UNESCO strengthens community led biodiversity monitoring in Kanchenjunga – The Himalayan Times – Nepal’s No.1 English Daily Newspaper

KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 4

A two-day workshop on the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) Project, focused on community engagement for Biodiversity Conservation in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, has concluded in Phungling. The workshop marks the final stage of the eight-month long initiative, which successfully leveraged modern technology and Indigenous knowledge in safeguarding the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA), a vital biodiversity hotspot home to endangered species like the snow leopard and red panda.

The project, implemented by UNESCO in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature Nepal (IUCN) and in collaboration with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council (KCAMC), and Samriddha Pahad, focused on empowering local stakeholders.

A central achievement of the project was the successful integration of modern scientific monitoring tools with the expertise of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). This included the installation of trail cameras and GPS devices in July 2025 to establish a community-led biodiversity monitoring system.

Before the installation, capacity-building workshops were organized in Phungling, providing hands-on training to local communities, including women’s groups, IPLCs, and learners, on how to handle and set up these scientific tools for real-time ecological monitoring. These efforts have been instrumental in identifying biodiversity hotspots and collecting crucial data of the existing species presence and pattern.

“We all have a role to play in protecting our nature, and we must fulfill it. Only by designating the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) as Nepal’s ‘Biosphere Reserve’ can we ensure the sustainable protection of our natural resources. This is possible through collective effort, and we are fully prepared for it,” said Khagendra Phembu Limbu, Chairperson, KCAMC.

The dissemination workshop served as a crucial platform to present the project’s key accomplishments, including the findings from the trail camera monitoring and the assessment against IUCN Green List standards with the engaged stakeholders including local communities who led the conservation since the inception of the initiatives. Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), women’s groups, and school students shared their direct experiences and lessons learned from the field, highlighting the individual and social value of conservation efforts.

A core objective of the workshop was to engage stakeholders like DNPWC and KCAMC in validating the project results and collectively designing a set of practical, stakeholder-driven recommendations. These recommendations will guide future conservation initiatives in KCA and beyond, ensuring the sustainability of efforts in alignment with Nepal’s conservation goals. This work supports the long-term vision of securing international recognition for KCA, such as the IUCN Green List status and potential designation as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

During the workshop, a resource booklet-a practical guide for secondary schools designed to promote biodiversity conservation education in Nepal, aligning with the national curriculum and the UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Program was handed over to KMCA.

“The project reaffirmed biosphere reserves as learning sites for sustainable development and emphasized the role of Indigenous knowledge and youth participation. We hope the guides and brochure can help in this endeouvour,” stated Jaco Du Toit, UNESCO Representative to Nepal.