Baseline survey for Pilot Program completed

Hangetham : the historic area for biodiveristy and religeious ponds (Left)

The Kal Pokhari of Hangetham which is being dried (Right)









As a part of project activities (SCBS/CEPF), baseline survey of Hangetham forest of Jamuna VDC (the religeous forest area) was completed in the beginning of November, 2007. The survey has been conducted to carry out the potential project activities as pilot activities for biodiversity conservation through religious point of view. The project activiities will include restoration of traditional ponds, conservation of key floral and faunal species which are threatened, intorduction of eco friendly livelihood activities, and institutinal strengthening 0f local communiites for biodiversity conservation in Hangetham area. NOw, the survey report is compiling. Mr. Rajeshwor Rijal Field Facilitator of ICC for the area has been visited the area for a week to explore the key information about the area.

For more details:

Bishnu Prasad Kafle

Project Manager

Ilam Cooperation Council (ICC), Ilam

iccilam.biodiversity@gmail.com

Resource Inventory Training in Maimajhuwa

Three days Resource Inventory and BIodiversity Monitoring training in Maimajhuwa VDC was organized in the month of October under CEPF preoject SCBS. 17 participants were participated the workshop from 4 CFUGs. Altogether, 12 sessions including 8 theory and 4 practical were delivered. Bishnu Kafle, project manager and Bhim Ekten, Field Facilitator facilited the training.

Field Session of Training

AWARENESS WORKSHOP FOR LIVESTOCK HERDERS

Two awareness rising workshop for livestock herders in two key sites of Jogmai and Maimajhuwa on grazing land management and biodiversity conservation were organized as a part of activiites of CEPF funded project SCBS in the month of October and November. In the workshop, the present situation of livestock herds, their distribution, impact on biodiversity, probems and challentges, grazing land manangment measures and strategies as well ans alternative actin to be taken to conserve biodiversity in the area. ABout 60 livestock herders and CF users were participated. InMaimajhuwa, the program was jointly organized with Shandakpur Livestock herders group. Ram Rimal, Keshav Thapa, Rajeshwor Rijal, and Lal Bahadur of DLSO facilitated the workshop. In the beginning of 2008, grazing management plan will be prepared in these areas.

For more details

Bishnu Prasad Kafle

Project Mananger

Ilam Cooperation Council (ICC), Ilam

iccilam.biodiversity@gmail.com

Field Facilitator Newly Appointed

Mr. Bhim Bahadur Ekten, 24 of Siddhithumka-6, Ilam has been appointed as field facilitator of implementing project 'Strenghtening civil society for biodiversity conservation support project (SCBS)/CEPF from 15 september, 2007 for 1.5 years. He has passed certificate level in science and his study of bachelor is going on. Previously, he had worked as volunteer in various organizations of Ilam in social mobilization sector. He has been replaced the previus facilitator Mr. Prem Gurung of Mabu, as he resigned from the position. Congratulations and wish him all the best.

Orientation and annual workplan of ECO CLUB in Jogmai

One day orientation on role of students through ECO CLUB (Biodiversity COnservation Committee) and preparation of annual workplan has been completed in Gyanodaya Secondary School of Jogmai Village Development Committee (VDC). The members of Gyanodaya ECO CLUB and some other students of the school were participated in the program.

Mr. Bishnu Prasad Kafle and focal teacher Punya Prasad Khatiwada oriented the members of Ecoclub on biodiversity conservation, its value and need, role of students, working areas of Eco Club and work plan preparation.

The program prepared annual workplan for Gyanodaya ECO CLUB incorporating various biodiversity and environment related issues like painting competitin, eassay compettion, wall magezine (montly) publication, plantation, sanitation, general knowledge competition etc on varius occasion thorugh out the year.

The program was chaired by the vice chair of the ecoclub. Mr. Kafle made his commitment to support in biodiversity related programs of Eco club by the project.

