hearing And Public Audit (PHPA), documentation, annual plan and report preparation, proposal development etc. This enabled SWCC members to organize meetings effectively, prepare minute, annual plan, and other required documents properly. Following the meeting, SWCC made action plan to reform committee, formed monitoring sub-committee and updated their documentation system.

In Khudi-Marshyangdi sub-watershed, Lamjung, water source protection at Riji Khola micro-watershed benefiting 261 families and irrigation canal maintenance in one site benefiting 60 families were completed. Similarly, small scale check-dam construction at Puwa Khola micro-watershed for sediment retention was

Picture 49: Farmers using corn sheller in Gorkha

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completed in this period. These activities helped to protect an area of 27.26 hectares and 80% resources were leveraged from local government, Soil and Watershed Management Office, NTNC and communities. The district and local level Marshyangdi ecosystem services management networks (MESMaN) conducted a number of meetings among the network members as well as with other stakeholder i.e. local government, NTNC while planning and implementing of above activities.

In Radha Khola sub-watershed, Kanchanpur, activities like embankment construction for river/stream bank protection, restoration of degraded land through fencing, climate adaptive vegetable farming, predator proof enclosure and integrated livestock management activities were implemented. As river-bank cutting and flooding are the major threat and disaster risks to settlements and the agriculture land in the down streams of Radha Khola, the Program supported construction of an embankment (57 meter long) along the Radha Khola which protected 33 hectare of land and benefitted 270 households.

About 600-meter-long fence was constructed for degraded land rehabilitation in the flood plain of Radha Khola. The fence is effective to protect the land from cattle grazing and rehabilitate it through plantation and regeneration. A total of 12.6 hectares is protected as a result of the fence construction.

Climate adaptive vegetable farming training was provided to capacitate local farmers which helped them to adopt adaptive livelihood. A total of 21 farmers (11 Female, 3 Janajati) representing different NRM Groups participated in the training. After the training, the Program provided the participants with plastic sheet, drip irrigation sets and metal frame for tunnel construction.

The Program provided materials to construct predator proof enclosure to 56 most vulnerable households, to protect local people's livestock from wild predators' attack. In addition, the Program supported 30 poor and vulnerable households from Bedkot Municipality ward number 1 and 2 with 30 cattle shed improvement, 30 cement dude and 5 grass cutting machines.

As forest fire is one of the major threats to biodiversity conservation identified in the Radha Khola and Puntura Khola sub-watersheds' ISWMP, the Program supported firefighting equipment to 2 CFUGs each in Bedkot Municipality and Parshuram Municipality. Provided equipment include fire smatter, fire rake, fire rake hoe, shovel, jump suit (fire protecting cloths), gloves, fire boots, head torch, socks, face mask, helmet, and water bottle. Now these CFUGs are better equipped for fire hazard reduction

In Puntura Khola sub-watershed, Dadeldhura, the Program supported implementation of embankment and check dam construction, irrigation channel construction and water source protection as per the ISWMP of Pantura Khola sub-watershed, during the reporting period.

A total 163-meter-long embankment was constructed along Guheshwori Khola and 68 meter long embankment along Gairigaun (streams), which flows nearby settlements and agricultural land. In order to protect downstream agricultural land and settlements from these streams and minimize such loss, check dams and embankment were constructed across and along the sides of these streams in the most critical locations. Five check dams constructed across the small streams or drainage channels mainly in upstream area are effective to reduce the run-off velocity and trap the sediment in upstream areas. This reduces stream bank cutting and flash flood risk in the downstream areas of Guheshwori and Gairigaun khola during rainy

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season; protect agricultural crop, land and settlement; promote regeneration/improve vegetative cover and benefit a total of 121 households.

An irrigation channel of 201 meters was constructed in Dhiki/Dhakani khola micro-watershed for irrigation. Since there was no irrigation facility, local people of the micro-watershed used to keep their agricultural land fallow during dry season. Considering the situation, the Program supported construction of 201-meter-long concrete channel at Dhiki/Dhakani Khola micro-watershed. After the irrigation channel construction 40 households are able to irrigate their agriculture land even in dry season. They started to grow vegetables in their agricultural land.

Bagthali Khola and Gairigaon khola. Intakes were constructed at the source of water. The water sources' micro-catchment, surrounding area and intake were protected by fencing around. Now, clean drinking water is available for local people. A total of 60 households are benefited with improved access to drinking water.

Similarly, an interaction meeting with the stakeholders of the Puntura Khola Sub-watershed was held to discuss on the sustainability of interventions under Integrated Sub-Watershed Management Plan and to continue implementation of climate change adaptation activities. As a result of the rigorous discussion, Puntura Khola Sub-watershed Coordination Committee was formulated. There are 8 members and 1 coordinator in the committee having representation from 8 CFs located in Parshuram Municipality. The committee's role and responsibilities were also discussed and finalized.

Hariyo Ban has linked the sub-watershed management committees, responsible for coordinating the implementation of ISWMPs, with SWMO and local governments to ensure that technical and financial support is provided for the implementation of these plans after Hariyo Ban phase out. Activities

Implementation of Master Plan of Thakurbaba Municipality

A meeting between Thakurbaba Municipality officials and the Program staff was organized to discuss on the Program's support in its fifth year. Based on the decision taken in the meeting, the Program supported Thakurbaba Municipality with materials like surgical masks, N-95 masks, thermal gun, hand-sanitizer, disposable gloves and hand-wash for prevention of and safety against COVID-19 pandemic. On December 2020, the Program conducted 'Review Reflection of Master Plan implementation of Thakurbaba Municipality, documentation and learning' event.

During the meeting, review of the plan and implementation status was done. The conclusion was made that the master plan has integrated sectoral and cross cutting development strategies and interventions/activities both at municipality and ward level and contributed to achieve balanced development outcomes benefiting people and environment sustainably. The fact-based planning and implementation of the interventions has facilitated to build the ownership among people and boosted accountability of local units towards its citizen.

Picture 52: Irrigation canal constructed in Dhakani passes through farm lands, Dadeldhura

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Participation of different marginalized groups like women, Dalits, janajatis have been ensured while implementing activities. Mid-term review reflection of the master plan showed that overall development initiatives of the municipality are integrated as per local people’s aspirations and the plan is effectively being implemented as a long-term strategic document.

Knowledge and Learning Documentation

During this reporting period, different assessments were conducted for the documentation of knowledge and learning on the following topics:

i. Assessment of vulnerability reduction by addressing climate change impacts on poor, vulnerable and marginalized people or groups in Local Adaptation Plan for Action implementation site

ii. Multi-stakeholders' Engagement in Implementation of Integrated Sub-watershed Management Plan: A case study from the Khageri Khola Sub-watershed, Chitwan, Nepal

iii. Payment for Ecosystem Services: Source of Sustainable Financing in Mid-Marshyangdi Watershed for Integrated Watershed Management in Lamjung, Nepal

iv. Assessment on the effectiveness of climate smart, time and energy saving, GESI friendly adaptation tools, technology and practices for agriculture and domestic use through demonstration and action research in Hariyo Ban Program

v. Resilience measurement in Hariyo Ban Program: A case study of Rapti Sonari RM-5, Banke

For these documentations, primary data were collected from the field applying household survey, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Draft reports are being reviewed for finalization. The findings, especially learning, from these assessments & studies will be shared at different forum at the national level.

Result 2.3: Climate-induced risks to people and ecosystems reduced through disaster risk reduction and management efforts

In order to reduce climate-induced hazards and risks to people and ecosystems, the Program has been supporting different disaster risk reduction (DRR) activities through various DRR and management efforts.

During the reporting period, the Program supported agro-met advisory services in three farmers groups (Parishramik, Paschim Tilakpur and Pipalchautari) of Duduwa Rural Municipality-5, Banke and capacity building of the local partner and farmers to address the climate related issues. Differential impact assessment and response plans are integrated into CFOPs of five model CFUGs where CAPA were prepared in phase I.

Differential impact assessment and response planning

DIARPs were prepared identifying the differential impacts of climate change and climate induced disasters on women, adolescent girls, senior citizens, disabled persons, poor and most vulnerable people. Response measures/activities to address the differential impacts were also identified. Further, the Program supported to implement previously prepared and currently prepared 10 DIARPs as integral parts of adaptation plans (5 CFOPs, 4 LAPAs and 1 ISWMPs). The Program supported to implement these DIARPs' priority activities to increase adaptive capacity of the differently impacted people (Table 3).

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Table 3: List of prepared DIA-RPs and implemented activities in this reporting period

S.N.

Integration of DIA-RP Location Target Groups Supported activities Total benefited

people/HHs 1 Kristinachnechaur

LAPA Kaski Poor, single

women and people with disability

Hill tank for rainwater collection

10 HHs

2 Kolma LAPA Syangja Poor and women’s group

Hill tank for rainwater collection

10 HHs

3 Kabilas LAPA Chitwan Adolescents girls and boys

Water supply strengthening support to Primary school

All students of the school

4 Vyas LAPA Tanahun Adolescent girls Availability of water and dustbin in girl's toilet in school

All girl students of the school

5 Khageri Khola ISWMP

Chitwan Poor, single women and people with disability

Two orientation events on livestock insurance mechanism along with Wildlife Damage Relief Guideline 2075 AD

22 people

6 Chipleti CFUG

Syangja Farmer Group Distribution of anti-hail net to protect their vegetables from hailstones during storms

11 Farmers

7 Banpale CFUG Kaski Women and Poor Group

Utensils support to Lapsi Enterprise to make Lapsi pickles

8 Jumdanda Jhapri CFUG

Tanahun Poor HHs Group Tunnel support for vegetable farming

7 HHs

9

Janshakti CFUG

Kailali Old aged Group Blanket support to vulnerable old people to protect from cold wave

20 Senior citizens

10 Kalika CFUG Lamjung Dalit group Animal shed improvement 9 HHs

Agro-met Advisory

The Program in coordination with SAMARTHYA (a DANIDA supported program of CARE Nepal), has initiated 'farmer responsive agro-met services' in Duduwa rural municipality of Banke district. A mechanism was established to disseminate bi-weekly bulletin and SMS from Krishi Info to farmers for agro-met services. A local Aviyanta (campaigner) was selected and mobilized to facilitate agro-advisory services in the selected farmer groups. During the reporting period, capacity of 3 farmer groups of Duduwa Rural Municipality-5, Banke was further strengthened supporting them to complete one cycle of different crops. Similar practices also scaled out in 2 additional farmer groups of Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality.

In addition, one-day refresher training on off-seasonal vegetable farming and integrated pest management (IPM) technology to five farmers groups were organized separately benefiting 97 farmers including 62 females. A total of 60 farmers met in weekly bulletin discussion and the training. The Program has collaborated with LI-BIRD for technical support (in coordination with National Agriculture and Research Council/Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM)/Agriculture Knowledge Center), National Farmers Group Federation (NFGF) (Duduwa RM and Rapti Sonari RM and National Environment and

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Equity Development Society (NEEDS) Nepal, to support agro-met services. The affiliation with NFGF at district and national level will help to establish micro and macro linkages and coordination with relevant stakeholders.

Similarly, one learning sharing workshop event on agro-advisory services was completed in Banke virtually. The workshop was organized and attended by staff of CARE Nepal Hariyo Ban Program, SAMARTHYA Program, NFGF and LI-BIRD.

The major learning outcomes were:

The agro advisory service program supported farmers to know the current weather status, agronomic practices, possibility of new pests and disease occurrence, market information, etc. so that they could apply accordingly.

The knowledge/expertise sharing between consortium also provide the opportunity for cross learning

Timely information dissemination can help for healthy crop cultivation and animal husbandry

The issues/challenges encountered were:

The limited technical human resource of local government. No access of community with Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) Limited capacity of local people to use smart phone and different mobile applications

related to agriculture.

Way Forward:

Establishing the two-way communication and access between NARC and farmers groups so that the agro-met advisory service can be continued even after the Hariyo Ban Program is finished. The Krishi Gyan Kendra (Agriculture knowledge center) in collaboration with local government will provide the agro-met advisory and farmers group network will continue to disseminate information.

2.3 Gender Equality and Social Inclusion

GESI, one of the key cross-cutting themes of Hariyo Ban II is continuing its effort to promote gender equality and social inclusion and minimize the GESI barriers in natural resource management sector. Building on the GESI results from Phase I, a GESI Analysis and Action Plan was prepared as a guiding document to address the key GESI gaps throughout the Program with clear mandates to all consortium partners for the major actions to implement each year. The GESI mainstreaming Guidelines was another crucial document that made women's 50% participation mandatory in all activities of Hariyo Ban and listed a number of GESI mainstreaming entry points in each result area of all main and cross-cutting components.

In Year-5, the activities were more concentrated on producing knowledge products, undertaking studies, and conducting the documentation works. Under the GESI theme, the documentation works titled Outcome Assessment of CLAC/Post CLAC Impact'; 'Review Reflection of GESI Action Plan'; 'Institutionalization

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of GESI Approaches'; 'Empowerment Matters' are ongoing or almost completed. Details of the study are described in the result section below. Additionally, a Terms of reference has just been developed for the “Value Addition study of GESI and Governance in Hariyo Ban Program” as a learning document. The study is envisioned to capture the value added by GESI and Governance components on achieving results of the Biodiversity and Climate Change Adaptation components, and also at the institutional level of all consortium partners.

During this reporting period, the Program made efforts in integrating GESI in major events, documentation, communication materials, etc. For instance, all 19 learning/sharing and hand over events organized at the landscape level have incorporated a section on GESI, where GESI-related major achievement, challenges and learnings were shared. The CLAC approach was well appreciated by the stakeholders for being instrumental in women’s empowerment and social transformation. Similarly, besides producing GESI specific knowledge products, GESI aspects were ensured by reviewing and providing inputs in all documents including legacy documents, learning briefs, success stories, process documents, research papers produced by Hariyo Ban II under the Biodiversity Conservation (BDC), CCA, livelihood and governance themes. Such documents would be an important reference while developing GESI focused learning documents such as 'Value Addition of GESI and Governance on the Hariyo Ban Program '. Because of the Pandemic, the Program has encouraged organizing and holding virtual events and meetings rather than in-person. Two meetings were organized virtually during this reporting period, by Hariyo Ban GESI focal points group. Such meetings were found to be supportive in building common understanding and building synergy among the focal points and also helpful in enhancing GESI knowledge, techniques and approaches.

GESI Result 1: Improved internal GESI policies, standards and governance practiced by user groups

Internal GESI policies of NRM groups

In order to increase participation of women and excluded groups, and access NRM and to support in creating a conducive environment for it, the Program is supporting them to develop their action plan and guideline and to sensitize the target group on it. The program has supported a total of 67 NRM groups to prepare the GESI internal policies of their respective CFUGs. During this reporting period, 16 NRM groups which were yet to roll out their policy, have managed to roll it out. During the endorsement event of GESI internal policy, executive committees, and users discussed rigorously on each point of the policy and decided to strictly follow the policy together with commitment to allocate an annual budget for its effective implementation.

Under Small Grant Program, Internal GESI Policy of 17 CFUGs from Annapurna Rural Municipality of Kaski district were formulated A ToT manual on GESI with the aim to build the capacity of GESI focal points of CFUGs and stakeholder on the importance of developing and implementation internal GESI policy of NRM groups was also developed. These GESI policies have provisions of addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) which is one of the major barriers in equitable sharing of benefits from natural resources and effective leadership of women in the NRM sector.

Review and Reflection of GESI Analysis and Action Plan

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GESI Action Plan, an important document for promoting GESI in Hariyo Ban is being critically reviewed on an annual basis. This year as a final review, the Program has planned to measure its achievements by conducting a formal study through a third party. The study will pay particular attention to evolution on context from the first GESI Analysis to the last year of project; changes in key issues and institutional culture; and progress on the action plan. It is also envisioned to analyze the best practices, value addition, and key challenges and gaps in implementing the action plan.

Review Reflection and Networking

Hariyo Ban Program has made several efforts in mainstreaming, incorporating and institutionalizing GESI at community level and at organization level through all consortium partners. During this period, NTNC organized three events to review the efforts of GESI mainstreaming in Chitwan, Bardia and Mustang.

Altogether 93 individuals (F: 52 & M: 41) participated in the events. The main agenda items included discussing overall experiences and learning from the gender specific interventions and gender mainstreaming implementation promoted by Hariyo Ban, in conservation and shared among CAMCs and BZUCs members, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), local community members and related stakeholders. All the stakeholders have shown their commitment in strengthening their networking in the future to make joint efforts to prioritize gender equality and social inclusion within their user's group and institutions.

Gender Responsive Budgeting Workshop

In order to enhance a skill for application of Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) in the conservation field and to create understanding on gender audit and the local level planning process, a capacity building session on GRB was organized by NTNC for its staff members. There were altogether 55 participants including female (25) and male (30) staff. The workshop focused on the real project-based exercise on GRB, such as the case study of plantation/enrichment in Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACA), Lomanthang in which the national GRB framework was used and GRB analysis was done. This has enabled participants to internalize the importance of promoting gender-responsive programs and gained GRB skills that can be integrated in new programs and project design.

GESI Result 2: More women, youth and marginalized people perform effective leadership, decision making and advocacy

Building on results of successful practices like women’s leadership development, men and decision makers’ engagement, dealing with GBV issues for the social transformation, institutional accountability in tackling GESI issues etc. of phase I, the Program continued emphasizing on these practices in phase II as well. In Year-5, the Program mostly put efforts on assessing the impact of the GESI approaches and practices used for developing leadership skills of women and marginalized communities.

CLAC/Post CLAC learning and impact assessment

Picture 55: Screenshot taken during the virtual GESI Responsive Budgeting Workshop

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A study on the effectiveness of CLAC/Post CLAC in both CHAL and TAL was carried out in 12 CLACs including 2 men's CLACs, 3 Adolescent Girls CLACs and 13 Women's CLACs during this reporting period.

The study exhibits that CLAC has played significant role in addressing social issues and has played a crucial role in empowering women/ marginalized community of NRM groups. According to the study, all 12 CLACs have identified GBV related issues in their respective communities and have taken actions to address it. For instance, Chhaupadi Eradication Campaign led by Chetana CLAC, Kailali was successful in changing harmful social practice of Chhaupadi. The study also revealed that CLACs have moderately contributed in transforming unequal power relation between men and women; and to develop social relationship. The women and the marginalized groups benefited most from the Climate Change Adaptation initiatives as they were heavily engaged and consulted from the planning to implementation phase through CLACs. Similarly, CLAC noted to be instrumental in promoting access of women and marginalized community to bio-diversity conservation and to its equitable benefit sharing mechanism.

Leadership training

On the occasion of 16 Days of GBV campaign, FECOFUN organized a virtual 'women leadership training'. Altogether 49 women including FECOFUN National executive committee members, all women chairpersons from district FECOFUN and two representatives from each province level FECOFUN participated in the training. The participants were capacitated on GESI concepts and its provisions in legal framework, leadership skills, economic empowerment of women through enterprises etc. One of the key learning of the training was the realization that capacity building for women leaders are very important for better performance in leadership skills. However, women leaders could not perform better unless and until they are economically independent. Economic independence is possible through enterprises.

