100 days of government: Funds mobilisation for carbon trading to EIA approvals facilitation

Kathmandu, July 3: The Ministry of Agriculture, Forest and Environment has argued it achieved significant progress on the areas of environment protection, forest management, climate finance, carbon trading, wildlife conservation and facilitation in development construction in the first 100 days since the incumbent government assumed office.

The procedures for Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval and the use of land belonging to forest areas have been made further effective to facilitate the implementation of development projects. The 100-day achievements include some amendments to the Forest Act, 2076 through the Ordinance relating to an amendment to some of Nepal Acts- 2083 BS, and draft amendments to the Environment Protection Act, the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, and the relevant regulations.

Carbon trading has been facilitated through the Carbon Registry by approving the Carbon Regulation, while Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD) cells have been established at the Forest Division Offices in Banke, Bara, Rupandehi and Chitwan to effectively mobilize funds achieved from carbon trade for the causes of forest development, management and improvement of community livelihood. Moreover, concerned forest officers and community forest officials have been provided with capacity enhancement trainings.

With a view to making forest management efforts further strengthened, discussions on the draft of guidelines of ‘forest management based on forest protection system’ were held in Madhesh, Gandaki, and Lumbini Provinces.  The guideline aims to increase timber and firewood production through scientific management of forests and achieves self-sufficiency in timber.

Likewise, an action plan for rehabilitation, landslides control, source protection and climate adaptation has been readied for the Phewa Protected Watershed and its implementation is expected to begin from the next fiscal year.

 Another key achievement is in the climate finance mobilisation: a USD 10 million Food Systems Resilience Project, a USD 12 million Nepal-Bangladesh Joint Water Resources and Climate Resilience Project, and a USD 5 million Locally-Led Climate Adaptation Project have been approved by the Climate Adaptation Fund.

In addition to all these, a USD 8.5 million grant has been endorsed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to work in the area of climate resilience in Nepal.

According to the Ministry’s progress report, EIA of ten projects and action plans of five projects under the Infrastructure Development Facilitation have been approved in the given time. Similarly, pursuant to the decision of the Council of Ministers, 275.24 hectares of national forest land have been provided to 26 projects on land tenure. Permission has been granted to clear 30,532 trees and poles.

Two projects relating to commercial wildlife rearing have been endorsed.

For the control of forest fires, 110 fire fighters have been mobilised for four months in 22 districts of Madhesh and Lumbini Provinces and life insurance has been guaranteed for 499 community members and relevant employees. 

In Arghakhanchi, a forest fire ambulance was launched, while a special tractor has been managed in Banke.

Likewise, a 15-mmeber technical committee has been formed to proceed with policy reforms for finding durable solutions to the issue. During the tests of 317 vehicles for air pollutions, 92 were found operating against the standard.

The families affected by 3,173 incidents caused by the human-wildlife conflict have been provided with relief and compensation. During this period, 1.19 million cubic feet of wood have been produced, with the collections of Rs 240 million in revenue.

Significant progress has been made in wildlife conservation and biodiversity. Camera trapping has been concluded under the National Tiger and Prey Species Survey 2026. Over 14,000 saplings have been planted, 36 hectares of grasslands restored, four conservation ponds built. Similarly, 141 wild animals have been rescued along with the construction of 100 predator-proof cages and the mobilisation of a community elephant response team. 

Six community-based units have been formed to act against potential cases of poaching along the Badimalika-Ramroshan area. In addition, the National Determined Contribution (NDC) Implementation Plan has been presented to the Council of Ministers, seeking an approval, and the process is underway to revise the climate change policy.