Training on Inventory and monitoring of Biodiversity Resources in Jogmai

Field sessions for Resource Inventory (Left) and Theory sessions (Right)

Source: Bishnu Prasad Kafle/ICC

ICC Ilam organized three days 'Resource Inventory and Biodiversity Monitoring in Community Forests of Jogmai VDC, Ilam from 23-25 August, 2007 to orient community forests users in resource inventory, forest operation plan preparation, incorporation of biodiversity conservation issues and monitoring of key species at field level. 12 participants from 3 community forests of Jogmai VDC were successfully participated the training. 8 theory and 4 practical field sessions were included in the training. Mr. Bishnu Prasad Kafle, Project Manager of ICC, Ilam, Mr. Rajendra Yadav, Ranger, District FOrest Office, Ilam and Mr. Rajeshwor Rijal, field facilitator of ICC for the area facilitated the training workshop. The program was organized in financial support from Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) as a part of project activiities entitled " strengthening Civil Society For Biodiversity COnservation Suppport Project of Ilam Coopearation Council (ICC), Ilam.

Workshop on Resource Inventory and biodiversity monitoring in community forests

Two training workshops on Resource Inventory preparation and biodiversity monitoring in community forests were organized to orient community forests users in resource inventory preparation and biodiversity monitoring in Jamuna and Mabu VDCs by Ilam Cooperation Council (ICC), Ilam with support from Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (FUND) from 12-14 August, 2007. This was a part of activity of ongoing project Strengthening Ciivl Society for Biodiversity Conservation Support Project/ICC/CEPF.

31 Participants from 3 community forests (2 from Jamuna and 1 from Mabu) were participated in the training workshop. 8 theoretical and 4 field practical sessions were included in the program. Bishnu Prasad Kafle, Project Manager, Ram Rimal, Team leader, Devendra Upreti, Ranger of District Forests office, Ilam, Yadav Ghimire, Program officer of BCN (as independent resource person, and Rajeswor Rijal Field facilitator of ICC facilitated the workshop in both trainings.

The participants of workshop will work as local level resource person cum local guide during inventory preparation of particular community forests, which will be initiated by next month.

Coordination Meeting Among Grantees

For Coordination meeting among grantees of CEPF, Ilam Cooperation Council (ICC), NCDC, ECCA and BCN met on 8th August, 2007 in Ilam. The meeting discused about the district level biodiversity committee, District advisosry committee, coordination among district level stakeholders, schedule of upcoming field monitoring from CEPF and heavy fluctuation (decline) of dollar exchange. The participants put their opinion individually. Mr. Ram Rimal, Team leader of ICC, Kamal Raj Rai, Project cordnator of NCDC, Santya Narayan Tiwari from ECCA and Yadav Ghimire from BCN participated the meeting. THe meeting was conducted in seminar hall of NCDC, Ilam.

Project Manger Participate Darjeeling Workshop

Bishnu Kafle, Project Manger of Ilam Cooperation Council (ICC) particiapted 4 days workshop on Proposal writing and fund Raising Workshop for Civil Society Organization from 28 june to 1 July, 2007. The workshop was jointly organized by International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD),Kathmandu and Ashoka Trust for Research in Environment and Ecology (ATREE), Kaliongpong, India. Mr. Suman Rai of ATREE, Nakul Chetri of ICIMOD, Monnattee from ICIMOD had facilitated the workshop. The workshop was focused tobuild practical and competitive knowledge and skills for proposal writing and fundrasing for thier organizations. Altogether, 26 Participants from Nepal and India were participated the program.

After Completing the workshop, Mr. Kafle visited the Rampuria village nearing to Sinchel Wildlife Sanctuary of Darjeeling. He keenly obsered the development of ecotourism and agroforestry in the area.

Workshop in Illegal Trafficking of BIodiversity Resources in Jaubari

One day workshop on Illegal Trafficking of Biodiversity Resource in Tranboundary area of Ilam' was organized by Ilam Cooperation Council (ICC), Ilam in Jaubari in 30th June, 2007. The workshop had included the discussion on present situation of illegal trafficking of biodiversity resources, present laws of regulations, international treaties, and resolution measures. One monitoring committee to minimize illegal trafficking in the area has been formed at the end of the workshop.