National level GBV campaign

In order to raise awareness on GBV prevalent in NRM sector and as part of its policy advocacy, FECOFUN organized a virtual event in presence of the chief guest Honorable Minister of Women Children and Senior Citizens, Mr. Lilanath Shrestha during the period of 16 Days of activism. The event was attended by 112 participants from civil society organizations, government institutions, NGOs/ INGOs, FECOFUN Networks. Joint secretary Dr. Radha Wagley, from the Ministry of Forest and Environment, renowned women's right activist Dr. Renu Raj Bhandari and advocate Kumari Kharel presented the papers. Dr Wagley's presentation was focused on GBV in Natural Resource Management both at the community level and the administrative level. Dr. Bhandari presented the overall historical background and existing situation of women regarding gender-based violence in Nepal and advocate Ms. Kharel presented the types of violence, policy provisions and implications related to violence in Nepal. Minister Shrestha made a commitment to support in creating conducive environment to reduce GBV in this sector.

District level GBV campaign

Picture 58: GESI Coordinator undertaking focus group discussion in Chipleti CFUG, Syangja

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FECOFUN celebrated the 16 Days GBV campaign in all 77 districts with different programs. Out of them 10 Hariyo Ban working districts (Banke, Bardiya, Chitwan, Gorkha, Kanchanpur, Kaski, Lamjung, Nawalparasi, Syangja and Tanahu) celebrated the day with the interaction among the CFUGs members from different CFUGs. The women leaders from CFUGs were also felicitated for their contribution in dealing with GBV issues at the local level. The event ended with forming an 'Anti GBV committee' in 5 CFUGs of Chitwan and Kanchanpur districts. The representatives of the CFUGs which already had formed 'Anti GBV committees' expressed that forming of anti-GBV committee in community is very helpful to reduce the incidents of GBV that occur in NRM sector. It has created moral pressure to the perpetrator of the GBV, not to let it happen, otherwise their cases would be taken to the committee.

Adolescent Girl's engagement in GBV campaign

With the initiation of Adolescent girls' CLAC “Parkitole Baitada”, a network of 10 Adolescent girls group was formed to discuss on GBV issues of adolescent girls. While marking 16 Days of activism, the adolescent girls' network collaborated with Baitada CLAC, Needs Nepal and Bedkot Municipality with the support of Hariyo Ban Program to launch a series of activities to build the capacity of 120 adolescent girls and engage them in GBV awareness campaign. Activities such as leadership/advocacy training, psychosocial counselling, other public events have provided them an opportunity to interact with a number of stakeholders and it also has helped them to strengthen their bonding with them. The events got coverage on local media and helped them to get recognition. With this experience, the adolescent girls' network is looking forward to scaling out their network in other municipalities as well.

Promoting GESI awareness through radio jingle

Building on previous awareness efforts and as a continuation on promotion of GESI awareness on different agendas through radio program, both NTNC and FECOFUN have developed Public Service Announcement (PSA) to broadcast through electronic media. The PSA developed by NTNC has been broadcasted from the national news Kayakairan and Nepal Darpan alternately covering more than 130 local radios across the country. This PSA has disseminated wider message in ensuring meaningful representation of women in conservation and reduce social injustice in society. The PSA developed by FECOFUN was broadcasted through Community Information Network and about 300 radio station at the community level throughout the 16 days of activism period. It has highlighted a contribution of rural women in forest management and creating violence free NRM sector.

Change Agent Mobilization

Change agents created through Hariyo Ban Program are actively being engaged in social transformation joint actions to break gender stereotypes and address leadership barriers in NRM and other sectors. This

Picture 61: A group photo taken during the capacity building training, in Bedkot, Kanchanpur

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year, two change agents (Meena Chaudhary- indigenous female from Kanchanpur and Ramesh Poudyal - media worker from Chitwan) were supported and mobilized at Chitwan and Kanchanpur. Ms. Meena Chaudhary was involved in women's economic empowerment including awareness program in Sobhatal buffer zone area and in cooperatives. Similarly, Mr. Ramesh Poudyal was involved in delivering series of radio programs focusing on the importance of gender integration and noting critical roles of women as primary conservation managers and resource users. Mobilization of these change agents have helped in addressing the leadership barriers of women and marginalized groups in conservation.

GESI Result 3: More Equitable Access to and Benefit from Natural Resources for Women and Marginalized Groups

In Hariyo Ban Phase II, women and PVSE group were supported through a number of initiatives such as livelihood support, revolving fund support, climate-smart and GESI friendly technology, capacity building and issue-based partnership etc. to enhance their equitable access to and benefit from natural resources. Until this reporting period, the Program in its second phase has reached out to 1,102 women 369 Dalits, 1,482 Janajatis, 8 Muslims from the livelihood support program alone. The support has ultimately contributed in reducing threat to the bio-diversity conservation and encouraging their participation in management of natural resources. A number of success stories of women and marginalized communities' entrepreneurs have been documented in Hariyo Ban Program.

This year, most of the activities under this result area were focused on measuring the outcome of the interventions and documenting its learning.

Profiling of women entrepreneurs

Through women led livelihood improvement programs of Hariyo Ban, a total of 641 women received intensive support for entrepreneurship development. Enterprise support to women included training and material support for Beauty Parlor, Carpenter, Community Livestock Assistance, Cook, Driving, Electrician, Mason, Nature Guide, Off Season Vegetable Producer, Plumber, Tailor, Veterinary Technician, coffee, tea, cardamom, wool weaving, vegetable farming, beehive enterprise, eco-tourism and poultry. A study is being undertaken with the aim to develop profiles of these 641women entrepreneurs and to map the outcome of the interventions. The study is expected to explore the impact of livelihood in bio-diversity conservation and in women's economic empowerment including their access to assets ownership, employment opportunity, building their agency and contribution on change in power relations.

GESI friendly and climate smart tools and technology

In Hariyo Ban II, GESI friendly and climate smart tools and technology were introduced with the aim to reduce drudgery of women and support in building climate resilience of women, poor, vulnerable groups and socially excluded communities. Data shows a total of 3,005 households have been supported with varieties of tools. Now a study is being undertaken with the goal to assess the effectiveness of Climate

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Smart, time and energy saving, GESI friendly technologies and practices supported by Hariyo Ban Program for agriculture and domestic use. A draft of the report is being prepared.

Empowerment Matters: Success Stories from Hariyo Ban Program

Hariyo Ban produced a collection of stories titled Empowerment Matters: Success Stories from Hariyo Ban Program. The success stories are resulting from the interventions that were targeted to women, poor, vulnerable and socially excluded groups under different thematic areas including GESI. The document is expected to be a learning and reference document for the concerned stakeholders.

2.3 Governance

The Governance theme in Hariyo Ban Program II has been focusing on two broad areas: 1) institutional capacity building of NRM groups and institutional governance; and 2) creating enabling environment and policies for user groups and other stakeholders to better conserve biodiversity and adapt to climate change. In this reporting period, the Program focused on outcome mapping of ICB, review reflection of reflective ICB, capacity building of government staffs on ICB, refinement of ICA tool/ICB packages, legacy documentation, and engagement in policy discourse.

Result 1. Improved institutional capacity of user groups

Institutional Capacity Building (ICB) outcome mapping of CFUGs: During this reporting period, outcome mapping of ICB process was carried out with the objectives of documenting achievements of ICB process, explore problems, challenges and way forward and assess the value addition of governance mainstreaming in core components and other cross-cutting themes. CFUGs were sampled using stratified random sampling method and 5% CFUGs (17 CFUGs) from TAL and CHAL were sampled out of 345 CFUGs. During the study, 17 outcome journal and joint discussions, six focus group discussions and 15 key informant interviews were conducted.

The study found out that the ICB process has played a significant role in biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and livelihood enhancement of poor and vulnerable users. The process has supported in equitable resource distribution through the application of PWBR and target the livelihood activities to the poor and vulnerable users. Many of the actions and processes followed during the ICB process has laid the good foundation for such contributions. It has equally contributed in GESI, especially in increasing the number of women and Dalits representation in executive committee who use to raise their voices and adequately influence decision making processes. In addition, it has supported in formation of different sub-committees for joint monitoring and accomplishing specific tasks and has also supported in alternative leadership development and work division among different users. The financial transactions are carried out through bank and maintaining vouchers, preparing and endorsing financial report from General Assembly and/or PHPA. Provisions in community forest development guideline has been significantly increased followed by most of the CFUGs. It has also supported in coordination and collaboration linkages at local, district and provincial level. Some of the CFUGs have generated fund from different sources including provincial level line ministries.

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The study found that there is some gap in coordination with Division Forest Office (DFO) and local governments during CFUGs institutional capacity building. It is found that DFO's have not fully owned and not included the reflective institutional capacity building activity in their annual plan due to financial constraints as well as lack of adequate human resources. DFO's emphasized for its legalization by including in through related policy, act, guideline etc.

Some of the major recommendation received from the study are to focus on legalization of the process (include in forest policy/act/guidelines), coordination and involvement of DFO structures throughout institutional capacity building process, develop adequate local human resources and sought financial resources for the implementation of the action plans prepared by CFUGs for further improvement during the process. The Program will act on these recommendations in the remaining period in collaboration with FECOFUN chapters at federal, provincial, district and local levels who will be playing a critical role in institutionalizing the ICB package through their networks.

Review Reflection and Learning Sharing Workshop of ICB: During this reporting period, four events of review reflection and learning sharing workshop were conducted in Tanahun, Mustang and Gorkha districts. The objective of the workshop was to share the progress, issues, challenges and learnings among the groups. A total of 59 representatives (18 females, 41 male) including LHFUG members participated from LHFUGs, CAMCs and local community members participated in these events.

The experience and learning of ICB in CAMCs were discussed and analyzed. The workshop concluded that reflective institutional capacity building process deliberately contributing on both technical and managerial capacity of CAMC's. Finally, they have shown their commitment to continue the ICB practices within CAMCs in coming days.

Capacity building: During the ICB review reflection workshop of LHFUGs, the majority of LHFUGs have had issues with proper documentation and record keeping. Considering this, the Program conducted orientation on record keeping in this period. The orientation event was facilitated by an Assistant Forest Officer where participants were oriented on basic record keeping systems of LHFUGs including profit and expenses records. At the same time, major provisions of LHF handover as well as necessary steps/process for operational plan renewable. A total of 25 LHFUG members (14 female, 11 male) participated in the events.

As a part of capacity building, two events of financial management training were conducted in Dadeldhura and Kanchanpur. A total of 24 NRM group users (8 female) took part in the training events and improved their capacity on account management and financial documentation.

Capacity building of government institutions on ICB: In this reporting period, two events (one each in CHAL and TAL) of capacity building workshops of government institutions on ICB were completed. The Program shared evolving processes of ICA tool development, institutional capacity assessment by applying

Picture 64: CAMC members attending review reflection meeting, Gorkha

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this tool, ICB package development and its delivery and follow up including learnings, achievements and major issues witnessed during ICB process. Government officials, DFO/Asst DFO's of Hariyo Ban Program working areas, FECOFUN representatives, matured group representatives, chairpersons of CFUGs, SMs and CARE staff participated in the events. These events also supported to figure out the ways on how to scale out the ICB process in rest of the CFUGs through joint initiatives of DFO, local government, FECOFUN and NRM groups. The DFO of Kanchanpur suggested to orient DFOs staff in application of this tool and ICB package delivery/follow up by organizing field level exercise. At the same time, he suggested to integrate the plan of ICA/ICB in the red book of respective DFOs through Provincial Governments which is easier to institutionalize.

Local Level FECOFUN and CFUGs institutional capacity building: FECOFUN has developed "Local FECOFUN and CFUGs institutional capacity building" guideline. The objective of the guideline is to scale out the reflective institutional capacity building approach throughout the country (753 Palikas) in the coming days. The Program already started its piloting in 11 Palika's of Banke, Bardiya, Chitwan, Dadeldhura, Dang, Gorkha, Jhapa, Kanchanpur, Kaski, Nawalparasi, Solukhumbu and Tanahun districts. By the end of the roll out events respective Palika's FECOFUN and CFUGs developed three-month action plan of capacity building including group to group learning sharing/facilitation understanding. Whereas, local FECOFUN is committed to make further coordination role to effective implementation of such action plan. A total of 15 events in presence of 431 participants from CFUGs and local FECOFUN participated in these events. As a result, the reflective ICB process is scaled out in additional 165 CFUGs.

Policy orientation: The Conservation Area Management Committee and the Forest Management Sub-committees are responsible for management and sustainable utilization of forest resources as mandated by Conservation Area Management Regulation 2053 BS and directives 2056 BS. Recently, federal government has amended environmental regulation and forest act. Similarly, the Gandaki Provincial government has updated natural resources use criteria. Thus, to update amended policy information among CAMCs, sub-committees and local government officials, 24 orientation program events were conducted in Mustang including one for local government officials. Altogether 411 individuals (Female 109) participated in these events. These orientations have helped CAMCs and local government to be clear on legal provisions regarding utilization of natural resources and sustainable natural resource management.

Refinement of ICA tool and ICB packages: The program developed and applied the ICA tool and ICB packages/manuals in phase II and completed its first cycle of application. With respect to the NRM related changed policies/acts/guidelines, it is very essential to revise the ICA tool accordingly incorporating experiences and learning while applying the tools and packages. Consequently, the Program has planned to refine both ICA tool and ICB packages in Year-5 in a participatory manner involving related ministry, departments, consortia and stakeholders. Till now, the ICA tool refinement process is completed. Whereas, refined ICB packages for CFUGs, BZCFUGs and CAMC's are already reviewed by Hariyo Ban Team and DFO's/Asst. DFO's. These documents will be finalized by January 2021.

Picture 67: Glimpse of Policy Orientation event organized in Mustang

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Legacy Documentation: Reflective Institutional Capacity Building Approach for Improved NRM Governance as one of the legacies of Hariyo Ban Program. The documentation of this legacy is under way and is expected to be finalized by January 2021.

Result 2. Improved capacity of user groups to leverage and mobilize resources

The Program has been focusing to build the capacity of NRM groups, ISWMP coordination committees, LAPA committees and Livelihoods groups for their internal fund mobilization as well as resource leverage. Similarly, the Program has been supporting LAPA committees on linkage building with local government for their meaningful participation in local level planning processes to integrate LAPA activities and resource leveraging to implement adaptation activities.

Result 3. Improved technical capacity of user groups to advance local solutions on biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation issues

Capacity building: The Program has supported capacity building of local institutions to promote local solutions for natural resources management. Till Year 4, 174 participants from 87 institutions adopted the leaf bag and yam farming in sack as local solution practices. Considering their experiences, both practices are found more useful for small holders and poor farmers, for being simple and low-cost practices and an opportunity for utilizing local knowledge and materials. The application of these practices ultimately contributes to increased production of vegetables and environment conservation through using this eco-friendly technique. The monitoring visits after the training has shown that the farmers are perfectly implementing the practices.

During this reporting period, the Program supported to conduct four technical training events relating to the use of leaf bags, to 77 farmers (61 female) from 20 local institutions in both TAL and CHAL. The objective of the training was to enhance knowledge and skills of the farmers/participants through which they can replicate skills and knowledge in their own area/institutions. The trained farmers are applying knowledge and skills as demonstrated in Duduwa RM, 5. They prepared 600 leaf bags and sowed different vegetable seeds like cucumber, pumpkin and bottle gourd. The respective farmers and institutions have willingly expressed their commitment to continue and replicate this practice to all households of the area in coming season.

Result 4. Improved policy and enabling environment for biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation

The Program continues its engagement and follow up with policy makers for new policy formulation, existing policies reformulation and effective implementation of existing policies. Within this reporting period, the Program was engaged in preparing policy briefs, orientation and advocacy plan development and advocacy plan implementation.

Policy briefs

Picture 70: Leaf bags prepared for growing vegetable seedlings

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During this reporting period, FECOFUN has prepared four policy briefs on the role of CFUGs for forest-based micro-enterprise development, wildlife-based eco-tourism promotion in community forests, contribution from community forestry for community-based adaptation and contribution from community forestry for the promotion of customary practices and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples. These policies are selected by FECOFUN Steering Committee to do further advocacy and policy briefs and are finalized through rigorous consultation process with management, local communities, consortia, and stakeholders. The policy briefs included the highlights of respective policies strengths, gaps, external threats and possible further opportunities including advocacy issues. Thus, these policy briefs are also being an integral part of the policy advocacy and also being useful resource materials to CFUGs and CSOs.

Policy advocacy plans

During this reporting period, FECOFUN has developed advocacy plans through policy briefs orientation and advocacy plan development trainings. The objective of these trainings were to share/aware participants about the respective policy briefs, it's identified issues and develop the advocacy plan with common understanding among FECOFUN as well as other participants. Due to COVID-19 context and protocol, virtual trainings were organized in participation of CFUGs, Local/district FECOFUN, CSOs, and other stakeholders. Altogether, 130 participants (43 female) attended the training. The major highlights of the policy advocacy plans are as follows:

Table 4: Major highlights of the policy advocacy works

Name of policy briefs

Policy strengths Policy gaps/issues Advocacy plan focused on

The role of CFUGs for forest-based micro-enterprise development

The Forest Act 2019 has made a clear legal provision to provide rights to CFUGs for the operation of forest-based enterprise based on the approved forest management plan.

Lack of legal clarity to register the micro-enterprise in the local government

• Address the jurisdictional overlapping in the policies

• Effective implementation of micro- enterprises related provisions of forest and enterprise laws.

Wildlife-based eco-tourism promotion in community forests

The Forest Act 2019 has made a clear legal provision to provide rights to CFUGs for operation of Wildlife-based eco-tourism based on the approved forest management plan.

There are some inconsistent provisions between Forest Act 2019 and National park and wildlife conservation (NPWC) Act 1973 about the Wildlife-based eco-tourism.

• The legal policy harmonization between Forest Act 2019 and NPWC Act 1973

• Develop a common understating by harmonizing the existing laws on wildlife farming in CF.

Contribution from community forestry for community-based adaptation.

The new Environmental Protection Act 2019, has given rights to local community for the formulation and implementation of CAPA with the support of government agencies.

Develop accountability of local government and government agencies to develop and implement the CAPA.

Effective implementation of new Environmental Protection Act 2019 provision - rights to local community for the formulation and implementation of CAPA with the support of local government and government agencies

Contribution from community

The constitution of Nepal and the Community Forestry

Inadequate internalization or

Strengthen the accounting system for the contribution of

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forestry for the promotion of customary practices and traditional knowledge of Indigenous Peoples.

Program Development Guideline (2015) has given the recognition to the traditional knowledge and customary institution.

recognition of this provision in the forest operational plans of CFUGs.

CF on promotion of traditional knowledge of Indigenous people.

Implementation of policy advocacy plans

Central, Provincial and District/Local FECOFUN chapters have been continuously organizing various interaction, discussions and dialogues with the policy makers and government agencies during the implementation of advocacy plans and associated activities. Such efforts have played an important role at national level to create pressure to the concerned agencies in order to ensure effective implementation of policies at different levels.

National level learning sharing workshop on MCF

With the main objective to share the idea, concept, learning, challenges, and opportunities of Model CF, a one-day learning sharing virtual workshop was conducted within this reporting period. A total of 84 (43 female) FECOFUN national working committee and central committee members participated in the workshop. The members were oriented about the concept, practices, and success of existing 12 districts MCF and they have committed for the replication to the other district.

Community forest day celebrations

FECOFUN, its institutional structures and CFUGs have been regularly celebrating Community Forest Day on 9 August each year by conducting several activities at all levels. The main objective of the day celebration is to acknowledge the community forest achievements and their contributions to conserve the forest and improve the livelihood of poor users. FECOFUN conducted central and district level program for CF day celebration. Virtual interaction meeting was conducted at the Center participated by MoFE, Government institutions, different NGOs, INGOs and other stakeholder's representatives. A total of 41 (female 2) representatives attended in the meeting.

