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he Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) in Eastern Nepal is a vital biodiversity hotspot, home to endangered species such as the snow leopard and red panda. This area is also crucial to the cultural and economic well-being of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) who live there. However, the KCA faces increasing threats from climate change, wildlife poaching, and inadequate resources for conservation.  

To address these challenges, 91Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ launched an ongoing project, funded by the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF), aimed at enhancing biodiversity documentation and conservation within the KCA. This initiative began following the Executive Council's approval on 24 October 2024, and seeks to integrate advanced scientific tools with the rich traditional knowledge held by IPLCs, ensuring that current and future conservation efforts are both effective and equitable.  

This project aims to bring about transformational change in biodiversity conservation through improved governance and management of the KCA. It actively supports the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and contributes to Nepal's progress towards achieving Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal GBF. Ongoing activities include strengthening the capacity of IPLCs, especially women and girls, in biodiversity conservation through training sessions and the use of scientific tools such as camera trapping and GPS. The project also engages school students in current conservation practices. Identifying biodiversity hotspots is another key activity, achieved by integrating local and indigenous knowledge with scientific data. Additionally, the ongoing management effectiveness of the KCA is being assessed against the IUCN Green List Standard, with the project working towards the potential designation of the KCA as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.  

A central and continuous focus of the project is the active involvement of IPLCs, with a strong emphasis on gender equality and social inclusion. The project recognizes the crucial role of women, girls, and marginalized communities in biodiversity conservation, seeking to empower them through continuous capacity-building and leadership opportunities. To ensure long-term sustainability beyond its 8-month timeframe, the project collaborates with key stakeholders such as the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) and local governments. This partnership fosters a sense of ownership and encourages the allocation of resources for ongoing conservation efforts. 

This ongoing KBF-funded project is expected to have a lasting impact on biodiversity conservation in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. It aims to enhance biodiversity data and monitoring, improve the management and governance of the KCA, empower local communities, integrate traditional knowledge, and contribute to national and global biodiversity targets.  

UNESCO's project in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area represents a crucial step towards achieving sustainable and equitable biodiversity conservation. By combining scientific innovation with the invaluable indigenous knowledge of local communities, this initiative sets a benchmark for effective area-based conservation and contributes to a healthier planet.