A joint agreement was signed between KCAMC and DNPWC

KATHMANDU, Nepal – A joint agreement was signed between Kangchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council (KCAMC) and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) in Kathmandu on 14 December 2006 to facilitate the management process of KCAMC.

The agreement was signed by Mr Shyam Sundar Bajimaya, Director General a.i., Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and Mr Tcheten Dandu Sherpa, Chairperson a.i. of KCAMC. WWF Nepal attended as witnesses to this important agreement.

Late Mr Gopal Rai, Minister of State for Forests and Soil Conservation, handed over a certificate of authority to late Mr. Dawa Tchering Sherpa, Chairperson of the management council, for the management of the conservation area at a ceremony in Taplejung on 22 September 2006. This ceremony was attended by international and national conservationists, government dignitaries, friends and supporters as well as national media. This historic step shows the commitment of the Government of Nepal towards the devolution of power to local communities, especially with regard to natural resources and equitable sharing of benefits.


QUOTES:

“The people of Kangchenjunga are committed to conservation and improving the livelihoods of the people. We hope for continued guidance from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and support from partners like WWF Nepal. The efforts made to make our management council capable since 1998, will bear fruit in the future.”
– Tsheten Dandu Sherpa, Chairperson a.i. KCAMC

“We believe that the people of Kangchenjunga will make a success of managing this conservation area to make it a global example of what communities can do. The department will continue to support the people with wildlife monitoring, technical and legal support. We will also expedite the KCA Management Regulation endorsement process so that the people are fully empowered.”
– Mr Shyam Sundar Bajimaya, Director General a.i., DNPWC

“WWF dreamed of a community-managed conservation area and worked hard to see it come true in Kangchenjunga. We are proud to see this come to fruition today and WWF will continue to aid the council to sustain conservation and livelihood efforts in the next five years.”
- Dr Ghana Shyam Gurung, Director, WWF Nepal


BACKGROUND
The Kangchenjunga Conservation Area falls within the Sacred Himalayan Landscape – Nepal. It is known for its rich biodiversity, spectacular scenery with Mount Kangchenjunga (8,586m), and rich cultural heritage represented by the 5,254 inhabitants living within the four Village Development Committees (VDCs) of Lelep, Olangchung Gola, Tapethok and Yamphudin. In support of WWF’s Living Planet Campaign, it was declared A Gift to the Earth in April 1997. The Kangchenjunga Conservation Area Project was launched on 22 March 1998 to conserve globally threatened wildlife species such as the snow leopard combined with local development activities like the promotion of health services, informal education, and income generating activities.