Similarly, FECOFUN center requested all 77 districts to celebrate the Community Forest Day for a week from 3 to 9 August 2020. The district level interaction programs were organized in each district with participation from CFUGs, executives of district FECOFUN, local government representatives including Divisional Forest Office and local journalists. During the interaction program following topics were discussed.

Mitigation and adaptation of climate change consequences on biodiversity Increasing greenery through massive plantations Sustainable forest management Forest fire line establishment and forest fire awareness Documentations on good practices of community forests

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Mutual coordination among community forest users groups and other stakeholders to tackle existing problems of community forests.

Controlling illegal forest encroachments. Community forest contribution in control of COVID-19 and mitigating its impact.

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3. OVERARCHING THEMES AND ACTIVITIES

3.1 Small Grants Program

The Small Grants Program under Hariyo Ban II is being executed to ensure innovation, capacity building, research testing and to promote innovative science and technology, pilot new approaches/tools focusing on ecological and community resilience-building. It has four major components: i) Student research grant, ii) CSO and private sector grant, iii) Government agencies grant; and iv) Grant for Disaster Response and Management.

This year, an additional 35 students completed their academic research work and in total of 189 students completed their academic research work in support of Hariyo Ban Program during the last five years. Annex 7a provides details of students receiving such research grants.

Under Government agencies grant, a total of 30 grants (Annex 7b) were provided for biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, livelihood improvement, GESI and governance, research and study, policy support, field implementation and capacity development. Out of these 30 projects, six projects (annex 7b) were implemented in this reporting period. As such, two national priority project "Preparation of National Integrated River Basin Strategy and Action Plan” have been completed and "Revisiting Ecosystems and forest types of Nepal” project is being carried out by Forest Research and Training Center (FRTC). Similarly, the department of national parks and wildlife conservation has completed all preparatory activities to undertake assessment the population dynamics, persistence and carrying capacity of tiger in Banke-Bardia complex. The project is to be completed by the end of February 2021. In addition, the Soil and Watershed Management Office Parbat, has successfully renovated Thulipokhari as part of wetland management and DFO Syangja has completed the project "Biodiversity Conservation and CCA through public land management." In the remaining period, the program will continue to support similar national priority projects.

In the last five years, altogether 30 grants were provided under CSO and private sector (refer annex 7c). Most of the activities initiated in fourth and fifth year have been completed and results are being documented. During this period, Paribartanshil Mahila Samudayik Bikas Samaj has successfully prepared Municipal level "agrobiodiversity conservation and promotion of strategic plan" for Bhanu Municipality Tanahun; prepared a training manual and conducted training for 60 conservation farmers and established a local seed bank in Bhanu Municipality of Tanahun District. Furthermore, Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) has completed the project "Evidence-based Media Advocacy for Conservation and Sustainable Development" with video documentaries and research-based paper articles. In addition, Sancharika Samuha conducted National level virtual conference on "Women in Biodiversity Conservation" including other activities under the project "Media initiative to amplify the voices and concerns of Dalit, Ethnic and other marginalized groups in Conservation". Ujyalo Nepal has completed the activity "Ensuring market-based livelihood opportunities for wildlife victim single women" in Bardia district. About 10,000 seedlings of lemons were planted in private land, groups were formed, and a business plan was prepared to enhance livelihood of wildlife victims including single women.

Under Disaster Response and Management grant, 15 municipalities and rural municipalities in CHAL and TAL are supported to prepare/review Disaster Preparedness and Response Plans. Equipment support as part

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of capacity enhancement in disaster risk reduction and management is underway. All activities are planned to be complete by the end of January 2021.

During implementation, efforts were made to link activities wherever possible with the Program’s regular interventions for better results and synergetic impacts. The team, in remaining period, will continue to align small grant activities within the Results Framework and MEL plan of the Program and conduct periodic reviews and monitoring of the small grants activities. Furthermore, the program will conduct separate conferences on SGP supported students and CSO grants, finalize the compendium of students' thesis and continue to support the government grants.

3.2 Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

The Monitoring and Evaluation system of the Hariyo Ban Program II has been largely guided by the principles of results-based management as the program believes in improving overall program effectiveness through adaptive management. So far, the milestones achieved in the last four years are: development and operationalization of M&E system; preparation and implementation of MEL plan along with Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) Plan; development and operation of online database software; completion of baseline and midline assessments of indicators, Midterm Evaluation; landscape level learning events and handover events to local governments. Other essential functions i.e. outcome tracking; alignment of the annual work plan with indicator targets; capacity building events, review and reflection meetings; monitoring visits and Data Quality Assessment (DQA) were regularly undertaken.

Travel restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 has restricted the field mobility during this reporting period and has mostly impacted the implementation of M&E annual work plan. Hence M&E functions in this period has been limited to desk work. Mostly the M&E activities during the Year-5 were focused more on learning and outcome assessment, end-line study, and data quality assessments. However, the monitoring focal persons at respective consortium partners managed to conduct some field monitoring visits. The team has been hugely occupied for regular review and update of the performance indicator tracking table (PITT) which has helped to increase stewardship of consortium partners on indicator targets and put consolidated efforts to achieve targets. Performance of indicators in Year-5 is given in Annex 4.

However, due to ongoing COVID-19 crisis, many planned events such as review reflection meetings at various levels, monitoring visits and DQAs could not be conducted as stipulated and hence were cancelled or changed to virtual events. However, regular meetings of consortium partners and specific thematic teams provided updates on the achievements and ground situation, status of implementation of annual work plan, emerging issues, challenges and learning. These events served as ‘pause and reflect’ opportunity for the Program team. During this reporting period, a number of learning sharing events were organized at Palika level and M&E played crucial role in providing necessary information and supporting the team to execute these events. Landscape level learning sharing and closing event has been conducted in the first week of January. Major highlights of the M&E Unit are elaborated in the section hereunder.

Learning and Knowledge Management: learning and knowledge management has been kept in high priority by the program since phase I. To create a depository of knowledge generated by the program, the unit has initiated to document the knowledge and learning of champ plantation and coffee enterprise. A

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consultant firm has been recruited for undertaking this documentation work and draft report has been received.

Besides, internal documentation on different themes are underway in the leadership of thematic experts and consortium partners with significant progress during this period. The M&E Unit supported to review documents prepared by consortium partners and thematic leads and enrich document with necessary data and information.

Learning sharing events: The Program facilitated 15 events of sharing and observation of LAPAs/ISWMPs/PES and GESI/GBV integrated activities engaging Palika level stakeholders in nine districts: Kanchanpur (Bedkot and Krishnapur), Kailali (Janaki and Lamkichuha), Banke, (Rapti Sonari and Duduwa), Bardiya (Thakurbaba) Chitwan (Kalika and Ichhakamana), Syangja (Phedikhola), Dang (Gadhawa), Tanahu (Bandipur), Kaski (Pokhara Metropolitan City – ward 22, 23) Lamjung (Marshyangdi and Besisahar). Hariyo Ban Program's achievements, learning sharing and handover meetings were merged with these events. Key achievements, outcomes, learning, resource leverage expenses made in the last 9 and half years including key challenges and the way forward were shared and discussed during the meeting. As mentioned by the Mayor, Deputy-Mayor, Ward Chairs, community’s representatives, and other stakeholders of different Palikas during the meeting, the Program remained successful and most of the results were impressive and benefited the PVSE people. Further, all the local government thanked Hariyo Ban consortium for all the technical and financial support, and collaboration with various CBOs. Similarly, the mayor, deputy mayor and ward chairs expressed their firm commitment to scaling the best practices and learning. The Hariyo Ban Program will follow up with technical backstopping support for the key activities lead by the local government during the remaining period of the Program.

Ms. Devi Thapa Chetri, vice chair of Phedikhola RM, Syangja in her remarks committed to support community forests to sustain forest-based enterprises. The local representatives highlighted the Program's efforts to conserve biodiversity, improve livelihood and reduce gender-based violence. The community forest representatives singled out that "women leadership development" as the most effective legacy of Hariyo Ban Program.

The Program conducted two landscape level learning sharing workshops with the local and provincial government and other stakeholders, one each in TAL and CHAL. The Program brought together representatives from local governments, Divisional Forest Offices, FECOFUN chapters and community forests to discuss on the achievements of Hariyo Ban Program. Representatives from local government praised the successful programs like forest fire insurance and relief funds for human wildlife conflict. They also urged the community forests to propose more activities based on agroforestry for livelihood improvement which can be supported by the local governments. In these events, Divisional Forest Officers suggested that the government should come up with ideal forest management regime as suggested by Model CFs. The FECOFUN representatives emphasized to local government representatives to replicate and scale out the achievements of Hariyo Ban Program at the local level, to which the local government representatives responded positively. While representatives from community forests highlighted that

Picture 73: Vice chairman, Phedikhola RM during Learning sharing and handover events, Syangja

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"prosperity through forestry" can be achieved if the forest-based enterprises supported by Program can be continued by the local governments.

Final Evaluation: Coordination with Social Welfare Council is underway to conduct final evaluation of the program.

Endline study: An independent consulting firm was appointed to conduct the endline study of six indicators related to BDC and GESI. The results showed that there is an improvement in baseline/midline values of the indicators as a result of program interventions. The updated values for indicators are used to report progress on six indicators.

Field Monitoring: Due to the travel restrictions and associated risks, limited field monitoring visits were made. In such, four joint monitoring visits with stakeholders organized by WWF CHAL team. The program team and M&E focal persons at respective partners also conducted key field visits as required. Monitoring visits planned by center including high level visits were cancelled due to COVID19.

Data Quality Assessment: USAID/Nepal conducted virtual DQA of 13 indicators including one custom indicator during September/October 2020 with a purpose to understand data quality issues of indicators reported to USAID against standards; identify strengths and areas of improvement of M&E system, processes and capacity, and come up with a set of recommendations for improvement. USAID’s five key data quality standards namely validity, integrity, precision, reliability, and timeliness were used to assess the quality of data. The recommendations received from the USAID during DQA have been well documented and articulated in revised MEL plan.

Key learning:

• Virtual DQA conducted by USAID is very productive even during the very difficult time. This reinforced team understanding of the indicators through ample opportunity for reflecting on the issues and gaps.

The unit in the remaining period of the program will focus on finalization of remaining data and update the PITT sheet against the LOA targets along with the completion and submission of the final technical report. Similarly, the support will be extended to facilitate the final evaluation of the program to be conducted by Social Welfare Council.

3.3 Communications

This reporting period was very crucial for Communications Unit as the Unit geared up sharing of learnings and achievements over the last ten years to all stakeholders via appropriate communications channels. The Unit developed a stakeholder engagement strategy to set defined approaches and probable procedures to be followed upon identifying the relevant stakeholders. In collaboration and coordination with thematic team and consortium partners, the tasks were concerted on working towards Program’s communications goal to help better facilitate the general understanding of issues raised by the Program and influence the knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of the key audiences. The Unit also endeavored to share the Program’s successes and stories with the general public, donors, stakeholders, and the media. The Unit focused on documenting changes and differences made by interventions and made calculated efforts to disseminate the information

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to wider audience. Among the major outreaches was the collaboration with M&E Unit to handover learnings and achievements at local levels.

The Unit focused on collecting, sharing, and disseminating information about the Program at various levels with primary focus on local governments (Municipalities, Rural Municipalities), community-based organizations, local communities, NGO partners and Civil Society Organizations. With major part of this duration marred by COVID-19 pandemic, the events were organized in a hybrid model; very few participants at the event venue, while most of the participants joined virtually. The Unit published Information Sheet and 4-pager Learning Documents of major interventions at the local level, wherever possible, in Nepali language to better facilitate the understanding of key audiences.

The Unit collaborated with Sancharika Samuha, one of the grantees through Small Grants Program, to provide fellowship to female journalists from both CHAL and TAL. The journalists covered national issues within and beyond Hariyo Ban Program’s interventions in 15 separate articles to raise public awareness on glaring issues as well as to let public know how the Program strives to benefit both nature and people. The Unit believes that the outcomes of these fellowships and news coverage will help reap the Program’s stature in the mass media. Please refer to Annex 8 for details of news covered by these journalists.

For video documentation of major interventions of Hariyo Ban Program, the Unit contracted an experienced consultant. A video on Coffee and Cardamom enterprise was prepared and shared with USAID for approval. In this reporting period, several discussions were made to finalize the video content, which is still underway. The video will document the legacies of the Program and will help stakeholders, program designers as well as all three levels of government understand implementation strategies as well as importance of the programs to the communities.

One of the major accomplishments of the Unit has been effective use of social media platforms of USAID Nepal which have significantly higher outreach level in Nepal and beyond. In this reporting period, six social media posts were run through USAID Nepal's social media channel including Twitter and Facebook, helping immensely in further outreach of livelihood interventions by the Program. Furthermore, public were made aware of the Program interventions through social media of all consortium partners as well.

During this reporting period, the Unit collaborated with WWF US to arrange several webinars and publish Hariyo Ban's success stories via internationally acclaimed news outlets. As a result, few webinar events going to be conducted include IUCN's webinar on Gender-based Violence on February 11, 2021, and a webinar on March 4, 2021 at Woodrow Wilson Center, a non-partisan thinktank in Washington DC. These events will be excellent platforms to showcase current development and environmental issues, as well as the interventions of Hariyo Ban Program to address them. Several stories will be published via renowned outlets including World Wildlife Magazine.

Picture 76: Tweet by US Ambassador on Hariyo Ban Program

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In addition, the Unit continued its routine activities including editing, proofreading, translating, and ensuring branding and marking of outreach documents. The Unit played pivotal role in publication of several documents as well.

For the remaining period, the focus of until would be more on outreach of program achievements to donors and other relevant stakeholders and knowledge management.

3.4 Sustainability and Legacy

Hariyo Ban II developed a ‘Sustainability Plan and Program Legacies’ with an aim to ensure the sustainability of results beyond Hariyo Ban II. The document has two components: (i) Sustainability Plan and (ii) Program Legacies. While Sustainability Plan ensures that Hariyo Ban achievements were not lost and progress towards the program goals, continued beyond the Hariyo Ban period, as well as smooth closeout of its administrative and financial processes, the Program Legacies encompass those results and achievements which were innovative; had local, national, regional and/or global significance; provided value addition; and presented opportunities to scale up.

The Program has been implementing these two plans from Year 3 onwards and continued in Year 5 as well. Engagement with three tiers of government for policy related sustainability, capacity building of relevant institutions to ensure institutional sustainability, identifying sources for fund leverage for financial sustainability, documenting and sharing successful practices and learning for replication/scaling out are some of the Hariyo Ban initiatives to achieve overall sustainability.

In addition to the ongoing implementation of the sustainability plan, Hariyo Ban II has initiated the process of gradually shifting responsibility of continuing Program interventions and results to those local governments (municipalities) and local stakeholders (local institutions and networks, implementing partners) where the Program has mostly completed field level interventions. For this, a step-by-step process has been developed.

In the second half of fourth year, Hariyo Ban conducted two handover events in Annapurna and Myagde Rural Municipalities with an objective to inform and influence the upcoming planning process of local governments for next fiscal year. Information sheets capturing key interventions in a particular municipality, their outcomes and learning was prepared beforehand. Likewise, joint monitoring visits to the intervention sites and communities by a team comprising of Hariyo Ban staff and municipality authorities was carried out before the formal event to observe the results of Hariyo Ban interventions and to interact with the Program beneficiaries directly. On the day of the formal event (also called ‘handover’ event) attended by Program team, municipality representatives and Program beneficiaries, information sheets with key interventions and results from Hariyo Ban interventions, outcomes, learning and major findings from the monitoring visit will be shared and discussed. One of the key areas of discussion was post ‘handover’ role of municipality authorities and local stakeholders as well as Hariyo Ban Program. We clearly conveyed that the period starting from the ‘handover’ event till the phase out of Hariyo Ban Program will be taken as ‘sustainability assessment’ period, which will test the hypothesis behind the sustainability plan – that successful interventions and results will be carried forward and scaled up by local government and relevant stakeholders. Unfortunately, the remaining planned events had to be postponed due to Covid-19 pandemic.

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In Year-5, Hariyo Ban organized 15 similar ‘handover’ events in all municipalities where its investment has been significant. Alternative approaches of engagement with local government officials through tele-meeting was followed with selective participation of field-based staff and implementing partner NGOs. The ‘handover’ events were conducted taking into consideration all safety measures as per government protocols and USAID approved Risk Management Plan.

The culmination of the municipality level events was the landscape level learning-sharing event, which was held in Pokhara on 8th January 2021.

The ceremony program organized in leadership of Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoFE) with an aim to review achievements and learnings of Hariyo Ban Program's interventions at landscape level and share with relevant stakeholders for sustainability of the Program's impacts. The event was attended by the representatives of MoFE; Department of Forest and Soil Watershed Management; Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forest and Environment (MoITFE) Gandaki, Bagmati, Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces; Province Forest Directorate; DFOs; SWMOs; and members from several local levels, enterprises, CLACs, CBAPUs, CAMCs and CFUGs. Total of 333 participants (276 virtual, 57 present in-person) participated from working landscapes.

During the event, presentations were made to showcase and review Hariyo Ban Program’s achievements & learnings so far, and discussions were held on importance of mainstreaming best practices of Hariyo Ban Program beyond its cycle. Speaking during the event, representatives of local governments appreciated the achievements of Hariyo Ban Program and made commitments to continue the best practices. It was also event during their speeches that the local levels are very much interested to collaborate with similar programs for upscaling of successful interventions. Furthermore, officials from several agencies of Government of Nepal spoke highly of the Program's modality of being beneficiary centered. Minister for MoITFE, Gandaki Province as well as Secretary of MoFE thanked the whole consortium for efficient Program implementation and USAID for their generous support. They also made commitments to scale up and scale out successful interventions by the Program.

Similar event has been planned at central level during second half of the fifth year.

With regards to documentation of Program legacies and other key interventions, a comprehensive plan for documentation of Program legacies, noticeable outcomes/results, successful practices and learning was developed in Year 3. This plan has been rolled out in Year-4 and continued in Year-5 as well. A number of assessments, case studies, endline survey have been carried out/completed during this reporting period to document the key achievements, results/outcomes and lessons learned. The reports will be ready for wider dissemination through central level learning-sharing events and other means in a couple of months.

In addition to the programmatic processes, Hariyo Ban has also initiated administrative processes that includes closeout of field offices, handover/disposal of the Program assets. The handover of assets to local governments and local implementing partner NGOs is very meaningful from sustainability perspective as it is expected to further enhance their capacity so that they could provide continuity to and expand on Hariyo Ban results and good practices.

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4. MANAGEMENT

4.1 Coordination and Collaboration

Internal Coordination Mechanism

We continued with the internal coordination mechanism that was established in the first year of Hariyo Ban II. Program Management Committee meetings were regularized to share and address critical issues related to the Program. The Hariyo Ban Program Management Unit, representing the implementation team of the consortium partners, continued monthly meetings with all consortium partners to ensure smooth planning, implementation and monitoring of the Program activities. As in the past, the core team continued weekly meetings to manage day-to-day business. An extended core team representing the program and finance staff of consortium partners continued meeting every month to review both financial and programmatic progress. All international coordination meetings throughout the lockdown period were done remotely.