Dr, Nrishima Kumar Khatri, Project Advisor and chiar of ICC, Ram Rimal, District Coordinator of ICC, Krishna Osti, Ast, District Forest Officer, Ilam and Rajeshwor Rijal of ICC had facilitated the workshop. SOnam Lama and some other local participants were put their opinion during the workshop.

ECO CLUB IN SCHOOLS OF ILAM

Strengthening Civil Society for BIodiversity Conservation Support Project (SCBC) implemented by Ilam Cooperation Council (ICC), Ilam with support from Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund(CEPF) has reached to schhools of its project area in Ilam. ECO CLUBs, a student group for biodiversity conservation in their area in four schools (secondary level) of Mabu, Maimjhuwa, Jamuna and Jogmai has been recently formed. Before this, the conservation facilitators of ICC oriented the student and teachers on ECO CLUB, its importance, activities, mobilization and structure. Mean a while, ECO CLUB of Mabu VDC has organized a speech competion on Role of student, youth and children in Biodiversity conservation. ' This program is very effective in the area. THe student are encouraged to participate the conservation movement' said Prem Gurung, facilitaor of Mabu and Maimjhuwa from ICC. Similalry, student are now being mobilized for forest manangement and waste manangement related awareness program. 'Awareness through student and youth is more effective than adults' said Rajeshwor Rijal, Field Facilitator of Jamuna and Jogmai from ICC. "The project will be continue even after the phasing out of the current project. We will caacitate them to be institutional and sustainable' told Bishnu Prasad Kalfe, project Manager of Ilam Cooperation Council (ICC), Ilam.

Ilam Cooperation Council (ICC), Ilam

Ilam Co-operation Council, Ilam
(ICC, Ilam)

Background
Ilam cooperation council (ICC), Ilam is not profit attitude, apolitical non-governmental development organization established in 1991 and registered in District Administration Office (DAO) Kathmandu. It has been affiliated to Social Welfare Council (SWC), and Department of Inland Revenue under Government of Nepal, and Non-Governmental Organization Federation of Nepal. The head office is located in Kathmandu and district chapter is in Ilam.

Since its establishment, ICC is continusely working in Ilam in various field of development. Over the time, ICC has learned various lesions, and experiences, developed expertise and identified the key thematic areas that motivated the institution to develop clearly focused institutional development planning with several changes and perspective.

The 15 years' strategic plan of the institution insights the priority of sustainable development through natural resource management, community development, sustainability of the institution, and building long term collaborative partnership among like minded development actors (government and civil society).

VISION

Maintain the conditions of sustainable development and natural integrity in which people are able to have the benefit of a full range of sovereignty, dignity and prosperity

MISSION

ICC is committed to become capable and commendable institution to achieve its vision through:
@ Institutional strengthening towards the specialization on natural resource management and sustainable development
@ Internal & external resource mobilization for long term collaborative partnership
@ Realizing the dimension & dynamics and empowerment of targeted beneficiaries

GOAL

Promotion of sustainable natural resource management (biodiversity conservation, ecological integrity, safe environment and renewable resources), and sustainable development in the region

SPECIALIZED PROGRAMME PACKAGES

@ Natural Resource, Environment and Agriculture Development Program (NEAD)
@ Sustainable Community Infrastructure and Livelihood Development Program (SLDP)
@ Institutional Capacity, Partnership and Networking Development Program (IPNDP)
@ Research, Documentation, and Publication Program (RDPP)

OBJECTIVES

1. Natural Resource, Environment and Agriculture Development Program (NEAD)
@ Conservation/management of biodiversity (flora, fauna and ecosystem), environment management and renewable resources
@ Provide biodiversity and environment friendly alternative livelihood options (forest based enterprise, ecotourism, conservation garden, regenerative agriculture) to local communities.
@ Conduct sustainable and conservation agriculture, agro-based income generation, enterprise development & market promotion and community forestry programs in targeted area.
@ Increase of access in decision making and benefit sharing over natural resources understanding the opportunities and threats of the wider environment among local people.
@ Promotion of local capacity, indigenous knowledge, skill and technologies in the sustainable use of renewable natural resources.
@ Development of various innovative and competent projects related to sustainable natural resource, agriculture, and environment management for new funding opportunities in the region

