Major Working Domain

The major working domains have been identified according to the main expected outcomes of the project. These are listed below:

Policy and Planning Framework

Intersectoral coordination -The project supports MFSC to develop mechanism and procedures for mainstreaming wetlands issues in policy and planning at both national and local levels. A National Wetland Committee (NWC) has already been formed as an apex body responsible for inter-sectoral coordination to address wetland issues and concerns at the national level. The NWC is also supported by a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and a Specialist Network. The project also employs existing multi-stakeholder committees and networks where possible to promote integrated development. CSUWN aims to develop partnership and enhance capacity at local and national levels to bring long-term changes to the perceptions, values to ensure sustainable management of wetlands in Nepal.

Policy Review - Wetland impacting cross-sectoral policies (including but not limited to Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Energy, Ministry of Local Development and Ministry of Forest) are reviewed in their sectoral niches and integrated so as to provide a more holistic view on the relevant issues. National Wetland Policy (NWP) 2003 has been revised in 2011 based on review recommendations.

Institutional Capacity and Awareness

The project aims to generate technical knowledge base related to wetlands and also raise awareness at all levels. The best practices as well as the lessons learnt from the project will be captured and up-scaled for the benefit of local communities as well as for global environmental benefits. Knowledge Based products (WIK, LIP and Economic valuation tool among others), and information packages (e.g. monitoring protocol for indicator species), containing technical knowledge as well as studies determining the baseline, have been published and the findings are implemented so as to maximize the outcomes of the project.

Collaborative Management for Wetland Resources

The project fosters a strong learning-by-doing culture and adheres to an adaptive management. The project supports community based user groups in developing their institutional capacities and improving socio economic condition through a wide range of conservation and livelihood activities. Management plan for KTWR has been rolled out. To address relevant and pertinent issues of wetland conservation, GLA catchment level management plans has been prepared. Equal attention is paid to the women, the poor, the indigenous & the Wetland Dependent Communities to bring them into mainstream development. This has helped increase the capacity of the local decision-makers and helped empower previously disadvantaged groups, in addition to promoting a more integrated feedback system with CFUGs.