Coordination and Engagement with the Government of Nepal

Federal Level: We continued to closely work with the Ministry of Forest and Environment and all other concerned GoN agencies at federal level. The coordination at the federal level continued through the Program Steering Committee and its Working Group represented by different ministries, USAID, senior management of the four core partners, and core Hariyo Ban staff, to ensure overall guidance and integration with GoN priorities and policies. The Program Steering Committee has a Working Group that meets regularly. The Program supported the federal government to formulate, review and update policies, strategies, species conservation action plans and other activities of national priority.

Local and Provincial Levels: We constantly coordinated with the provincial (Bagmati, Gandaki, Lumbini and Sudur Paschhim) and local governments (2 metropolitan, 3 sub-metropolitan, 36 municipalities and 38 rural municipalities) of our working landscapes while implementing our activities and share our landscape level plans, programs and key achievements. We also supported local governments in capacity building, providing technical assistance and joint implementation of mutually agreed interventions. In addition, we have been also supporting some of the local governments in the preparation of their sectoral and GESI policies as well as periodic plans.

Coordination with USAID and Other Donors

The Program regularly conducted bi-weekly meetings with Agreement Officer’s Representative of USAID and shared the biweekly updates on overall progress of the program as per cooperative agreement. The bi-weekly meetings during COVID19 related lockdown period were conducted remotely where focal persons from consortium partners and field-team leaders also participated. Minutes of these meetings were shared among all participants.

In this period, the program coordinated with SAMARTHYA project, and CARE Nepal made an MoU with the Ministry of Land Management, Cooperative and Poverty Alleviation and Community Self Reliance Centre and "training of trainers" on climate risk sensitive land use planning to municipal focal persons and local resource persons.

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Hariyo Ban jointly with FECOFUN initiated collaboration with USAID funded SERVIR-HKH (ICIMOD) Project, with an objective to apply the Hariyo Ban Program's innovative approach/tools (e.g. forest fire insurance) and SERVIR HKH's Climate Resilient Forest Management System products (forest fire risk data/information) in an integrated way for better results in natural resources management and resilience building.

4.2 Budget vs. Expenditure

Table 5 shows the total budget vs. total expenditure of Hariyo Ban Program. Out of total program budget of USD 18,000,000, actual expenses as of December 2020 were 86%% whereas with Obligation were 97%.

Table 5: Budget versus expenditure of combined year 1-5 till Dec 2020

Details AWP Budget Actual Expenses Balance Spending %

combined year 1-5 Actual 18,000,000 15,461,240 2,538,760 86%

combined year 1-5 Obligation

18,000,000 17,507,935 492,065 97%

Table 6: Total Budget vs. expenditure as of Dec. 2020

Details AWP Budget Actual Expenses Balance Spending %

USAID Obligation vs spent+ Liabilities

18,000,000 17,507,935 492,065 97%

USAID Obligation vs spent excluding Liabilities

18,000,000 15,461,240 2,538,760 86%

*The financial figures presented in this report are draft and to be updated later, once finalized.

4.3 Operating Environment including Risk and Mitigation Plan

The operating environment during the reporting period continued to be affected by Covid-19 pandemic. The infection rate and absolute number of daily infections gradually started to spike in July 2020 and reached its peak in October. From October onwards, the absolute number of infection (according to government data) has significantly come down although the infection rate has not come down to a safe zone yet. The strict lockdown, which was gradually eased down starting from July 2020, was further eased by the government considering agriculture and festive seasons. The most essential services and development work under different sectors, including construction and production sectors, started to gradually revive but mass events such as schooling, religious gatherings, sports, and entertainment are not allowed yet. Taking opportunities of the eased situation, Hariyo Ban Program continued to implement its fifth-year activities including those carried over from year four. The implementation modality was adjusted to ensure safety of the Hariyo Ban team, community people and other stakeholders by diligently following the safety measures

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as outlined in the Risk Mitigation Plan, which was prepared following the GoN guidelines and approved by USAID.

The political situation remained more or less stable throughout the reporting period. But on 20th December 2020, in the midst of continued infighting within the ruling party, the Prime Minister dissolved the federal parliament and announced fresh election to be held May 2021. The dissatisfied faction of the ruling party and other political parties have challenged the Prime Minister’s decision in the Supreme Court and also started protest rallies. This political decision has resulted in disruption of functioning of government at the federal level and similar disruption at the provincial level is being feared leading to a new phase of political instability the country was expecting to avoid after formation of the majority government in 2017.

Considering the fact that Hariyo Ban has completed almost all field level activities by December 2020 and met its most of the commitments are accomplished, there will be no serious implications on the Program requiring preparation of a special mitigation plan. The remaining activities that include few outcome assessments, sustainability related processes at the field level, central level learning-sharing, review & reflection and closing events will be accomplished without any disruption. Nevertheless, Hariyo Ban team will closely follow the political developments in coming months and take all precautionary measures to ensure smooth functioning of the Program for the remaining period.

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5. LESSONS LEARNED, BEST PRACTICES AND SUCCESS STORIES

Lessons learned and best practices that the program realized during this reporting period are explained hereunder. Some selected success stories have been presented in Annex 9.

The Hariyo Ban learning and key achievement sharing meeting provided important platform for social interface among community groups, local government leaderships and stakeholders as well as helped to discuss different issues openly. Importantly, such event remained very effective platform as the local government representatives made commitment for replication of program’s achievements and best practices by means of budget allocation in future, which is best for institutionalizing program’s achievements and best practices.

Continued engagement with the key stakeholders and communities is needed to ensure the sustainability of successful PES interventions as the program is phasing out this year. For example, regular interaction in Marshyangdi helped to think about the way forwards for localizing PES pilot initiatives. The learning is also being replicated in Besishahar Municipality.

Mobilizing the local communities, local institutions, and committees for implementing Hariyo Ban activities has increased the leadership quality of the community people.

Coordination with different line organizations, Municipality and Rural Municipality before delivering any activities helps to create an enabling working environment and increased ownership in the Program.

Coordination and collaboration among consortium partners, local government and Department of Forest and Soil Conservation is important for effective and successful adoption of Model CF.

Strengthening institutional capacity of the CFUGs is a time taking process. However, sufficient time, regular follow up and coaching is necessary to internalize the ICB package to improve their governance.

Regular review, reflection and technical orientation at local partner level are needed for effective implementation of the activities. Linking such program with field level practices and issues supports to address the problem of partners and staffs.

The COVID -19 has created opportunities for staffs and partners to learn use of remote tools and technologies to connect with each other and facilitating regular interaction, meeting, and online courses. As the situation has improved over a period, we adopted mixed approach for effective program delivery. For example, while organizing learning sharing events, representatives from consortiums joined virtually and community stakeholders and local governments were physically represented in the meeting. Participants were connected through technologies.

We realized that quality documentation demands lot of work including back and forth communication to incorporate views and comments from multiple reviewers.

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6. CHALLENGES AND ANTICIPATED FUTURE PROBLEMS

The pandemic resulted into limited field mobility and staffs compelled to continue their work from home. Limited field visits were made as situation improved in the later part of the reporting period. As a result, we had to rely in the distant monitoring for documenting outcomes and results achieved to date. However, the information is well verified and confirmed with the field team at respective sites. It also hindered direct technical as well as managerial supports to local communities and stakeholders during implementation.

Since we modified our strategy and started conducting community level events with limited number of people, it hindered to reach large number of people at a time.

Most of the landscape and project level activities included were documentation, assessment, and study, which demand lots of time and traveling to the field. Further, the Covid-19 added many challenges to collect filed information. However, the Program adopted different means to collect information (zoom meetings, telephone contact, short field trips etc.) following safety measures.

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7. OPPORTUNITIES AND PROSPECTS FOR REMAINING PERIOD

7.1 Opportunities

Local governments are demanding our support in formulation of different policy on CCA, disaster risk management, GESI, PES, Natural Resource Conservation, and Watershed Management. Therefore, there is huge scope in supporting local government by sharing Hariyo Ban best practices and knowledge in formulation of different acts, regulations, and directives, as well as developing capacity at different levels to implement them in the remaining period. The project team has been immensely contributing at local, district and provincial level to share Hariyo Ban's learning as well as giving inputs by reviewing the documents. Still, this is an opportunity for Hariyo Ban to actively participate in policy discourse, and share experience, learning and evidence generated in the first phase of the Program.

In the context of Covid-19, we can be of help to local, provincial, and federal governments in formulating policies to address the multi-dimensional aspects – problems, challenges, policy gaps - brought by Covid-19. Different government may need context specific policies where they require technical and managerial support in different thematic areas where we can play both expert role as well as multi-stakeholder facilitation by using modern technology and community engagement/targeting.

Considering the fact that Hariyo Ban has carried out large number of documentation work to capture its accomplishments and learning, there is huge opportunity to share them at national and international level through social media, organizing and participating in learning sharing webinars.

7.2 Prospects for the Remaining Period

The emergence and spreading of COVID-19 pandemic have exerted many adverse impacts to society, economy and environment. Especially, livelihoods of our impact groups are worsened. The threats to conservation and vulnerabilities to climate change are further spreading leaving women and girls exposed to more risks. Though the vaccine is being developed by few developed countries, we do not know how much time it will take for the developing world including Nepal, to receive the vaccine.

USAID, therefore, through Hariyo Ban consortium, can sustain its supports to maintain the important results achieved in biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and livelihoods. There is a dire need to support different tiers of governments in developing strategies and action plans for pandemic preparedness: aligning its linkages with climate vulnerabilities and conservation. Similarly, it is also equally important to review Hariyo Ban supported landscape level strategies and action plans in the face of COVID-19 pandemics and support to implement incomplete activities to maintain the important results achieved in core and cross-cutting themes. We also need to support government agencies and stakeholders to implement National Integrated River-basin Management Strategy in which Hariyo Ban has contributed largely.

While in the remaining period, the Program will focus in strategic support to government agencies and partners in sustaining results of our legacy interventions. Similarly, it will focus in completion of documentation, preparing talking points for local governments for logical closing of legacy interventions and final reporting and small-scale follow-on proposal development of Hariyo Ban initiated logical activities.

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The Program will also be working on smooth phase out process based on its legacy and exit strategy. Transition of responsibility of continuing Hariyo Ban results and successful practices from Hariyo Ban to government and community institutions, closeout of field offices, handover/disposal of Hariyo Ban assets, and preparation of the final report will be the key focus.

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ANNEXES

Annex 1: List of NGOs/CSOs mobilized by regular and small grants program in this reporting period

SN Name of institution Implementing Partner/ Grantee

Address Mobilized under

1 BAFER Nepal (Nepal Balchaur Forest and Environment Resources Nepal)

Grantee Kailali Regular Program

2 Chepang Sangh (partnership with Diyalo) Issue based partnership Chitwan Regular Program 3 Child and Women Empowerment Society CSO Kaski SGP 4 Diyalo Pariwar Implementing Partner Chitwan Regular Program 5 Good Neighbor Service Association Implementing Partner Kaski Regular Program

6 Machhapuchre Development Organization Implementing Partner Kaski Regular Program

7 Natural Resources and Environment Conservation Nepal Grantee Banke Regular Program

8 National Federation of Youth Nepal CSO Kathmandu SGP

9 NEEDS Nepal (National Environment and Equity Development Society)

Implementing Partner Kailali Regular Program

10 Paribartanshil Mahila Samudayik Bikas Samaj CSO Tanahun SGP

11 Rastriya Haliya Mukti Samaj (partnership with NEEDs) Kanchanpur Regular Program

12 Rural Community Development Center Implementing Partner Lamjung Regular Program 13 Rural Development Center CSO Doti SGP

14 Sancharika Samuha (Women Journalists and Communicators Group) CSO Lalitpur SGP

15 Shree Swanra Integrated Community Development Center, Gorkha Implementing Partner Gorkha Regular Program

16 Social Justice Watchdog Nepal CSO Jumla SGP 17 Uzyalo Nepal (Bright Nepal) CSO Bardia SGP 18 Youth For Agri Welfare CSO Lamjung SGP

19 Community forest coordination committee (CFCC), Gadhawa Grantee Dang Regular Program

20 CFCC , Mahadevpuri Grantee Banke Regular Program 21 CFCC, Kamdi Grantee Banke Regular Program 22 Shree Ram UC Grantee Bardiya Regular Program 23 CFCC, Pahalmanpur Grantee Kailali Regular Program 24 Basanta, CFCC Grantee Kailali Regular Program 25 CFCC, Gauriganga Grantee Kailali Regular Program

26 Chure Conservation Network, Kanchanpur

Grantee Kanchanpur Regular Program

Annex 2: Hariyo Ban II working areas covered during July 2020-December 2020

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Complex Corridor Working Sites/Block District Municipality/Rural Municipality

1. Shuklaphanta Brahmadev Complex

Brahmadev

1. Puntura Khola Sub watershed (Northern flank

of Corridor)/Jogbuda Area

Dadeldhura Alital Rural Municipality

Parashuram Municipality

2. Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and Buffer

Zone(Southern part of the Corridor)

Kanchanpur

Bedkot Municipality Bheemdatt Municipality Krishnapur Municipality Shuklaphanta Municipality

2. Bardia-Karnali

Complex Karnali

1. Daulatpur Ghat cluster Kailali Tikapur Municipality

2. Balchaur Cluster Kailali

Bardgoriya Rural Municipality Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan city Godawari Municipality Janaki Rural Municipality Lamkichuha Municipality Mohanyal Rural Municipality

3. BNP and Northern Buffer Zone Bardia

Gulariya Municipality Madhuwan Municipality Rajapur Municipality Thakurbaba Municipality

3. Banke- Kamdi Kamdi

1. Kamdi Western block Banke

Duduwa Rural Municipality Kohalpur Municipality Narainapur Rural Municipality Nepalgunj Sub Metropolitan city Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality

2. Banke National Park (BaNP) and Southern

Buffer Zone Banke Kohalpur Municipality

3. Kamdi Eastern Block Dang

Banglachuli Rural Municipality Gadhawa Rural Municipality Ghorahi Sub-metropolitan city Rajpur Rural Municipality

1.Chitwan-Barandhabhar

Complex Barandabhar 1. Barandabhar Northern

Part

Chitwan

Bharatpur Metropolitan city Ichchhyakamana Rural Municipality Kalika Municipality Rapti Municipality Ratnanagar Municipality

Nawalparasi

Binaitriveni Rural Municipality Bungdikali Rural Municipality Devchuli Municipality Gaidakot municipality Hupsekot Rural Municipality

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Complex Corridor Working Sites/Block District Municipality/Rural Municipality

Kawasoti Municipality Madhyabindu Municipality

2.Chitwan National Park (CNP (Core area) +

Buffer zone

Nawalparasi Binaitriveni Rural Municipality Kawasoti Municipality Madhyabindu Municipality

Chitwan Bharatpur Metropolitan city Ratnanagar Municipality

2.Daraudi sub- basin

Daraudi sub- basin

1. Daraundi Lower part Gorkha

Ajirkot Rural Municipality Barpak Sulikot RM Bhimsen Rural Municipality Gandaki Rural Municipality Gorkha Municipality Paluntar Municipality

2. MCAP+ BZ Gorkha Chum Nubri Rural Municipality

3.Marshyangdi sub-river basin

Marshyangdi sub-river basin 1. Middle Marshyangdi Lamjung

Besishahar Municipality Dordi Rural Municipality MadhyaNepal Municipality Marshyangdi Rural Municipality Rainas Municipality Sundarbazar Municipality

4. Seti sub-river basin

Seti sub-river basin

1. Gaighat complex Tanahu

Anbu Khaireni Rural Municipality Bhanu Municipality Vyas Municipality Devghat Rural Municipality

2. Sukhaurakhola sub-watershed Tanahu

Bandipur Rural Municipality Bhanu Municipality Ghiring Rural Municipality Rishing Rural Municipality Shuklagandaki Municipality Vyas Municipality

3. Jamune Pokharibhanjyang

complex Tanahu

Anbu khaireni Rural Municipality Bandipur Rural Municipality Bhanu Municipality Devghat Rural Municipality Myagde Rural Municipality Rhishing Rural Municipality Suklagandaki Municipality Vyas Municipality

4. Kyangdi Complex Tanahu Bhimad Municipality

58

Complex Corridor Working Sites/Block District Municipality/Rural Municipality

Suklagandaki Municipality Syangja Putalibazar Municipality

5. Phusre Khola- Phedikhola Block

Syangja

Chapakot Municipality Phedikhola Rural Municipality Putalibazar Municipality Waling Municipality

Kaski Pokhara Metropolitan city

6. Panchase - Pokhara lake cluster (Ramsar sites) Kaski

Annapurna Rural Municipality Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality Madi Rural Municipality

Pokhara Metropolitan city

Rupa Rural Municipality 7. ACA Kaski Block Kaski Madi Rural Municipality

8. ACA Mustang Mustang

Barhagaun Muktikhsetra Rural Municipality Dalome Rural Municipality Gharapjhong Rural Municipality Lomanthang Rural Municipality Thasang Rural Municipality

1

Annex 3: Summary of progress of activities – AWP Year 5 & carried forward from Year 4 (July-December 2020)

Biodiversity Conservation

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks 1 Biodiversity Conservation 1.1 Threats to target species reduced

CBAPU Mobilization CHAL/TAL WWF Event 14 14

In total 49 events of cluster level meeting completed in presence of 1109 CBAPU members. These CBAPUs were supported for mobilization. The program distributed safety materials such as Masks and gloves to CBAPU members for potential risk reduction against COVID-19.

CBAPU Mobilization TAL WWF

Number 250 249 A total of 249 CBAPUs members have been supported for mobilization in TAL during this period.

Sensitization on biodiversity conservation with GESI consideration to forest guards

CHAL/TAL

WWF

Event 8 26

A total of 26 events of capacity building trainings to forest guards were conducted (8 from Y5 AWP and 13 carry forward) in which 614 forest guards took part and benefited including 129 females.

Sensitization on behavior of problematic animals for CFUGs

CHAL

WWF

Event 40 44

Altogether 44 events of sensitization were carried out in Gorkha, Kaski, Lamjung and Tanahu districts. A total of 1230 communities including 551 females attended the events and enhanced their knowledge.

Translocated Wild Water Buffalo monitoring and enclosure management

CHAL NTNC Year 1 1

During this reporting period, regular monitoring of Arna was done. Grassland management, veterinary care and fence maintenance were also made as required. done. At present, there are 14 Arnas (including 5 calves).

Bijaysal area management as indicated in Bijaysal Conservation Action Plan (Networking, Management activities, Plantation)

TAL FECOFUN Event 7 8

Total of four awareness programs were conducted for the users of Birendra Adarsha CF, Jayalakshmi Mahila CF and Janahit Mahakali C, Amar and Gwalabari CF of Shukla-Bramhadev (Krishnapur-2). Altogether 134 users from the CFs attended the meeting and became aware on importance of Bijaysal conservation and learned about the Bijaysal Conservation Action Plan (2018-2022). Besides, inventory of Bijaysal was completed in Amar CF, Gwalabari CF, Api CF and Ganesh CF.

Blackbuck habitat management TAL NTNC Year 1 1

Regular habitat management works such as cleaning, weeding, water hole maintenance, health care vaccine, deworming etc. were carried out for management of

2

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks blackbuck. The current population of Blackbuck has reached to 113 (M-36, F-46, Y-35).