2. Sustainable Community Infrastructure and Livelihood Development Program (SLDP)
@ Delivery of basic need services of safe drinking water, community based irrigation, and small scale productive infrastructural projects (community buildings, schools, equipments etc.) in demand-led basis.
@ Capacitate and facilitate targeted communities in participatory planning and resource management model for community development
@ Facilitatation of local community for entrepreneurship, and income generation activities based on local resources and saving-credit/co-operative institutions.
@ Build capacity of targeted communities in transfer, improvements and promotion of appropriate rural technologies.
@ Build awareness and capacity in health & sanitation, access to education and communication of targeted beneficiaries.
@ Build local capacity for the increment claim-making power in sovereign development among the target groups

3. Institutional Capacity, Partnership and Networking Development Program (IPNDP)
@ Strengthen/support and cooperate line agencies, local organizations/CBOs for their institutional capacity building, good governance, planning and effective delivery of civil services.
@ Promote right based advocacy & lobbying in various contemporary development issues, democratic practices, good governance and social inclusion among stakeholders.
@ Enhance capacity of institution, human resources, and institutional infrastructure to achieve its vision, mission, goal, objectives of ICC
@ Establish linkage, coordination, networking and partnership among like minded civil society institutions, stakeholders, development line agencies and professional individuals in various development activities


4. Research, Documentation, and Publication Program (RDPP)
@ Conduct small adoptive action researches in various contemporary issues of community, culture, knowledge and resources management
@ Maintain and update documentation, information and institutional system in hard and electronic form.
@ Publicize the institutional documents, outputs, outcomes, impacts, project information and civic concern in printed (journals, reports, bulletins, calendar, dairies, brochures) and electronic form (website, audio, video etc.)
@ Promotion of institutions' information dissemination among stakeholders and beneficiaries through local and national media (printed and electronic i.e. voice or/and visual)

STRATEGIES

@ Professional capacity building of human resources
@ Priority to meaningful participation of targeted stakeholders
@ Identification, mobilization and management of local and external resources
@ Public-Private Partnership
@ Priority to social inclusion in institutional build up
@ Networking, Linkage and collaborative partnership

NORMS, VALUE & CULTURE

@ ICC does not compensate the ethics of environment, nature conservation and socio-cultural acceptance in its all development program & activities.
@ ICC does not discriminate in the form of sex, language, caste, ethnic groups or economic status.
@ ICC demonstrates practicality, transparency, accountability and democracy in the planning & implementation process.
@ ICC encourages sovereignty of poor, excluded & disadvantaged people and women's participation in all activities and decision-making process.
@ ICC gives priority to participatory planning, implementation, monitoring & evaluation, which are most beneficial to the targeted communities.
@ ICC compulsorily incorporates environmental aspect during its program planning, implementation and monitoring & evaluation.
@ Its vision, mission and objectives in all its endeavors guide ICC

Training on Biodversity monitoring and Assessment

Organization : Ilam Cooperation Council (ICC), Ilam
Project : Strengthening Civil Society for Biodiversity Conservation Support Project
Program Title: Participatory Biodiversity Assessment, Planning, Monitoring, Report Writing and Community Facilitation Skills
Duration : 14-18 July
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Background
Ilam cooperation council (ICC), Ilam has been implementing the project 'Strengthening Civil Society for Biodiversity Conservation Support Project (SCBS) with support from Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) since April 2007 to maintain ecological integrity and security of livelihoods of local communities through capacity building in four VDCs (Maimajhuwa, Mabu, Jamuna & Jogmai) of Kanchenjungha-Singhlila Complex (KSC). Among the outputs of the project, enhancing the institutional capacity of implanting organization is supported by activities of training workshop on participatory biodiversity assessment, planning, monitoring, reporting and documentation as well as community facilitation (social mobilization) skills. Therefore, the training was very important to implementing staffs to increase the capacity for effective implementation of ongoing project.

In the time of consultation with, Namsaling Community Development Centre (NCDC), another CEPF grantee, also interested to organize and participate the program. Thus, training workshop on Participatory biodiversity assessment, planning, monitoring, report writing and community facilitation skills was jointly organized by ICC and NCDC in Ilam from 14 to 18 July, 2007.

