- Nepal's new biodiversity strategy aims to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030, focusing on forests, wetlands, and fragile mountain environments.
- The plan prioritizes indigenous knowledge and community-led conservation to resolve human-wildlife conflicts and manage natural resources sustainably.
- Officials estimate a $1.55 billion cost, proposing that businesses disclose their environmental impact to help bridge significant funding gaps.
- This initiative seeks to safeguard the economy, as ecosystem services currently support nearly two-thirds of Nepal’s financial stability and local livelihoods.
Kathmandu, Nepal: Along the riverbanks of Chitwan, farmers recall when the water ran clearer and fish were plentiful. In the hills of Dolakha, elders speak of forests so dense that sunlight barely touched the ground. Today, those memories are fading—replaced by shrinking habitats, unpredictable weather, and growing conflict between people and wildlife.
But a new national plan is offering a sense of cautious hope.
The Government of Nepal has unveiled an ambitious biodiversity strategy that aims to restore 30 percent of the country’s degraded ecosystems by 2030—a move that could directly reshape the lives of millions who depend on nature for survival.
The draft National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2030), currently open for public consultation, is more than just a policy document. For many communities, it represents a chance to reclaim lost landscapes and secure their future.
“We have always lived with the forest, not against it,” says a community forest user from Sindhupalchok. “If the forest disappears, so does our way of life.”
A Plan Rooted in People and Nature
At the heart of the strategy is a commitment to restore forests, wetlands, and fragile ecosystems that have been steadily degraded by climate change, pollution, and unplanned development. But unlike previous approaches, this plan places local communities—and their knowledge—at the center.
Indigenous practices, passed down through generations, are being recognized as essential tools for conservation. From sustainable harvesting to traditional water management, these practices are now seen not as relics of the past, but as solutions for the future.
The strategy also aims to tackle everyday challenges that people face: reducing crop damage caused by wildlife, controlling invasive species that destroy farmland, and cutting food waste that strains both households and ecosystems.
The Cost of Saving Nature
Restoring nature, however, comes at a price. The government estimates that the plan will require around US$1.55 billion over the next five years. With a significant funding gap still looming, officials are looking beyond traditional sources.
For the first time, businesses and financial institutions may be required to measure and disclose their impact on nature. The idea is simple: those who benefit from natural resources must also help protect them.
“This is about shared responsibility,” an environmental expert involved in the consultation process explains. “Nature is everyone’s asset, and its loss affects us all—especially the most vulnerable.”
Why It Matters
Nepal’s extraordinary biodiversity—from the lowland jungles of the Tarai to the towering Himalayan peaks—is not just a source of national pride. It is the backbone of the economy, supporting agriculture, tourism, and livelihoods across the country.
Experts estimate that ecosystem services contribute to nearly two-thirds of Nepal’s economy. Yet, these natural systems are under increasing pressure.
Unplanned roads cut through forests. Rivers carry pollution downstream. Climate change brings erratic rainfall and rising temperatures. And in many villages, encounters between humans and wildlife are becoming more frequent—and more dangerous.
A Race Against Time
The new strategy acknowledges these challenges but also warns that progress will depend on stronger coordination, better funding, and genuine commitment at all levels of government.
For now, the Ministry of Forests and Environment is inviting feedback from citizens, experts, and stakeholders. The voices gathered during this consultation could shape the final version of a plan that will guide Nepal’s environmental future for years to come.
Back in the villages, people are watching closely.
“We don’t need big promises,” says a farmer from Bardiya. “We just need our forests, our water, and our land to survive. If this plan can bring that back, it will change everything.”
As Nepal stands at a crossroads, the question is no longer whether nature can recover—but whether the country can act in time to restore what is being lost.