Training for the network for Bijaysal Conservation (Sustainability plan and handover to district FECOFUN)

TAL FECOFUN Event 1 2

Instead of training, two events of Bijaysal conservation networking meetings were conducted in which 60 stakeholders participated. The participants held discussions on different aspects of forest management and Bijaysal Conservation Action Plan (2018-2022). The participants in the end of the meetings prepared action plans to continue the conservation of Bijaysal after the program phases out.

Carried forward from Y4

Conference on Asian Big Cats Ce WWF Event 1 This activity has been cancelled.

CBAPU mobilization-Bardia, Banke TAL WWF Number 60 61

61 total CBAPUs have been supported to mobilize in Banke, Dadeldhura and Kailali. These CBAPUs have been mobilized during the period for undertaking regular patrolling, meeting and awareness at community level.

combating wildlife trade outreach activities to non-conventional partners

Ce WWF Event 10 The consultant team has been recruited for undertaking the training events and the activities are being conducted.

Capacity building training to forest guard on Human Wildlife Conflict, Combatting Wildlife Trade and CCA- Banke, Shukla

TAL WWF Number 8 8 Eight events of Capacity building training to forest guards on HWC, combating wildlife trade and CCA were organized. Details of this has been reported above.

Engagement with non-conventional Sector -Judges Society

Ce WWF Package 1 This activity has been cancelled due to COVID. The budget has been diverted to trainings designed for non-conventional partners.

Replication of Seti sub river basin relief fund in Marshyangdi

CHAL FECOFUN District 1 1

As a continuation of support to the establishment of relief funds, FECOFUN handed over NRs. 2,50,000 to the Marsyangdi rural municipality level HWC Relief Fund in Lamjung. The Marsyangdi rural municipality allocated NRs. 5, 00,000 (from the Disaster Relief Fund) to the fund. Thus, the relief fund of NRs. 750,000 has been established. The fund management guideline has been endorsed by the rural municipality.

3

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks

Policy engagement at local to national level (HWC Relief Fund at Local Level, Coordination and Collaboration among local government and CFUG)

Center FECOFUN Package 1 1

Advocacy plan implementation in 10 different palikas in Bardiya, Gorkha, Kaski, Kailali, Gulmi, Makwanpur and Tanahu were conducted. An interaction program with local government, local stakeholders, local and district FECOFUN. The major focus on interaction was to establish and HWC relief fund at local level.

Capacity building on advocacy cycle (tools and techniques)

Ce FECOFUN Event 5 5

Five events of policy advocacy trainings were completed. Capacity of 130 members including 43 females from FECOFUN chapters at different level has been enhanced by taking part in the training events.

R 1.2 Threats to target landscapes reduced

Support to MCF (Enterprise, scientific management of forest and capacity building)

CHAL FECOFUN Package 11 12

Support to all 12 model CFs was completed as planned. Strengthening of lapsi candy/pickle making, vegetable framing, broom enterprise, eco-tourism enterprises were made in these model CFs. Interventions such as silviculture operation, plantation, conservation ponds, fire line construction, good governance practices were done for sustainable management of forest to bring life in the community forest.

Cross Learning Visit for Local Government representatives

CHAL WWF Event 1

Cross learning visit of local governments representatives could not be completed and cancelled considering restriction in travel because of COVID-19 scenario. The budget is being planned to spend for undertaking the water quality assessment of LCPV.

Phew PES board strengthening CHAL

WWF

Package 1 1

The program coordinated and supported to conduct meeting with stakeholders from upstream and downstream for strengthening the linkages. In addition, the PWEMB Meeting was also conducted. In this period, Paschimaanchal Hotel Association Nepal handed over NRs 50,000 to PES Phewa basket fund in 2020 through selling the green sticker to associated hoteliers for implementation of conservation works in upstream.

Landscape level closing event CHAL

WWF Event 1

Preparatory work for organizing landscape level closing event has been initiated and event date is proposed on January 8, 2021.

4

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks

Joint monitoring at district level CHAL WWF Event 6 4

In total four joint monitoring visits have been completed in Kaski, Syangja, Tanahun and Nawalparasi. Events planned in Lamjung and Gorkha were cancelled due to restriction in field mobility as suggested by local administration. These visits were aimed to showcase the results/outcomes of the Hariyo Ban Program under different result areas. Monitoring team members appreciated the results on biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and social transformation achieved by Hariyo Ban Program.

Review reflection meetings Center NTNC Event 1 Planned for February

Good practices of CFs documentation publication Center FECOFUN LS 1

Success stories collection on good practices of CFs and editing work going on. A book of 50 success stories of community forest users groups including all the model CF with priority to disadvantaged and minority groups will be published.

Documentation of model CF Center FECOFUN No. of

trainee 3 Success stories collection and editing work going on. A book of 101 success stories of community forest users groups will be published.

National level learning sharing on forest fire group insurance

Center FECOFUN

Event 1 Planned to conduct this event in February 2021.

Exchange visit of model CF Center

FECOFUN

LS 2 The exchange visits of the model CF have been completed. Due to delay in reporting from the district FECOFUN, the data are being collected and uploaded in the system.

LRP mobilization and capacity enhancement Center

FECOFUN LS 1 1

The LRP in each 12 Districts were mobilized to implement the program and reporting as planned. From involvement in the program they enhanced their management capacity.

5

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks

Forest Fire Group Insurance Center FECOFUN District 77 77

All of the 77 districts have been covered with Group insurance against losses and damage by the Forest Fire and Wildlife. An insurance policy has been signed with Pravu Insurance to cover the 1155 community forest users (Max 15 users per district). The relief amount is same as last year. i.e. in case of death by Forest fire or wildlife he or she will receive one lakh rupees and if only injuries he or she will get Ten thousands rupees as compensation for medical treatment. The policy this year will also cover the losses from wildlife. The policy will be effective from 14 January 2021 to 15 July 2021 (1 Magh 2077 to 31 Asar 2078) for a period of 6 months.

Carried forward from Y4

Eco-club mobilization support in Banke TAL WWF Event 6

This activity has been cancelled. The budget has been diverted to conduct training for youths on BDC, CCA and CWT. The work in under progress.

Habitat Management Support in PA TAL WWF No 2 The work in under progress.

Habitat Management/Solar Water Uplifting maintenance support

TAL WWF Times 1 The work in under progress.

Strengthening capacity on molecular science CHAL NTNC Lab 1 Stereo zoom research microscope procurement process is

underway through WWF Nepal.

Power fence improvement/maintenance CHAL NTNC Km 2 3.35

Support was provided to communities in replacing 60 wooden poles, 600 kg of heavy coated GI wire and two new batteries to increase the solar back-up and regular current flow in 3.35 km fence.

Greening trans-Himalayan (enrichment) CHAL NTNC Site 1 1 Irrigation system was improved/ maintained at Ghami

plantation site for regular water supply in plantation area.

Support to model CF CHAL/TAL FECOFUN Package 12 12 The support made in this period are reported combinedly in section above.

Day celebration (Environment, Biodiversity) and campaign celebration (16 day women campaign)

CHAL/TAL FECOFUN Package 1 1 A total of 19 events were conducted to mark CF day and GBV in this period.

6

Livelihood

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks 1.3 Market based livelihood alternatives developed and promoted

Link with district and regional level buyer including support for packaging for marketing and branding

CHAL NTNC Site 1 Due to COVID-19, this activity cannot be undertaken.

Strengthening existing enterprises based on Business and Sustainability Plan: Bel- Support in Legal Aspect and Operating Modality of Bel Enterprise;

CHAL CARE Package 1 1

During this period, the program supported to revise operational plan of enterprise and preparation of bel management plan of 6 networking CFUGs. In addition, 3 coolers and 18 sets of harvesting tools to CFUGs were supported to the enterprise.

Learning sharing of green enterprises of CHAL and TAL CHAL WWF Event 1 1

One virtual learning sharing event among 19 members from 11 different green enterprises located in TAL and CHAL participated the workshop. This event provided the learning platform among green enterprises where they shared their learning and learned from experiences from others.

Learning sharing of women entrepreneurs CHAL TAL CHAL WWF Event 1 1 Due to travel restriction, the events could not be

completed. However, the supports were made to strengthen the eco-tourism sites in Ragar CFUG and Tangring CAMC respectively in Daraudi and Marsyangdi sub river basin. Trail improvement and room furnishing supports were made.

Cross learning and sharing visit

eco-tourism sites CHAL

WWF

Event 1 1

Effectiveness study on revolving fund mobilization from a GESI perspective

Center FECOFUN LS 1

Tracking of the revolving fund is being carried out. So far 5 districts (Tanahu, Syangja, Kaski, Lamjung Gorkha) have completed the tracking. The study will be carried out after receiving all data.

Learning sharing workshop of income generating revolving fund for Tracking

Center WWF

Number 1 The revolving fund tracking of IGA has been undertaken by consulting firm. The report is yet to be received.

GESI responsive review of enterprise sustainability/business plan with GESI consideration

Center

WWF

Event 1 The profiling of women entrepreneurs is being carried out and the consulting firm has conducted review meetings with enterprises and its members.

Carried forward from Y4

7

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks

Skill based trainee Tracking in TAL and CHAL Center WWF Number 1 The tracking has been underway.

IGA fund tracking TAL and CHAL Center WWF Number 1 1 IGA fund tracking has been completed in Kaski, Lamjung

and Tanahu as per plan.

Support to promote coffee enterprise through plantation, coffee cycle management training emphasizing on harvesting and post harvesting

CHAL CARE Package 1 1 Material support such as 170 coffee bags and construction of 20 plastic ponds were made to strengthen and promotion of coffee enterprise.

Support to strengthen existing home-stay enterprise by providing hospitality trainings

TAL CARE Package 1 1

The program supported for strengthening of Bijaysal homestay by publication and distribution of homestay - Brochure and furnished the newly constructed snack/community house.

Support to strengthen existing madal enterprise by linking market and service providers and product diversification

TAL CARE Package 1 1 Handover of raw material for production of madal was made for promotion and strengthening of the madal enterprise.

Strengthening of Honey enterprise (Up scaling) CHAL NTNC Package 1 1

To scale up the enterprise, two training events were conducted for 30 new local farmers including 15 females. After the training, the program provided safety materials required for bee keeping and improved bee hives to all farmers.

Vegetable and mud pot enterprise promotion in model CF

TAL/CHAL FECOFUN Package 1 1 Fund support for vegetable farming has been made in Chipleti CF. Construction of store house was completed as a part of promotion of clay pot enterprise.

Revolving fund tracking Center FECOFUN LS 1

Tracking of the revolving fund is being carried out. So far 5 districts (Tanahu, Syangja, Kaski, Lamjung Gorkha) have completed the tracking. Tracking of fund in remaining districts has been completed and data is under review.

8

Climate Change Adaptation

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks

R 2.1 Participatory climate change vulnerability reduction integrated into local, district and national planning process

2.1 Review reflection meeting of CAPA implemented CFs CHAL WWF Event 1 1

A total of 14 participants from 11 CAPA implemented CFs from Phase I attended the virtual meeting organized by program. The event has supported to create learning opportunities among various CFUGs from different districts. All the participants shared their experiences of collaboration with different level of governments for leveraging resources. About 50% of activities prescribed by CAPA were reported to be implemented in respective CFs with support of Program, local government and development agencies.

IEC materials production and dissemination (Banawaj, insurance brief, Information brief of Forest Policy, act and regulation and Calendar)

Center FECOFUN package 1

Collection of various articles, interviews, achievement/ learning and photographs of Hariyo Ban program to publish in FECOFUN regular magazine (Ban Awaj) and a calendar of Nepali year 2078. In addition to Ban Awaj and Calendar, plan is underway to print compilation of all the policy briefs, Policy Review paper, GESI strategy and Forest Fire Awareness leaflets.

Days celebration Center FECOFUN Event 1 Planned to celebrate wetland day in 2 Feb 2021

Learning sharing interaction with Local and provincial Government about the best practices of HBP (CHAL and TAL)

Center

FECOFUN

Event 2 2

Landscape level learning sharing interaction conducted in one each in CHAL and TAL. Representatives from local governments, Divisional Forest Offices, FECOFUN chapters and community forests to discuss on the achievements of Hariyo Ban Program. The FECOFUN representatives strongly urged local government representatives to replicate and scale out the achievements of Hariyo Ban Program in the local level: to which the local government representatives responded positively.

9

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks

International Exposure visit (Best practices of HBP sharing with presentation)

Center FECOF

UN Person

2

This activity has been dropped due to COVID 19.

LRP mobilization and capacity enhancement Center

FECOF

UN LS

1

1

The LRP in each 12 Districts were mobilized to implement the program and reporting as planned. From involvement in the program they enhanced their management capacity.

Mainstreaming CCA DRR in land use plan development process Center CARE Event 1 1

A 14 days climate risk sensitive land use planning trainer's training was jointly organized with ministry of land management, cooperative and poverty alleviation (MoLMCPA) and CSRC, the NGO dedicated in land right where 23 participants (16 M and 7 F) participated representing different municipalities, land rights forums and Hariyo Ban Program.

Learning/sharing of CCA DRR good practices of Hariyo Ban Program at National/Provincial level-Collaboration with Ministries/Academia/Research Institutions

Center CARE Event 1

Planned to conduct in Jan 2020

Carried forward from Y4

Institutionalization of Planning, monitoring, review reflection and learning sharing within LAPA committees

TAL/CHAL CARE Event 6 15

The Program has facilitated 15 events of 'sharing and observation of LAPAs/ISWMPs/PES and GESI/GBV integrated activities engaging Palika level stakeholders in nine districts : Kanchanpur (Bedkot and Krishnapur), Kailali (Janaki and Lamkichuha), Banke, (Raptisonari and Duduwa), Bardiya (Thakurbaba) Chitwan (Kalika and Ichhakamana), Syangja (Phedikhola), Dang (Gadhawa), Tanahu (Bandipur), Kaski (Pokhara Metropolitan City – ward 22, 23) Lamjung (Marsyangdi and Besisahar).

Events conducted by FECOFUN, WWF and CARE are combinedly reported in this heading

R 2.2 Community Readiness to adapt to and benefit from climate change increased

2.2 Multi stakeholder engagement in implementation of ISWMP (Case-Khageri Khola)-Publication CHAL

CARE Publication 1 Document is in final stage and is under review by core team.

10

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks

Support to Thakurbaba Municipality on Reflection of Strategic Plan Implementation

TAL CARE Event 1 1

Review of the Thakurbaba Strategic plan was completed. Review of the plan and progress made to date were discussed and action plan was also prepared. The land use planning training was also conducted as a part of plan implementation.

Exposure visit of the newly formed committees in Pantura and Radha sub-watersheds to Khageri Sub-watershed

TAL WWF

Event

1

Exposure visit of the newly formed committees in Pantura and Radha sub-watersheds to Khageri Sub-watershed: Cancelled considering restriction in travel because of COVID-19 scenario

Continue support in ISWMP (climate smart vegetable farming training and tool support)

TAL WWF

Event 1 1

One training on climate adaptive vegetable farming was conducted in Radha benefitting 21 farmers including 11 females.

ISWMP review (Update on status of the ISWMP implementation and participatory review of the plan)

TAL WWF

2

The consulting firm has been recruited for undertaking this activity. The work in under progress.

International Conference on Community Based Adaptation Center

CARE Person 2 2

Nabin Dhungana, Watershed Management and PES Specialist and Jagannath Joshi, CCA Advisor participated in the training virtually.

Outcome Mapping of Climate Smart, Women Friendly, Time Saving Technologies

Center CARE

Study 1 Documentation of outcome mapping is ongoing.

Assessment of Vulnerability Reduction by addressing climate change impacts on poor, vulnerable and marginalized groups (DIA-RP)

Center

CARE

Study 1 Documentation of assessment is underway.

Long term monitoring mechanism of climate change impact monitoring plots Center WWF Time 1

Collection of second round of data has been done and maintenance planned for this year has been cancelled as most of the weather stations are working fine and contract with maintenance of weather station still active in Year 5.

Exposure visit to observe successful integrated watershed management program/activities

Ce CARE Visit 1 1

One cross visit of sub-watershed coordination committee for institutionalization and sustainability of the committee was carried out for Khageri SWCC.

Support in preparation of LAPA/LDCRP, strategic and sectoral plans as per the new policy/framework

Ce CARE No. of Plan 1 This activity has been cancelled and the budget has been diverted to implement the Exclusive LAPA and DIA RP.

11

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks

Carried forward from Y4

Sharing and observation of LAPAs/ISWMPs/PES and GESI/GBV integrated activities engaging Palika level stakeholders (for consolidation, mainstreaming, scale-up/scale out)

TAL CARE Event

6

6

Six events of sharing and observation of LAPA/ISWMPs and program were completed in Janaki, Bedkot, Raptisonari, Lamkichuha, Krishnapur and Duduwa.

Sharing and observation of LAPAs/ISWMPs/PES and GESI/GBV integrated activities engaging Palika level stakeholders (for consolidation, mainstreaming, scale-up/scale out)

CHAL CARE Event

2

2 Two events of sharing and observation of LAPA/ISWMPs and program were completed in Marsyangdi and Besisahar.

Sharing and observation of LAPAs/ISWMPs/PES and GESI/GBV integrated activities engaging Palika level stakeholders (for consolidation, mainstreaming, scale-up/scale out)

CHAL CARE Event

2

2 Two events of sharing and observation of LAPA/ISWMPs and program were completed in Kalika and Ichhakamana.

Follow up support to model site-Parki tole(From Saving) TAL CARE package

1

1

Support was made to 6 lead farmers from poor families for off seasonal vegetable farming. In addition, furnishing materials were provided to multipurpose community house in area.

Water source conservation in package (catchment, collection/distribution system)

CHAL CARE Site 1

1 Water source protection work in Chanpgaira, Myagde 1 has been completed as a part of Myagde LDCRP implementation

Climate adaptive/resilient livelihoods/agro ecological farming supports in common area as per LAPA and Local Government's priority

CHAL CARE CFUG

1

1 The program has provided plastic tunnel to 11 farmers in Sundarbazar, Lamjung for climate adaptive vegetable farming.

Matching support for implementation of CCA DRR activities from the strategic plan of Thakurbaba Municipality (from saving) TAL

CARE package

1

1

Hariyo Ban has provided the COVID safety materials to the municipality. Materials like surgical masks, electric thermal gun, N-95 masks, sanitizer, disposable gloves and handwash were provided.

Capacity building of Coordination Committee (micro/Sub watershed level) focusing leadership and institution development) administration support (meeting, co-ordination, monitoring as CHAL

CARE Committee

1

1

The program in this period supported Phusre Khola SWCC to conduct the review meeting where they reviewed the activities implemented and prepared action plan. The committee prepared an action plan during the meeting.

12

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks

well as office photocopy, stationaries etc.)

Water recharge pond construction/ Maintenance CHAL

CARE Event 1

1 Construction of cascade pond in Amilepani in Khageri area was completed.

Conservation/multi-purpose plantation in degraded lands/riverbanks CHAL

CARE Ha 1

1 The program supported plantation of 4000 seedling of Satuwa at Marsyangdi-2 and 300 bamboo seedling at Besisahar-7

Matching fund for establishing linkages of sub/micro-watershed coordination committee with local government, stakeholders etc. in priority sub-watershed/sub-basin etc. CHAL

CARE package

1

1 Check-dam construction in Puwa Khola, Khudi Marsyangdi ISWMP for sedimentation retention was carried out as reported above. Budget in these two activities are merged to carry out this activities.