Objectives of training workshop
The objectives of training workshop are:
· Increased skills of implementing staffs and key stakeholders in participatory biodiversity assessment in practical way in accordance with the biodiversity conservation
· Understanding the fundamental practical skills and concept of participatory biodiversity conservation planning and strategy formulation
· Understanding the skills and concept of biodiversity monitoring at filed level with one special case of development of monitoring framework for biodiversity in the field
· Understanding the practical skills and ways of reporting and documentation of biodiversity conservation
· Familiarizing the key facilitation skills at community level for biodiversity conservation program

Management of Training Workshop

Subject matters of training workshop
The contents of the training workshop were focused to following aspects:
· Key concepts, issues and efforts of biodiversity conservation with reference to Nepal (Landscape, conservation area, National Parks, protected areas)
· Participatory biodiversity assessment
· Participatory biodiversity conservation planning
· Biodiversity monitoring
· Report writing and documentation of biodiversity activities
· Community facilitation (Social mobilization) skills for biodiversity conservation
There were 26 sessions (of 1.50 Hrs) including theories (19 sessions) and practical/field session (7 sessions). The details of contents have been described in annex-1.

Participants
· Projects staffs of CEPF projects of ICC and NCDC: Altogether, 10 implementing staffs participated the program.
· Members of executive board of ICC and NCDC (2 from ICC and 1from NCDC)
· Rangers/Forestry staffs (District Forest Office): 3 Rangers of project sites
The list of participants has been given in annex-2.

Resource persons
· Resource persons for the training workshop were invited from Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), Kathmandu. Two senior officers of DNPWC (both technical background) facilitated the training workshop
· Besides above, District Forest Officer and Ast. District Forest Officer also facilitated the training workshop
· The list of Resource Persons has been given in annex-3.

Key Activities
· Short inauguration session (chairing, introduction of participants, welcome speech, speech from guest, resource person and sharing objectives). The details of participants in inauguration session have been given in annex-4
· Presentation of training contents, methodology and time management
· Facilitation of contents (theory) followed by short discussion session
· Field visit and practical works of biodiversity assessment, planning and monitoring
· Discussion of findings, problems,, lesson learned and feedbacks on field visit report
· Practical works on report preparation and presentation followed by discussion and feedbacks
· Presentation of successful biodiversity conservation project in reference to buffer zone project
· Rap up (summarizing), acknowledging, sharing future plan followed by vote of thanks and closing of workshop.

Output and Results
· 16 participants were familiar with biodiversity assessment tools, techniques process and preparation of biodiversity inventory. The skills of implementing staffs and key stakeholders in participatory biodiversity assessment in practical way in accordance with the biodiversity conservation increased.
· 16 participants were got understanding the fundamental practical skills and concept of participatory biodiversity conservation planning and strategy formulation in relation to ongoing project. They were also familiar with preparation of forest operation plan incorporating the biodiversity conservation issues and strategies at community forest level.
· 16 participants also understood regarding the skills and concept of biodiversity monitoring at filed level with one special case of development of monitoring framework for biodiversity and field works for biodiversity monitoring of Maipokhari religious forest.
· The participants were got practical skills and ways of reporting and documentation of biodiversity conservation. One practical group work for preparing report had been presented.
· 16 participants were well oriented with key facilitation skills at community level for biodiversity conservation program in reference to on going project.

Future plan and concluding Remarks
· The training workshop was very useful to implementing organizations as well as district forest office (DFO) in the field of biodiversity conservation. This type of training was first time in Ilam district.
· The District Forest Officers were present most of the program duration and keenly observed the activities. They have appreciated the outputs and outcomes of the training workshop. This will be key supporting aspects for effective coordination with government bodies and project activities.
· The practical (field) works for each subject is one of the outstanding aspects of the program.
· As the training workshop is organized to meet the output and activities of on going project, this will enhance the key competency of the implementing staffs transforming the knowledge in to practices.
· The program also concluded to coordinate closely among CEPF grantee and DFO staffs for effective implementation of the ongoing project.