What We Do

When the project was initiated in January 2008, three "Major Working Domains" of the project were identified according to the main expected outcomes of the project. These major working domains were carefully selected to allow for the inclusion of a range of activities at the central and field level. Brief descriptions and the principal area of work of each working domains are elaborated below:

Policy and Planning Framework

Intersectoral coordination

CSUWN supports MFSC in developing mechanisms and procedures to mainstream wetland 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. NWC addresses wetland issues and concerns at the national level and is also supported by a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and a Specialist Network.

CSUWN also employs existing multi-stakeholder committees and networks where possible to promote integrated development. The project aims to develop partnership and enhance capacity at local and national levels to bring long-term changes to the perceptions and values of the local communities to ensure sustainable management of wetlands in Nepal.

Policy Review

Wetland impacting cross-sectoral policies (such as Agriculture, Energy, Local Development and Forest among others) provided recommendations to revise NWP 2003. The NWP 2003 was then revised based on inputs and review recommendations received from the wetland impacting Ministries. NWP 2012 was approved by the Government of Nepal on December 2012.

Institutional Technical Capacity and Awareness

The project aims to generate technical knowledge base related to wetlands and raise awareness at all levels. Good practices and lessons learnt from the project will be captured and up-scaled for the benefit of local communities and the global environment. Technical Knowledge base products (Wetland Indigenous Knowledge, LIP and Economic valuation tool and Monitoring protocol for indicator species among others), containing technical knowledge have been widely used and disseminated at all levels via multiple capacity enhancement trainings and sensitization workshops. Additionally, studies determining the baseline information of the wetland dependent communities of both field sites have also been published and the findings have helped implement targeted livelihood interventions so as to maximize the outcomes of the project.

Collaborative Management for Wetland Resources

CSUWN 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. Equal attention is paid to the women, the poor, the indigenous & the Wetland Dependent Communities to integrate them into mainstream development by increasing their access to resources as well as decision making capacity. This has helped increase the capacity of the local decision-makers and helped, in addition to promoting a more integrated feedback system with CFUGs, empower previously disadvantaged groups. Keeping in mind all of the above, and with a view to promote and enhance collaborative management of wetland resources, Multi-stakeholder forum with representatives from local line agencies, communities and other actors has been established at GLA in 2010. This has helped bring together stakeholders of all levels to a common platform for conservation and wise use of wetland resources.