Small scale structure construction for sediment retention (Degraded land rehabilitation, landslide treatment, river-bank protection etc.) CHAL

CARE Site

1

1

Support to Implement prioritized adaptation activities of LAPAs in coordination with NTNC and FECOFUN (Exclusive)

TAL/CHAL

CARE No. of Plan

9

8

Coordination with NTNC and FECOFUN was made to implement exclusive LAPAs namely- Machhapuchchhre Rural Municipality-2 (Sardikhola), 5 (Rivan), 6 (Dhital), 8 (Lwang); Annapurna Rural Municipality- 4 and 5 (Salyan) and 6 and 7 (Lumle) and Ghandruk in Kaski, Sundarbazar LAPA in Lamjung and Geta LAPA in Kailali.

Collaboration with NARC and others for agro-advisory service (in collaboration with CARE/SAMARTHYA) (From Saving) TAL

CARE Groups

2

2

During this period, two additional farmer groups of Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality 5 (Binauna Bebasayaki Tarkari Utpadan Krishak Samuha and Jabarpur Mahila Krishak Samuha) were expanded for agro-met advisory.

Support to Implement prioritize adaptation activities of LAPAs

CHAL

NTNC No. of LAPA 8 8

Prioritized activities were identified in consultation with CAMCs and RMs during year IV. Support was provided to implement prioritized activities of 8 LAPAs from ACA (4 LAPAs) and MCA (4 LAPAs).

13

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks

Capacitate CAMCs for implementation and mainstreaming of LAPA

CHAL

NTNC Event 2 2

Two units of program were conducted at Tsarang and Lomanthang of Mustang involving altogether 70 CAMC members and local representatives including 14 females.

CCA-DRR related issue-based advocacy based on advocacy plan.

Center FECOFUN

package 1 1 Total of nine districts (Kanchanpur, Kailali, Dang, Nawalparasi, Chitwan, Gorkha, Lamjung, Kaski and Syangja) have implemented advocacy plan of impact of national priority projects in community forest and Women empowerment issue in community forest.

Support for CFOP revision incorporating CCA-DRR

Center FECOFUN

CF 14 18 Total of 18 CFOPs in Gorkha, Kaski and Tanahu have been supported for renewal.

R 2.3 Climate-induced risks to people and ecosystems reduced through disaster risk reduction and management efforts

2.3 Assessment of greening trans-Himalayan cold region intervention CHAL NTNC Assessment 1

Field visit was carried out before December for data collection but were not able to assess the condition then because the was not able to identify the vegetation and mortality of stump due to dry season. Hence this activity has been dropped as this assessment is not possible to carry out before June.

Conduct agro-advisory services to 3 existing farmer groups in Banke TAL CARE Groups 3 3

Continued agro-met advisory services to the existing 3 farmer groups (Parishramik, Paschim Tilakpur and Pipalchautari) of Duduwa Rural Municipality-5, Banke to complete one cycle of different crops. In addition, the service has been expanded to 2 additional farmer groups (of Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality-5 (Binauna Bebasayaki Tarkari Utpadan Krishak Samuha and Jabarpur Mahila Krishak Samuha).

Conduct learning sharing workshop on agro-advisory services in collaboration with NFGF and LI-BIRD

TAL CARE Event 1 1

Completed five trainings virtually in coordination with SAMARTHYA, NFGF and LI-BIRD in which 97 farmers took part. These farmers learned vegetable farming techniques using IPM method.

14

Gender and Social Inclusion

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks GESI R 1 Improved internal GESI policies, standards and governance practiced by user groups

GESI R1.1

Gender Sensitive Budgeting Workshop Center NTNC Event 1 1

One event of gender sensitive budgeting workshop was completed in which 55 staff attended including 25 female.

GESI Analysis and Action Plan - implementation: Review and reflection

Center CARE Event 1

Consultant has been recruited to conduct review reflection for GESI analysis and Action Plan. Orientation to the team of consultant completed. Review is under progress.

GESI R 2 More women, youth and marginalized people perform effective leadership, decision and making advocacy

GBV Awareness Campaign CHAL FECOFUN Event 12 18

A total of 18 events of GBV awareness campaigns were conducted in Banke, Bardiya, Chitwan, Gorkha, Kaski, Kanchanpur, Lamjung, Syangja and Tanahu. Altogether 619 persons including 412 females attended the events and benefited.

Review Reflection and Networking CHAL NTNC Event 3 3

Three events were conducted at Chitwan, Bardia and Mustang to review and reflect overall experiences and learning from the gender specific interventions and gender mainstreaming activities implementation. Altogether 93 individuals including 52 females participated in the events.

Change Agent Mobilization

CHAL NTNC Event 2 2

Two change agents (Meena Chaudhary- indigenous female from Kanchanpur and Ramesh Poudyal - media worker from Chitwan) were supported and mobilized at Chitwan and Kanchanpur.

15

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks

National level event on achievement and learning sharing of GBV campion of FECOFUN (16 days campaign against GBV)

Centre FECOFUN Event 1 1

Altogether total 112 participants from civil society, organizations, government institutions, NGOs/ INGOs, FECOFUN Networks, community Members and concerned stakeholders were participated in the national event on sharing achievement and learning sharing of GBV campaign.

Review and Reflection on Men Engagement to Promote GESI (through Men Champaign and Change Agents)

Centre FECOFUN Event 1 Planned to conduct event in January.

Day celebration Centre FECOFUN Event 1

Plan is being made to celebrate International Women's Day on March 8 2021

GESI R 3 More equitable access to and benefits sharing from natural resources for women and marginalized groups

Value addition study of GESI and Governance on BDC and CCA Centre CARE Study 1

Review of success/cases stories for assessing value addition of GESI and Governance on BDC and CCA has been underway.

Carried forward for Y4

Develop and implement GESI internal policy at NRM groups (From Saving) TAL/CHAL

CARE CFUGs 16

16 Endorsement of GESI policies in 16 CFUGs in CHAL and TAL has been completed.

Documentary Centre NTNC Documentary 1 Dropped due to travel restriction.

Orientation to local elected representatives (Dalit and women) on local planning process and negotiation skills CHAL

NTNC

Package 1 1

The broadcasting of PSA is being aired from Ujyalo Network and will be continued till Mid of June 2020.

GBV awareness campaign

CT FECOFUN Event 2 2 Two events of awareness campaigns completed in Banke and Kailali. Details are reported above.

16

Governance

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks Governance Overarching activities of Governance

ICA tool and ICB packages refinement and publication Center CARE Event 1

ICA tools have been refined and accepted from working group. Final editing for publication is under way.

Gov R 1 Improved institutional capacity of user groups

Replication of Palika FECOFUN and CFUGs institutional capacity building approach beyond HBP area

Center FECOFUN Event 20

The events are being carried out and data are being reported by district FECOFUN. The progress will be reported by end of February.

Review Reflection and Learning Workshop of CAMC (on ICB process)

CHAL NTNC Event 2 2

In order to re-visit and discuss on the whole process of governance intervention under these CAMCs, two events of review reflection workshop were conducted at Mustang and Gorkha. Altogether 35 CAMCs member and local community members participated in the events.

Review Reflection and Learning Workshop of LHGUGs (on ICB process)

CHAL WWF Event 1 2

Two events of review reflection and learning workshops among 8 LHFUGs was conducted in this period. In total, 24 members attended and reflected on the ICB process.

Replication of Palika FECOFUN and CFUGs institutional capacity building approach

CHAL/TAL FECOFUN Palika 12 11

A total of 11 events of replication of palika FECOFUN and CFUGs institutional capacity building approach were completed in this period. Other events are ongoing.

Review Reflection and Learning Workshop of BZCFUGs (on ICB process)

TAL

WWF Event

1

This activity has been dropped as participants could not be gathered from all three corridors at one place to organize review meeting.

Gov R 2 Improved capacity of user groups to leverage and mobilize resources

17

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks

National level learning sharing workshop on MCF and Local FECOFUN/CFUGs mobilization approach Centre FECOFUN Event 1 1

National level learning sharing workshop conducted and shared the model CF and Hariyo ban program learnings to National executive members as part of scale out of CFUG institutional capacity building and improvement of governance.

Gov R 4 Improved policy and enabling environment for biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation Policy Briefs preparation Center FECOFUN Number 4

4

Policy Briefs on i) Role of CF for the promotion of customary practices and traditional knowledge of Indigenous People and Local Communities; ii) Roles and contribution of CF for preparation and implementation of CAPA; iii) Wildlife based eco-tourism in CF and iv) Roles and contribution of CF for the promotion of micro-enterprise.

Advocacy training Center FECOFUN Event 1

1

4 Days training on policy covering 4 different issues as mentioned above was conducted virtually. 26 FECOFUN leaders including 12 females participated in the events. Policy briefs were shared with the participants and inputs received.

Advocacy plan implementation Center FECOFUN Plan/Package 1

1

As a part of advocacy plan implementation, a total of 10 events in Bardiya, Dang, Gorkha, Kailali, Kaski, Makwanpur and Tanahu were conducted. FECOFUN has planned to implement advocacy plan in all provinces and other seven districts covering the policy issues as per policy brief. Policy briefs have been shared to the concerned districts and provinces. Province 1 has already conducted one event of advocacy on Wildlife based eco-tourism in CF.

Carried forward Y4

18

O/R Activities Locations IP Unit Target Progress Achievement Remarks

Capacity building of government and related structures personals on ICB

TAL/CHAL

CARE

Event 2

2

One each event in TAL and CHAL for capacity building of Government officials were completed for 44 representatives from DFOs. In addition, the representatives from FECOFUN, mature group, CFUGs etc. attended the events.

Follow up on Institutional Capacity Building of CAMCs and re-assessment CHAL

NTNC

Event 7

7 This year as a continuation of follow up activities, follow up in 7 CAMCs from ACA and MCA were done.

Capacity enhancement for staff and executive member of FECOFUN

Center FECOFUN No 4

4

As a part of regular capacity building, one executive member and 4 staff have enhanced their capacity in 3 different sectors. One staff and one executive enhanced on green enterprise promotion other two staff enhance their capacity in auditing cum financial management and proposal writings

Follow up institutional capacity building packages to NRM groups (integrate with MCF and local level action network strengthening.)

CT FECOFUN CF 22

15

15 events of follow of institutional capacity building packages of NRM groups were completed.

Capacity reassessment of NRM groups

TAL FECOFUN CF 1 1

Banke District completed one remaining reassessment program

19

Annex 4: Performance Indicator Tracking Table (PITT): July-December, Year 5

SN Indicator Unit

Data Disaggregation

Baseline (&

Year)

Y1 Actual

Year 2 Actual

Year 3 Actual

Year 4 Actual

Year 5

Target Regula

r Actual

SGP Actu

al

Total Actual Y5 % Justification/Remarks

Goal: To increase ecological and community resilience in the Chitwan- Annapurna Landscape and Terai Arc Landscape of Nepal

Objective 1: Improve the conservation and management of GON-identified biodiverse landscapes-CHAL and TAL Result 1.1: Threats to target Species reduced

1 1.1.1 Population size of key species (USAID PMP 2.3.3-1)

Number of

individual

Tiger 198 (2013) 235 52 Next tiger survey will be

conducted in 2021/22.

Rhino 645 (2015) 0 55

Government planning to conduct Rhino census in 2021

Snow leopard

301-400 (2017) 0 20

2

1.1.2 Number of rhino and tiger poaching incidents recorded by USG supported programs (USAID PMP 2.3.3-2)

Number of

poaching

incidents

Tiger NA 0 0 0 0 5

Poaching of tiger has been drastically increased in 2020 specifically in western TAL area.

Rhino 0 (2016) 2 0 0 0 0 6 Seven occasions of zero poaching since 2011

3 1.1.3 Number of Community based anti-poaching units (CBAPUs) formed and/or mobilized

Number of

CBAPUs

CBAPUs

Formed

201 (2011-2016)

4 39 34

CBAPU mobiliz

ed

351 (2012-2016)

163 355 418 265 412 415 415 100.7%

4

1.1.4 Number of people that apply improved conservation law enforcement practices as a result of USG assistance (EG.10.2-6)

Number of people

Sex, Caste/ethnicity/ age group

2,572 (2011-2016)

2,071 4,467 3723 2,345 4,120 4200 4200 101.9%

5

1.1.5 Value of economic loss (in USD) due to incidents of human-wildlife conflict recorded by USG supported programs (USAID PMP 2.3.3-3)

USD Landscape

88.69 USD/HH-Year ( April 2016 - April 2017)

44.35

USD/HH/Year

USD 62.16/ HH/Year

USD 62.16/ HH/Year

59.8%

Despite the efforts of the program, the economic loss could not be brought down as expected primarily because of increasing number of primates, deer, leopard, wild boar as a result of improved habitat and connectivity. (Figure received from Endline survey)

20

SN Indicator Unit

Data Disaggregation

Baseline (&

Year)

Y1 Actual

Year 2 Actual

Year 3 Actual

Year 4 Actual

Year 5

Target Regula

r Actual

SGP Actu

al

Total Actual Y5 % Justification/Remarks

6 1.1.6 Number of protected area management plans revised to make climate smart

Number of

protected area management plans

NA 1 (2011-2016) 2 4 -

7 1.1.7 Percentage of project supported households that perceive that relief amount is paid in a timely manner

% of HHs

supported

Landscape

9.09% ( April 2016 - April 2017)

18% 22.70% 22.7% 126.1%

The process of relief fund disbursement has improved. However, the figure is still low, the progress seems higher because of the very low baseline value and endline target. (Figure received from Endline survey)

8 1.1.8 Percentage of people perceiving that they receive benefits from conservation activities

% of people

Landscape

50.58% ( April 2016 - April 2017)

75% 67.7% 67.7% 90.3% Figure received from Endline survey

9

1.1.9 Number of peer reviewed scientific publications resulting from USG support to research and implementation programs

Number of

publications

3 10

Result 1.2: Threats to target landscapes reduced

10 1.2.1 Number of sub-watershed plans prepared/revised and implemented

Number of plans

revised

NA 5 (2011-2016) 3 0 0

Number of plans Prepar

ed

NA 14

(2013-2016)

3 1 1

Number of plans implemente

d

NA 14

(2013-2016)

6 1 1

21

SN Indicator Unit

Data Disaggregation

Baseline (&

Year)

Y1 Actual

Year 2 Actual

Year 3 Actual

Year 4 Actual

Year 5

Target Regula

r Actual

SGP Actu

al

Total Actual Y5 % Justification/Remarks

11 1.2.2 Number of water source (perennial) conserved in 21 micro-watersheds

Number of Catchment

NA 4 (2012-2016) 8 12 3 3 3 3 100.0%

12

1.2.3 Number of people trained in sustainable natural resources management and/or biodiversity conservation as a result of USG assistance (EG.10.2-4)

Number of

people

Sex, caste/ethnicity

/age group

33,509 (2011-2016)

512 8336 10,350 3,163 1119

1,266 223 1,489 133.1%

Participation in the planned virtual events were overwhelming and higher than anticipated.

13

1.2.3a Number of people participated in sustainable natural resources management and/or biodiversity conservation

Number of

people

Sex, caste/ethnicity

/age group

211,469 (2011-2016)

11,137 42,569 61,380 27,817 8,170

9,670

1,860

11,530 141.1%

In order to sensitize on key issues such as human wildlife conflict and CWT, additional virtual events were organized such as awareness events focusing on problematic animals in major hotspots in Seti River Corridor. Higher participants attended in the virtual events than expected.

14

1.2.4 Number of hectares of biologically significant areas under improved natural resource management as a result of USG assistance (EG.10.2-2)

Ha Landscape

532,979 (2011-2016)

28,698 211,402 159,899 292,399 278,126

132,500

145,626

278,126 100.0%

15

1.2.5 Number of hectares of biologically significant areas showing improved biophysical conditions as a result of USG assistance (EG.10.2-1)

Ha Landscape

75,376 (2011-2016)

193 18,412 12,543 17,714 1,673 1,834 88 1,923 114.9%

More activities to improve degraded and vulnerable land were implemented. Hence, more sites have improved biophysical condition than originally estimated.

16 1.2.6 Number of community forest operation plans (CFOPs) supported for renewal and implementation

Number of

CFOPs

Renewal

481 (2012-2016)

49 117 83 67 69 69 103.0%

Implemented NA 49 117 83 67 69 69 103.0%

22

SN Indicator Unit

Data Disaggregation

Baseline (&

Year)

Y1 Actual

Year 2 Actual

Year 3 Actual

Year 4 Actual

Year 5

Target Regula

r Actual

SGP Actu

al

Total Actual Y5 % Justification/Remarks

17

EG.10.2-5 Number of laws, policies, or regulations that address biodiversity conservation and/or other environmental themes officially proposed, adopted, or implemented as a result of USG assistance (USAID PMP 2.4.1-2)

No. of policie

s NA

10 (2012-2016)

2 3 19 1 1 1 100.0% Invasive alien species management strategy.

Result 1.3: Market-based livelihood alternatives developed and promoted

18 1.3.1 Revenue generated from conservation friendly enterprises NRs.

Individual

Household & Group

NRs. 14,302,

040 (Dec 2017)

3,313,132

42,429,385 52,165,882 50,000,

000 41,019,

036

10,746,0

59

51,765,095 103.5%

19

1.3.2 Number of people with improved economic benefits derived from sustainable natural resource management and/or biodiversity conservation as a result of USG assistance (EG.10.2-3)

Number of

people

Sex, caste/ethnicity

/age group

79830 (2011-2016)

10,950 10,310 6,610 2,130 2,360 40 2,400 112.7%

More livelihood activities were implemented in Model CFs as per the demand of users.

20 1.3.3 Number of women entrepreneurs engaged in conservation friendly enterprises

Number of

Women

Caste/ethnicity

/age group

292 (Dec 2017)

363 211 67 20 36 36 180.0%

The exceeded progress is due to a greater number of women entrepreneurs supported through SGP which could not be speculated while setting the target of this indicator.

21 1.3.4 Proportion of skill-based trainees employed

Number of

people trained

Sex, caste/ethnicity

/age group

1,127 (2012-2016)

324 65

% of trainee

s emplo

yed

Sex, caste/ethnicity

/age group

55% (2012-2016)

0 48% 68%

23

SN Indicator Unit

Data Disaggregation

Baseline (&

Year)

Y1 Actual

Year 2 Actual

Year 3 Actual

Year 4 Actual

Year 5

Target Regula

r Actual

SGP Actu

al

Total Actual Y5 % Justification/Remarks

22

GNDR-2 Percentage of female participants in USG-assisted programs designed to increase access to productive economic resources (assets, credit, income or employment

% of female

Landscape NA 56% 46% 50% 30% 21% 51% 102.0%

Objective 2: Reduce climate change vulnerability in CHAL and TAL Result 2.1 Participatory Climate Change Vulnerability reduction integrated into local, district and national process

23

2.1.1 Number of vulnerability assessments conducted at sub-basin, sub-watershed, rural municipality level

Number of VAs

Landscape

529 (2011-2016)

4 9 8 1 6

SGP projects are being closed out and data are being processed for reporting. Remaining data will be updated after receiving inputs on SAPR from USAID.

24 2.1.2 Number of LAPAs prepared and/or implemented

Number of

LAPA prepar

ed

Landscape

90 (2013-2016)

1 3 2 7

SGP projects are being closed out and data are being processed for reporting. Remaining data will be updated after receiving inputs on SAPR from USAID.

