"To promote, conserve and manage nature in all its diversity balancing human needs with the environment on a sustainable basis for posterity - ensuring maximum community participation with due cognizance of the linkages between economics, environment and ethics through a process in which people are both the principal actors and beneficiaries."
BCP (Bardia Conservation Program)
Project Update
Natural Resource Conservation Programme
Forest Nursery Management
Two forest nurseries located at Thakurdwara 5, Betani and Pasupatinagar 5, Banjaria are in operation. The nurseries are planning to produce about 40,000 seedlings of multipurpose tree species during this fiscal year. The produced seedling will be distributed in gratis for local community plantation. Seed collection, seed bed preparation and soil collection has been completed. Community Forest Operation Plan Preparation
BCP extends technical assistance to the Community Forest Users Groups (CFUGs) in preparation of Bidhan and operation plans. Bindrapuri and Bhudkaiya Community Forests are already handed over to CFUGs. Forest Operation Plan of Janaknagar Community Forest is finalized and submitted to Chief Warden for approval. Forest boundary survey and inventory of Naulobas, Geruwa and Samjhana community forests have been completed. These six forests cover an area of 607 hectares and provide services to 1,274 households of Thakurdwara and Gola-Manau areas.
Alternative Energy Programme
Training on Biogas Management
Training on biogas plant handling was organised at Thakurdwara for the biogas users in collaboration with Nepal Rastriya Biogas Company. A total of 32 biogas users participated in the training. Trainees were made aware of slurry management, common problems in handling and on precautionary measures while using the biogas. Biogas Plant Installation
Support was extended to install 20 biogas plants and toilets in different VDCs of the Project area. Out of 20 plants, 16 plants are being installed at Gola-Manau area and 4 at Thakurdwara. The project extended supports for the cost of bricks and toilet sets.
Sustainable Community Development
School Support
GI sheet was provided to Janajyoti Higher Secondary School of Bakuwa for roofing two-roomed building of class 7 and 8. BCP also extended support for 40 sets of new benches and desks This school currently has 1,400 students. Village Road Gravelling
Financial support was extended to Betani User Group of Thakurdwara-5 for mud filling and gravelling of 2.2 km village road. The UG's mobilised local people while gravelling the road. A total of 121 households of Betani including 10 tourist hotels will benefit from the improved road. Also farmers can send their farm products more conveniently even during the monsoon season.
Conservation Awareness Programme
Conservation Education BCP organised conservation education classes at Khairapur Higher Secondary School, Banglamukhi Higher Secondary School and Janajyoti Higher Secondary School for school children. During the class, BCP’s resource person focused on the need of environmental conservation and the role to be played by each citizen in conservation of nature and natural resources. A total of 225 students of higher secondary level and teachers participated in the programme. Stipend Distribution
BCP has been providing stipends to the marginalized Dalits and Janajati students to continue their schooling and higher level studies. A total of nine students from the project area were awarded stipend. Recipients were selected from the school and campus in accordance to the criteria provided by BCP. The stipend was distributed to the students during a meeting in Thakurdwara.
Micro-Enterprises/ Capacity Enhancement
for Women
Off-Season Vegetable Farming
BCP supports local farmers for commercial vegetable farming. Five-member vegetable farming groups of Thakurdwara and Suryapatuwa have initiated off-season vegetable farming through BCP's assistance. The farmers will work as a source of motivation to the neighbouring farmers encouraging them in off-season vegetables and sustaining their livelihood through its income. Seeds of radish, cauliflower, carrot, cabbage and tomato were provided to these farmers by BCP.
Potato Farming
Potato Farming Training
BCP is trying to make Thakurdwara and Suryapatuwa VDCs as one of the potato producing pocket areas. BCP conducted three-days training on improved potato farming to 28 farmers, in Thakurdwara from 29th – 31st October 2005. Resource person for the training came from District Agriculture Development Office, Guleriya. During the training, the farmers were provided both theoretical and practical know-how on potato farming and pest management. Potato Seed Transportation
Summer heat impedes farmers for safe storage of potato seeds in their homes. Cold storage facilities in the project area are not available. Moreover, it is very expensive to purchase potato seeds in planting season (5 Rupees per kg. in harvesting season vs. 22 Rupees in planting season) and the quality cannot be guaranteed. In order to provide quality seed at a relatively cheaper price, BCP supported transportation of 606 quintals of potatoes from Kanchanpur to Thakurdwara cold storage plant. Tailoring Center Establishment
Dalits and Janajati women who had successfully completed six months sewing and tailoring training, established group sewing and tailoring centers. BCP provided machines, accessories and small grants as seed money to operate the centers. The operators have prepared management guidelines of individual center.
Similarly, sewing machines and accessories were provided to Ms. Durga Pariyar and Ms. Amrita Nepali of Thakurdwara 9 to run traditional tailoring shop. The women who have received training and have started their own tailoring shops have claimed that they earn good income from the new business. University Student Supports
BCP provided financial and technical support to Mr. Suman Sharma, B.Sc. final year student of Institute of Forest, Pokhara, to carry out field research on Impact of Insurgency on Wildlife Conservation: A Case Study from Royal Bardia National Park, Nepal.