Number of

LAPAs

implemente

d

Landscape

70 (2013-2016)

18 20 21 1 18 18 18 100.0%

25

2.1.3 Number of climate change adaptation plans being implemented in collaboration with EFLG Committees at different levels

Number of

LAPAs

Landscape

6 (2013-2016) 0 0

26

2.1.4 Number of local bodies (DDC, Municipality and VDC) and PA authority incorporating climate change adaptation, DRR and/or EFLG provisions in their plans

Number of local

bodies

Landscape

6 (2011-2016) 1 12 11 3 7

SGP projects are being closed out and data are being processed for reporting. Remaining data will be updated after receiving inputs on SAPR from USAID.

27

EG.11-3 Number of laws, policies, regulations, or standards addressing climate change adaptation formally proposed, adopted, or implemented as

Number of

policies

NA 4 (2011-2016) 1 1 1 1 1 100.0%

River basin strategy- submitted for approval process

24

SN Indicator Unit

Data Disaggregation

Baseline (&

Year)

Y1 Actual

Year 2 Actual

Year 3 Actual

Year 4 Actual

Year 5

Target Regula

r Actual

SGP Actu

al

Total Actual Y5 % Justification/Remarks

supported by USG assistance (USAID PMP 2.4.1-3)

Result 2.2 Community Readiness to adapt to and benefit from climate change increased

28 2.2.1 Number of people trained in climate change adaptation supported by USG assistance (EG.11-1)

Number of

people

Sex, caste/ethnicity

/age group

18,744 (2011-2016)

855 1,721 2,071 5,318 1,295 866 866 66.9%

SGP projects are being closed out and data are being processed for reporting. Remaining data will be updated after receiving inputs on SAPR from USAID.

29 2.2.2 Number of people participating in climate change adaptation activities

Number of

people

Sex, caste/ethnicity

/age group

395,331 (2011-2016)

4,632 48,626 58,246 23,934 14,562 14,130 14,130 97.0%

30

2.2.3 Number of institutions with improved capacity to assess or address climate change risks supported by USG assistance (EG.11-2)

Number of

institutions

Adaptation

capacity/Genera

l climate capacity

2,114 (2011-2016)

23 75 70 18 16 5 5 31.3%

SGP projects are being closed out and data are being processed for reporting. Remaining data will be updated after receiving inputs on SAPR from USAID.

25

SN Indicator Unit

Data Disaggregation

Baseline (&

Year)

Y1 Actual

Year 2 Actual

Year 3 Actual

Year 4 Actual

Year 5

Target Regula

r Actual

SGP Actu

al

Total Actual Y5 % Justification/Remarks

31

2.2.4 Number of people using climate information or implementing risk-reducing actions to improve resilience to climate change as supported by USG assistance (EG.11-6)

Number of

people

Implementing

risk reducin

g practice

s & Using

climate information in

decision-making

195,461 (2012-2016)

1,482 24,469 26,987 16,498 30,564 50,830 50,830 166.3%

We planned to reach out targeted number of people with climate information through production and dissemination of radio jingle. We had contract with Association of Community Radio Broadcasters Nepal (ACORAB) which has huge coverage through the 340 radio stations. As per the feedback mechanism adopted by ACORAB, a huge number of people have listened and used the climate information. Hence, the progress is higher than the target.

32

2.2.5 Number of adaptation plans that are implementing measures to address differential impacts of climate change and DRR on women and vulnerable communities/people

Number of

adaptation

plans

NA 2 (2013-2016) 7 8 1 14 12 12 85.7%

SGP projects are being closed out and data are being processed for reporting. Remaining data will be updated after receiving inputs on SAPR from USAID.

33

2.2.6 Number of institutions established and operational at sub basin, sub-watershed and micro watershed level

Number of

institutions

Landscape

14 (2013-2016)

3 15 5 1 1 1 100.0%

Result 2.3 Climate-related risks to people and ecosystems reduced through disaster risk reduction and management efforts

34

2.3.1 Number of people with improved capacity to recover from disasters including from climate induced disasters

Number of

people NA NA 492 1,772 2,584 1,945 1500 744 744 49.6%

SGP projects are being closed out and data are being processed for reporting. Remaining data will be updated after receiving inputs on SAPR from USAID.

26

SN Indicator Unit

Data Disaggregation

Baseline (&

Year)

Y1 Actual

Year 2 Actual

Year 3 Actual

Year 4 Actual

Year 5

Target Regula

r Actual

SGP Actu

al

Total Actual Y5 % Justification/Remarks

35 2.3.2 Number of CCA and DRR plans implemented

Number of plans

Landscape

2(2013-2016) 2 20 6 - 15 0.0%

SGP projects are being closed out and data are being processed for reporting. Remaining data will be updated after receiving inputs on SAPR from USAID.

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) GESI Result 1: Improved internal GESI policies, standards, and governance practiced by user groups

36 GESI 1.1 Number of NRM groups integrating GESI provisions in plan and policies

Number of

groups NA 251

(2017) 25 167 242 67 69 69 103.0%

37 GESI 1.2 Number of NRM groups implementing the GESI provisions

Number of

groups NA 242(201

7) 25 139 238

38

GESI 1.3 Women and members of ethnic and marginalized groups perceiving that NRM members including men and decision makers exhibit gender equitable and socially inclusive behavior

% NA 78.96%

( Dec 2017)

0 82.43% 99% 84.99% 85.8%

The target of this indicator was set before the baseline study was conducted. Because of the high baseline value, the 25% increment in baseline value (99%) was too ambitious to achieve.

GESI Result 2: More women, youth, and marginalized people perform effective leadership, decision making and advocacy

39

GESI 2.1 Percent of leadership positions in USG-supported community management entities that are filled by a woman or member of a vulnerable group (USAID PMP 1.3.2-1)

% NA

Women and

marginalized men - 72%

(women only- 40% ;

marginalized men

only - 32%): 2017

Women and

marginalized men -74%

(women only- 47%

(marginalized

women 23%);

marginalized men

only - 27%)

Women and

marginalized - 87% (women

only- 46% (marginalized women

38%); marginalized men only

- 41%)

27

SN Indicator Unit

Data Disaggregation

Baseline (&

Year)

Y1 Actual

Year 2 Actual

Year 3 Actual

Year 4 Actual

Year 5

Target Regula

r Actual

SGP Actu

al

Total Actual Y5 % Justification/Remarks

40

GESI 2.2 Proportion of women and men (members of NRM groups) who believe that the gender roles have been changed as a result of USG assistance

%

Sex, caste/ethnicity

/age group

65.44% ( Dec 2017)

78% 82% 79.93% 97.5%

41

GESI 2.3 Proportion of women and marginalized groups in NRM leadership positions perceiving they have been able to perform their roles effectively

% NA 43% (

Dec 2017)

53% 56% 54% 96.4%

GESI Result 3: More equitable access to and benefit sharing from natural resources for women and marginalized groups

42

GESI 3.1 Benefits received by women and members of ethnic and marginalized groups from NRM and adaptation interventions

NRs. (millio

n) Incom

e/ Reven

ue

Landscape

111 (2017) 111 14.49 199

NRs. (millio

n) allocated for women and

marginalized groups

Landscape

12 (2017)

(11% of total

revenue)

12

4.82 (33% of annual revenue

)

33.42 (17% of annual

revenue)

Governance Governance Result 1: Improved institutional capacity of user groups

28

SN Indicator Unit

Data Disaggregation

Baseline (&

Year)

Y1 Actual

Year 2 Actual

Year 3 Actual

Year 4 Actual

Year 5

Target Regula

r Actual

SGP Actu

al

Total Actual Y5 % Justification/Remarks

43

Gov 1.1 Percent of local organizations with improved capacity and/or performance scores (USAID

PMP 1.3.1-2)

%. of institut

ions (Number of

institutions)

NA

Based on the scores they have

received on their capacity, 49 % local

organizations fall

under good, 44%

medium and 7% weak

categories

13% (50) 35%

75% (291 NRM

groups)

Governance Result 2: Improved capacity of user groups to leverage and mobilize resources

44

Gov 2.1 Number LAPA groups able to leverage resources from other sources, including government agencies for CCA/DRR

Number

LAPA groups

NA 28

(2014-2016)

6 23 27 2 17 16 16 94.1%

Governance Result 3: Improved technical capacity of user groups to advance local solutions on biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation issues

45

Gov 3.1 Number of local organizations receiving U.S assistance engaged in implementing initiatives for local solutions

No. of institut

ions NA NA 0 4 83 13 19 19 146.2%

The utilities of leaf bag for germination of vegetable seeds have been highly appreciated and liked by the communities and local organizations. Apparently, more local organizations showed interest in participating in training events organized for the promotion of this local solution. Hence, the progress is higher.

Governance Result 4: Improved policy and enabling environment for biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation

29

SN Indicator Unit

Data Disaggregation

Baseline (&

Year)

Y1 Actual

Year 2 Actual

Year 3 Actual

Year 4 Actual

Year 5

Target Regula

r Actual

SGP Actu

al

Total Actual Y5 % Justification/Remarks

46

Gov 4.1 Number of policies/Regulations/Administrative Procedures in following stages of development: Stage 1: Analysis; Stage 2: Stakeholder consultation/public debate; Stage 3: Drafting or revision; Stage 4: Approval (legislative or regulatory); Stage 5: Full and effective implementation (USAID PMP 2.4-2)

No. of policie

s NA

24 (2012-2016)

1 2 4 20 2 2 2 100.0%

47

Gov 4.2/ DR.4.2-2 Number of civil society organizations (CSOs) receiving USG assistance engaged in advocacy interventions (USAID PMP 1.3.1-1)

No. of organizations

NA NA 11 35 1 28 30 30 107.1%

48

Gov 4.3 Number of public policies introduced, adopted, repealed, changed or implemented consistent with citizen input [2.4.1-12, USAID PMP 1.4.1-1]

No. of policie

s NA 30

(2017) 1 3 2 1 2 2 2 100.0%

NEW Indicators

CBLD-8 Number of USG-assisted organizations with increased performance improvement

Number of

institutions/organizat

ion

Type of organizations

NRM groups

ICA results: Weak -

28 Medium -176 & Good -

197 ISWMP committees: NA

50 (with improve

d perform

ance scores of

NRM groups)

NRM groups:

85 ISWMP committ

ees: 2

291 NRM groups

RESIL-1 Number of host government or community-derived risk management plans formally proposed, adopted, implemented or institutionalized with USG assistance

Number of plans

Type of plans and

phase of develop

ment

NA

LAPA: 18 ISWMP: 6

LAPA: 20 ISWMP: 1 Management Plans: 2 LCPV: 1

LAPA: 21 ISWMP:1 Management Plans:4

LAPA: 1 LAPA:18

LAPA:18 LAPA:18 100.0%

30

SN Indicator Unit

Data Disaggregation

Baseline (&

Year)

Y1 Actual

Year 2 Actual

Year 3 Actual

Year 4 Actual

Year 5

Target Regula

r Actual

SGP Actu

al

Total Actual Y5 % Justification/Remarks

YOUTH-3 Percentage of participants in USG-assisted programs designed to increase access to productive economic resources who are youth (15-29) [IM-level]

% of youth Sex NA 11% 10% 4% 9% 13%

1

Annex 5: List of Bijaysal Network Member CFUGs in Kanchanpur

S.N. Name of CFUG Address Area (ha) HH 1 Baijanath CFUG Bheemdatt Municipality, 1 40 420 2 Sahid Smriti CFUG Bheemdatt Municipality,3 40 516 3 Ganesh CFUG Bedkot Municipality, 7 412.39 899 4 Siddha Baijanath CFUG Bedkot Municipality, 4-5 582.8 183 5 Amar CFUG Bedkot Municipality, 6-7 305.7 495 6 Bedkot CFUG Bedkot Municipality, 4-5 271.57 347 7 Kalika CFUG Shuklaphanta Municipality, 8 197.3 395 8 Pragati Mahila CFUG Shuklaphanta Municipality, 8 265.66 215 9 Janahit Mahakali CFUG Krishnapur Municipality, 2 198.93 530 10 Gwalabari CFUG Krishnapur Municipality, 2 253.44 532 11 Birendra Adarsa CFUG Krishnapur Municipality, 2 128.50 392 12 Dipendra Smriti CCFUG Krishnapur Municipality, 1 307.28 697 13 Ayesworya CFUG Krishnapur Municipality, 1 392.84 787 14 Bishal CFUG Krishnapur Municipality, 1 197.74 408 15 Hariyali CFUG Krishnapur Municipality, 5 490.55 977 16 Shree Jaylaxmi Mahila CFUG Krishnapur Municipality, 2 127.49 288 17 Shree Gadbijula CFUG Krishnapur Municipality, 2 200.15 422 18 Jhilimili Janakalyan CFUG Krishnapur Municipality, 2 80.5 151 19 Shree Api CFUG Krishnapur Municipality, 5 123.41 364 20 Sitanagar CFUG Belauri Municipality, 5 48.03 79

Total 4664.28 9097

2

Annex 6: Model Community Forests promoted under the Program

S.N

Name of Model CF District Municipality/Rural

Municipality Ward Area (Ha.)

Number of Household Vision Statement

1 Banpale CF Kaski Annapurna Rural

Municipality 3 16 160

Prosperous, Good governance and Sustainable forest management. Gender equitable and Entrepreneur Model Banpale community forest

2 Kalika CF Lamjung Besisahar Municipality 1 63.24 151

Sustainable forest management and ecotourism for prosperity, Model Kalika Community Forest for Inclusiveness and Livelihood Improvement

3 Chipleti CF Syangja Phedikhola Rural

Municipality 1,2 37.44 153

Inclusive governance, entrepreneur sustainable management of forest as identification of Model Chipleti Community Forest

4 Jumdanda Jhapri CF Tanahu Bandipur Rural

Municipality 4 47 106 "Good governance and collective Community Forest sustainable forest management for livelihood"

5 Kulpani CF Dang Gadhwa Rural

Municipality 1 436 585

Ecotourism with sustainable management of forest, equitable good governance with prosperous model Kulpani Community forest

6 Janshakti CF Kailali Tikapur

Municipality 2 140.5 597 Interest of all users, Model Janshakti CF in ecotourism, sustainable management and entrepreneurship

7 Puspatinath CF Banke Duduwa Rural

Municipality 5 85.5 155 Model in religious tourism and entrepreneurship is the interest of Puspatinath CF

8 Thangkhola CF Chitwan Kalika Municipality 2,3 199 1739

Sustainable Thangkhola CF, Model in ecotourism, good governance and inclusiveness

9 Musedada CF

Nawalparasi

Hupsekot Rural Municipality 4 75.66 476

Biodiversity conservation, safeguarding socio-cultural belief through SFM, ecotourism and entrepreneur development

10 Rajdevi CF Gorkha Gorkha

Municipality 13 159.6 259 Rajdevi ma digo ban, rojgari;ban ma saalak, ghar-ghar ma tapari

11 Santi CF Bardia Rajapur Municipality 7 24.12 102

Susashait ra samridha santi samudayek ban, digho ban bewastan udhamshilta hamro chahana

12 Baijnath CF

Kanchanpur

Bhimdatt Municipality 1 222 400

"Improving livelihood through sustainable management of forest resources and ecotourism promotion. "

1,506 4,883

25

Annex 7b: List of GON Grants in Hariyo Ban II

SN Name of grantee Purpose of the grant Landscape District Theme Status 1 Department of Forest National Silvi-culture Workshop National NA BD Completed

2 Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation

Management of Stockpile of Wildlife body parts, Nepal National

NA BD Completed

3 Bardia National Park Support to Establish Wildlife Damage Quick Relief fund to minimize human wildlife conflict in Buffer Zone Areas of Bardia National Park TAL Bardia

BD Completed

4 Chitwan National Park

Support to increase Wildlife Damage Relief Support Distribution Fund (Revolving Fund) to minimize human wildlife conflict in buffer zone area of Chitwan National Park CHAL Chitwan

BD Completed

5 Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation

Capacity building (Participation of Senior Journalist in United Nations Climate Change Conference)

National NA BD/CC Completed

6 Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation

Preparation of Initial Environmental Examination of Lake Cluster of Pokhara Valley Management plan CHAL Kaski

BD/CC Completed

7 Department of Forest Research and Survey

National Level Forests and Land Cover Analysis through Integration of Google Earth Images and Moderate Resolution Satellite Images in Nepal

National NA BD Completed

8 Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management

Translating Concept of Integrated River Basin Management into Application: Pilot site intervention in Gandaki River Basin’ CHAL Kaski

BD/CC Completed

9 Department of Forest In-situ Conservation of Bijaysal in Saraswoti CF, Kapilbastu TAL Kapilbastu BD Completed

10 Department of forests Support for organizing Second National Collaborative Forest Workshop National NA BD Completed

11 Soil and Watershed Management Office, Parbat Renovation of Thulipokhari CHAL

Parbat BD/CC Completed

12 Ministry of Forest and Environment Revisiting ecosystems and forest types of Nepal National NA

BD Ongoing

13 Ministry of Forest and Environment Institutional Capacity strengthening National NA

BD Completed

26

SN Name of grantee Purpose of the grant Landscape District Theme Status

14 Division Forest Office, Syangja Biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation through public land management National

Syangja BD/CC Completed

15 Central Forestry Training and Extension Center

Developing Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Strategy and Implementation Plan for Forestry Sector

National NA GESI Completed

16 Ministry of Forests and Environment Assessment of Blue Bull population, distribution and behavioral pattern, and Human - Blue Bull conflict status in Nepal TAL NA

BD Completed

17 Ministry of Forests and Environment Support for Institutional Capacity Strengthening National NA BD Completed

18 Department of Plant Resources Preparation of Historical Dictionary of Food Plants of Nepal National NA BD Completed

19 Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation

Conservation of Blackbuck in KrCA : Construction of earthen mounds in Blackbuck habitat in National NA

BD Completed

20 Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation Support in revision of National Forest Policy National NA BD Completed

21 Department of Forests and Soil Conservation Preparation of Draft National Forest Act National NA BD Completed

22 Ministry of Forests and Environment Support to Ministry of Forests and Environment for preparation of Draft National Environment Policy

National NA BD Completed

23 Department of Forests and Soil Conservation

Developing framework for River Basin Management: A case illustration from Seti River Basin’ CHAL Tahanu/Kaski

BD/CC Completed

24 Center for Forest Training and Extension Center

International conference on south Asian agro forestry National NA

BD Completed

25 Department of Forests and Soil Conservation

National Integrated River Basin Management Strategy and Action Plan National

NA CC Completed

26 Ministry of Forests and Environment National Conference on Bioresources National NA

BD Completed

27 Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation

Analyze population dynamics, persistence and carrying capacity of tiger in Banke – Bardia TAL

Banke, Bardiya BD Ongoing

27

SN Name of grantee Purpose of the grant Landscape District Theme Status

28 Ministry of Forests and Environment

Support to establish Nepal Forests Management Information System and to capacitate on National Project Bank Management Information System and Line Ministry Budget Information System

National

NA

BD Under approval Process

29 Department of Plant Resources Preparation of "Flora of Nepal" National NA

BD Under approval process

30 Forest Research and Training Center Additional support to Revisiting forest and ecosystem types of Nepal National NA BD Under approval

process

28

Annex 7c: List of CSOs and Private Sector Grants in Hariyo Ban II

SN Name of grantee Project Title Theme District Municipality/Rural Municipality

Lot

1 The Organic Valley Pvt. Ltd.

Organic Turmeric Cultivation & Processing in Buffer Zone Area, Chitwan National Park – An Opportunity of Self-Reliance

Livelihood Nawalparasi

Kawasoti Municipality

I

2 Green Governance Nepal Preparation of Human Common Leopard Conflict Mitigation Strategy and Action Plan BD

NA NA I

3 Himalayan Nature Preparation of Human Elephant conflict mitigation strategy and action plan BD NA NA I

4 Child and Women Empowerment Society

Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Community Forest User Groups GESI

Kaski Annapurna RM

I

5 Sustainable Community Development Centre

Enhancing Disaster Risk Response Capacity and promoting GESI in CFUGs and Schools in Disaster Prone Gaunpalikas of Gorkha District

GESI/GOV Gorkha Ajirkot RM

I

6 Shree Machhapuchhre Uttam Coffee Utpadak Sahakari Sanstha Limited

Strengthening Coffee enterprise in Phewa watershed Livelihood Kaski Annapurna RM

I

7 NGO Network, Tanahu Renovation of Aahals and pokharies in Tanahu CC

Tahanu

Devghat RM Rishing RM Myagdi RM Vyas Municipality Bandipur RM

I

8 Mr. Ghana Bahadur Shrestha and team

Spring shed management for conservation of drying springs in Chitwan- Annapurna Landscape (study) CC

Pokhara Pokhara Metropolitan City

I

9 Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (

Sensitizing NRM issues among students and journalists through effective media and youth engagement BD

Kaski/Tanahu

Pokhara Metropolitan city Vyas Municipality

I

10 The Small Earth Nepal

Customization of weather information and climate services to smallholder farmers - a pilot project at Seti watershed in Kaski

CC Kaski

Pokhara Metropolitan City

11 Right to Access Nepal Enhancing Sustainable Livelihood for Indigenous

Community in Tanahu District Livelihood Tanahu Byas Municipality II

29

SN Name of grantee Project Title Theme District Municipality/Rural Municipality

Lot

12 Lightning and Atmospheric Research Center

Assessing Climate Change with Thunderstorms as Proxies and safeguarding vulnerable communities from lightening Hazard

CC Tanahu/Makwanpur/Kaski Vyas Municipality Pokhara Metropolitan city

II

13

Association of Family Forest Owners Nepal

Plantation campaigns to promote agro-forestry and improve biodiversity in three biodiversity important corridors

BD Tahanu, Banke, Kailali Devghat RM Tikapur Municipality

II

14

Hamro Sano Prayas Promotion of citrus enterprise (lime) for environment conservation and livelihood improvement

BD Tanahu Nawalparasi

Bhimad Municipality Madyabindu municipality

II

15 Artha Institute Designing and piloting market-based wildlife damage

insurance scheme to mitigate Human Wildlife Conflict in Nepal

BD Chitwan Kaski

Ratnanagar Municipality

II

16

Sagar Bee Keeping Industry

Bee for Business and Biodiversity BD/Livelihood Nawalparasi Hupsekot RM Bungdikali RM Devchuli Municipality Gaindakot Municipality

II

17 Environment Coordination Committee Kailali

Development of Local Disaster and Climate Resilience Plan (LDCRP) of Tikapur Municipality of Kailali, Karnali Corridor

CC Kailali Tikapur municipality

II

18

Conservation Development Foundation Nepal

Strengthening local governance to restore Dipang Lake for climate resilient lake environment, biodiversity, tourism & livelihoods

CC/GOV Pokhara Pokhara Metropolitan City

II

19 Friends for Peace Building and Development

Entrepreneurship Development of Forest Dependent Women for Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change Adaptation

BD/Livelihood Chitwan Icchakamana RM Kalika M

II

20

Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation

Demonstrating solution to mitigate Human-Primate Conflict in marginalized and ethnic communities at Seti Corridor

BD Tahanu

Shuklagandaki Municipality

II

21 The National Federation of Youth NGO Nepal

Knowledge Sharing with Provincial Parliamentarians on Biodiversity Conservation & Climate Change Adaptation

BD/CC NA NA II

30

SN Name of grantee Project Title Theme District Municipality/Rural Municipality

Lot

22 Vision for development Alternative Livelihood for Extremely Marginalized

Communities through the Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge and Practice in Barandabhar Corridor Project

Livelihood Chitwan Ichhakamana RM Kalika Municipality

II

23

Ujyalo Nepal Ensuring market-based livelihood opportunities for wildlife victim single women

Livelihood Bardiya Thakurbaba Municipality

III

24

Paribartanshil Mahila Samudayik Bikas Samaj

Conservation of local seeds agrobiodiversity for climate change resilience

CC Tanahun Bhanu Municipality III

25 Sancharika Samuha (Women Journalists and Communicators Group)

Media initiative to amplify the voices and concerns of Dalit, Ethnic and other marginalized groups in Conservation

GESI CHAL/TAL NA III

26

Child and Women Empowerment Society Nepal, Kaski

Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Community Forest User Groups in Kaski (scale up of Lot I grant)

GESI Kaski Annapurna Rural Municipality Pokhara Metropolitan City

III

27

Social Justice Watchdog Nepal

Promoting biodiversity conservation through the development and management of existing and artificial ponds in buffer zone / CFs along buffer zone of Bardiya National Park

BD/CC Bardia/Surkhet Chhinchu, Hariharpur, Lekhparajul, Taranga

III

28 Rural Development Center

Action for upliftment of Vulnerable People through the Promotion of NTFP Value chain initiatives in Panturakhola area of Dadeldhura district.

Livelihood Dadeldhura Alital RM III

29

Youth For Agri Welfare Conservation of wild bees and promotion of wild honey for biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement BD/Livelihood

Lamjung Dordi Rural Municipality Sundarbazar Municipality

III

30 Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists

Evidence based Media Advocacy for Conservation and Sustainable Development

BD NA NA III

31

Annex 8: List of News covered by Journalists provided with Fellowships:

Published in

Arthik Aawaj

https://arthikawaj.com/trekking-route-2/?fbclid=IwAR37alJiv335CKaRmhWvYTEYUuz-xaQGFi5rEbFcgQqebYLQtp-OQVjUdi8

Damauli Express

https://damauliexpress.com/archives/37775?fbclid=IwAR21T8rJNh7edZ1eXBaE8TZVwQqdXLOPx6wrujqg1Cq6xPFSHHzRAoQCHIU

Khabarpunja

https://khabarpunja.com/2020/12/14/15331

Nepal Samacharpatra

https://www.newsofnepal.com/2020/12/14/368732/?fbclid=IwAR13RzoaywY8WEmk1HHkUDw5vnpdedz6eF4tJ1kkRhl-iBzejZvolPZEbo0

Bhangyang National Daily

https://bhanjyangnews.com/2020/12/15/7231/?fbclid=IwAR2kcYXmEZhP5waDeyzgMS3Sj_5QNf-o6HYqnjXYgSF2xJKH88eHjyv7ip0

Radio Dhorbarahi

https://radiodhorbarahi.com.np/news-details/1233/2020-12-15?fbclid=IwAR3bw0TkXcNYbO3Akcf1dj8HgYOLy1YTwz3VPb1HcdLahBgfBdsctFL4zYc

The Kathmandu Post

https://kathmandupost.com/province-no-5/2020/12/16/smuggling-of-wildlife-parts-rampant-in-butwal?fbclid=IwAR2tgbmxh94ULqoAWqJgtx0ao8umz45ca1FYlzwiRDxl1WAPJAOLF2m_ceo

Nepal Samacharpatra

https://www.newsofnepal.com/2020/12/18/369826/

Aadarsa Samaj

https://www.eadarsha.com/nep/119126?fbclid=IwAR2fukH91q_n54-MpwQGV3gsrCjEEicr10VpQAijS5dv8g9NLlz0tjzf83c

saheekhabar.com

http://saheekhabar.com/2020/12/20/5938/?fbclid=IwAR1cwkxQqBR3pHbdaLc9D4oO04j0giYa9QZcq6fPGKintrJnjvHfeQf8duA

E-kagaj

https://ekagaj.com/article/pradesh-2/3143?fbclid=IwAR1VVeZwP8To1OHjOPnH5j8QMKqf8w2xqByeDqi3osMhqxBAo7fOJeemlPo

Khula Nepal

32

https://www.khulanepal.com/2020/12/25/20921/

Narayani Online

https://narayanionline.com/2020/12/26/95513/

Narayani online

https://narayanionline.com/2020/12/28/95983/?fbclid=IwAR0GogW6kkXzNWa6a2ABfR0i6E45sEuGBB4wMxiLzwYgCL8eQ3y1YIhJeSE

Tikapur FM

https://tikapurfm.org/news-details/1426/2020-12-29

Narayani Online

https://narayanionline.com/2020/12/30/96262/?fbclid=IwAR1pI3IdvDF2AzNpnD53HGu-SuaIxkbK6FLtKKIQma6RCM30_TI-1O7EvEQ

Anumodan Khabar

https://anumodankhabar.com/2020/12/30/39867

Setopati

https://www.setopati.com/social/225222

33

Annex 9: Success Stories

Story 1: Silt Trap Dam- New learning for Rural Municipality

Hariyo Ban Program has been working since 2011 in Ichchhakamana -7, Chitwan where Integrated Watershed Management Measures are being implemented for conservation and utilization of watershed resources in Khageri Khola Sub-watershed. Within the sub-watershed, there are eight micro-watersheds that have been prioritized based on need for protection, its utility, risks and other factors. Khahare Micro-watershed is the most critical among others due to frequent riverside cutting and flashflood coming from up-hills of Mahabharat range with high speed especially during the rainy season. Based on management plan, the program coordinated with the local government and CFUGs of the area. The program last year had completed the construction of 456-meter-long embankment for riverbank protection along with 60 m wide silt trap dam on the tributary of the Khahare Khola to control the sediment load. This has contributed for rehabilitation of more than 35 ha of degraded land.

On March 2020, Diyalo Pariwar/Hariyo Ban Program organized joint monitoring visit of Ichhakamana Rural Municipality. The monitoring team comprised of 15 members represented by Chair and Vice-chair, Ward Chair of Ward no 7, CFUGs representative within Ward, Diyalo Pariwar, Journalist and Khageri Khola Sub Watershed Conservation Committee. This was the first visit of the Palika Chairperson Ms. Gita Gurung in the ward to monitor the Hariyo Ban led interventions. She thoroughly observed interventions carried out by project and appreciated the efforts and results made by project team. While visiting to Silt Trap Dam site in Mulsyangdi, the tributary of Khahare khola, the project team briefed on its purpose, its cost of construction and utility, she greatly admired it. She added “Every Local government is facing the problem of checking and controlling the aggregates harvesting mechanism of the river area and this silt trap can be very efficient means to overcome this. Being major source of the revenue for the local government, we are unable to close the harvesting of aggregates and also monitoring/checking process is inefficient. However, if we can build this kind of structure, it will support for aggregate accumulation, river speed control and as well delineate the area for excavation". She further shared, "I will build more of such structures in coming years and regularize the haphazard excavation following environmental and financial compliance. Also, I seek equal support from the program as well”

Story 2: Agro-met advisory bulletin distribution: Farmer’s way to address climatic issues

Laxmi Singh Thakuri, 43 years old, is a lead farmer and chairs the Paschim Tilakpur Farmers Group situated at Paschim Tilakpur Duduwa RM-4, Banke. Agriculture is the main source of livelihoods in her family. Despite of numerous challenges due to climate related issues in agricultural production, she earns NRs 500,000 per year. As a chairperson, she has always been a role model and a source of motivation for other farmers in her group.

Climatic issues brought over by climate change have been constantly harming the agricultural crop elsewhere. Farmers in Paschim Tilakpur village were also impacted due to climate change. Laxmi was in a hope of searching some solution since a long time to address these issues in Paschim Tilakpur farmers group. When Hariyo Ban Program approached the Group for providing orientation on agro-met advisory

34

model, she promptly agreed to help her best in every way. Laxmi after attending the orientation was very much influenced from the agro-met advisory services model, use of applications and related websites and looking forward for agro-met advisory bulletin distribution. After the completion of agro-met advisory bulletin distribution, Laxmi was overwhelmed to see happiness in the faces of farmers for getting information on weather status, agronomic practices, possibility of new pest and diseases occurrence, market information etc. Laxmi thanked Abhiyenta (local campaigner) for briefing on the information contained in the bulletin.

Since then, farmers of Paschim Tilakpur farmers group are applying the information acquired from the bulletin and have been able to solve most of the climate related issues which were creating obstacle in their farming. The weather forecast has helped mostly at present. Laxmi shared that they came to know about a lot of techniques regarding animal husbandry as well. For example, in past days they used to give cold water to their cattle while they now know that animals too need warm water like human. She had a buffalo that was suffering from some disorders since a month. She used appropriate medicines as stated in the bulletin and also referred the prescription made by technician in palika. Luckily, the buffalo was recovered. These are only few cases to reflect how much helpful are the bulletin for farmers.

Laxmi mentioned that the farmers in her group are very much thankful towards Hariyo Ban Program for applying such an innovative idea of agro-met advisory bulletin published by NARC. She further added that the neighboring villages are also interested to replicate such agro-met advisory system in their villages. As a result, service has been extended to two additional farmer groups in this reporting year.

Story 3: Ensuring the right of freed Haliya in the Community Forest

People in poverty such as freed Haliyas who simply lived on forest products were not generally included in most of the Community Forest Users Groups (CFUG). As the issue came up prominently during social analysis conducted by the program in 2017, CARE Nepal, Hariyo Ban Program through its local implementing partner NEEDS Nepal, formed issue-based partnership with Rastriya Mukta Haliya Samaj, Kanchanpur. The partnership has made significant achievements for ensuring right of freed Haliya through advocacy and inclusion (user membership) of freed Haliya in four Community Forestry User Groups located in Kanchanpur.

With the main source – the forest – located nearby, they collect forest product from there, but the membership fee which is up to NPR.10, 500.00 had closed doors to their legitimate right. On the other hand, many CFUG members regard Haliyas as squatters/encroachers who are responsible for the forest destruction and illicit felling. In the meantime, Hariyo Ban Program had been facilitating sensitization sessions, bringing them together in interaction which supported in building common understanding amongst CFUG executives. It also encouraged freed Haliya to support in CFUG activities such as forest protection and management.

The program further sensitized 32 participants including Mukta Haliya local leaders and campaigners about the forest act, forest regulations, CFUG constitution and CFUG operational plan along with capacity building on leadership and advocacy. The program then facilitated collection of actual information of

35

excluded households and conducted interactions with respective CFUG, local government, Division Forest Office and civil society organizations on the same issue.

Finally, with enhanced trust and cooperation, the CFUG provided membership to 187 household of free Haliya.

Source: adopted from Empowerment Matters: Success Stories from Hariyo Ban Program

Story 4: Income from revolving fund helps with treatment of Mr. Karna Bahadur Gurung

The revolving fund established at Raibhandar CFUG in Pokhara Metropolitan city ward no-23, Chapakot of Kaski district has been a boon for the people in abject poverty. The CFUG with 150 users is led by an executive committee comprising nine members, five of them women.

Karna Bahadur Gurung, 70, from Naya Basti was one of the first five persons to receive the interest free loan from the fund more than four years ago. He was a ‘gha’ category user as he didn’t have any source of income. The wealth ranking was the criteria for selecting individuals for the loan. He was vulnerable also due to the geographical placement of his village. Naya Basti village is small with scattered houses and is right next to the Harpan Khola which after the construction of a dam has now placed the village at an even more vulnerable position. The loan was able to provide some relief to him.

“With the loan amount (NRs. 10,500) I purchased two goats, which gave birth to two kids, one male and one female. Later, I sold the male goat for NRs. 16,000 and the female goat for NRs. 8,000 and returned the loan amount. With the goat giving birth to two to three kids every six months, my family earned NRs. 24,000 by selling three goats this year alone,” said Karna Bahadur Gurung. The family earned about NRs. 4,00,000 over the span of six years.

Source: adopted from Empowerment Matters: Success Stories from Hariyo Ban Program

Story 5: Business brought by Community Learning and Action Center

"I remain busy most of the days now". This is the saying of Ms. Maina Kumari Baral, 58 years of age, who is one of the user members of Atmiya Aangan CFUG. Hariyo Ban Program started support in her community back from 2012. Out of 85 HHs of Aatmeaagan CFUG, 25 poor and dalit community members were selected and CLAC was formed after which 16 weeks of extensive training and discussions were carried out focusing on women empowerment and livelihood improvement. “We were motivated to conduct campaigns on social issues. The CLAC proposed and decided to appoint me as the secretary of the CFUG. Then I started my journey in community forest movement. Later, I also became an operating member at mothers’ group, road users’ group and Sakriya Mahia Savings and Credit Co-operatives” added Ms. Baral.

“I participated actively in various training like off-seasonal vegetable farming, home-gardening, account keeping and other forums of women empowerment. My participation helped me to be a well-managed

36

commercial vegetable farmer. I now have a plastic tunnel for off seasonal vegetable farming, one buffalo and three goats. I’m sure this is possible due to my promptness and my affiliation in CLAC. Equally, I am also grateful towards my husband and two sons who help me all the time in vegetable gardening. I have sown all the vegetable seeds provided by the Program and using agricultural tools provided. I have been earning Rs. 15,000-Rs.20,000 per month from the sale of vegetables. We utilize this income on children’s education and for household expenses.

I also got opportunity to own the breeding buck (high yielding breed) supported by the program. I am also making money (Rs. 4,000 per month) as per my CFUG’s decision from letting this breeding buck for mating with she goats form other farmers. Actually, it has supported to improve genetic traits of local breeds in our villages. I want to extend my farm at a larger scale but there’s a slight problem of marketing.

This way Hariyo Ban Program has empowered a woman like me and propelled me towards organized farming occupation. My gratitude is always towards the program and hope for support in coming days too.

Story 6: Engaging men to promote gender equality and positive masculinities

Men engagement for gender mainstreaming is a crucial strategy. With this aim, Hariyo Ban supported male change agent for gender advocacy and mobilized Mr. Ramesh Poudyal as a change agent. Mr. Poudyal is among the change agents empowered by Program through three days long change agent training to enhance leadership of women in natural resource management, break stereotype in society and train men and women on gender issues and rights. He is affiliated with Barandhabhar Buffer Zone Users Committee and professionally a media worker of Shivasakti Radio, Bharatpur, Chitwan.

As being the change agent of Hariyo Ban Program, he started to address gender and social inclusion issues in a community and also in his professional life. Through the support, he brought gender mainstreaming into a local society and trained two local Dalit girls. Currently they are working in Radio Shivashakti and able to run "Sangini program" which focuses on existing gender issues. From recent support, he conducted three episodes of Radio Program where he exclusively focused on the leadership barrier as a major gender issues beside their significant contribution in conservation that exist in natural resource management. Further, he has plan to focus his Radio program on underlying causes of leadership barriers of women in conservation. He stated, "Men engagement is essential in achieving gender equality and better balance in society". With this motive, he is in his journey to make change in society through his media awareness.

WWF Nepal

PO Box: 7660, Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal

T: +977 1 4434820, F: +977 1 4438458

Email: hariyobanprogram@wwfnepal.org, info@wwfnepal.org

Website: www.wwfnepal.org/hariyobanprogram

Disclaimer: This report is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of WWF Nepal and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.