Success Story Kankrebihar Biodiversity and Culture Conservation Project
Though it is hard to believe that there was once a temple on this hillock of Kankrebihar, in Surkhet district, the excavations there tell a different story. According to archaeologists, a temple stood there sometime in the 12th century. However, many questions like who built it, for what purpose, who destroyed it, etc. still remain unanswered. It is hoped that one day archaeologists may be able to tell us the whole story.
It is not just the remains of the temple here that are unique. The regenerating Sal hardwood forests interspersed with pines shelter a wide variety of wild animals. The ancient cultures buried in these ruins and the rich biodiversity these forests hold underscore the importance of the conservation efforts now underway.
Two years ago the UNDP’s GEF Small Grants Programme provided a grant to Sustainable Development Facility, a district-based NGO which is also a Support Organisation of SCDP, to undertake the Kankrebihar Biodiversity and Culture Conservation Project. The goal is to protect this valuable heritage through community participation.
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| Kanktrebihar Surkhet (1) before
exavation and (2) excavacation in progress |
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There have already been some major breakthroughs. The Department of Archaeology has already excavated 2,026 stone images and their remains which may provide the clues needed to unravel the story of Kankrebihar. This is also a project which shows how stakeholders can work together to achieve a common goal. The Ministry of Population and Environment helped to fence the complex, lay gravel on the road, dig fire lines and build picnic sheds. The District Soil Conservation Office and District Forest Office are also important partners in the project.
The GEF SGP Project facilitated the primary users of Kankrebihar forest to organise into 17 community-based organisations or CBOs and to mobilise resources for conservation and development activities. The CBOs prepare their own plans and decide what activities are needed for their conservation and development projects. The local communities are now protecting 167 hectares of forestlands and have also established a Tharu Cultural Museum. The communities have also already installed improved cooking stoves in 164 households, which means they have realised the need to use firewood more efficiently.
Solar Village
Demonstration Project
UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme supported a local NGO to begin the Solar Village Demonstration Project in Bongadovan VDC of Baglung District. Because of the programme, the traditional tuki has vanished from the village and so have other traditional lighting methods. An estimate suggests the solar electrification project has helped save 16.7 tones of firewood resulting in the reduction of Carbon Dioxide emissions by 5.5 tones each year. The users of electricity generated using the panels knit a woollen bag per month for two years to pay back the loan obtained during installation. The project markets the bags internationally using the Internet and the money generated is used to help electrify more houses. Today all the 105 households using solar electricity are now engaged in income generating activities. On average these families earn US$ 100-125 each per year from the sale of bags alone. The Project has also undertaken programmes to address gender-based segregation widespread in Nepali societies. Today men help women in household works such as fetching water and firewood, and baby care. Many men also help to knit the bags. The traditional tuki has vanished from the village and so have other traditional lighting methods. An estimate suggests the solar electrification project has helped save 16.7 tones of firewood resulting in the reduction of Carbon Dioxide emissions by 5.5 tones each year. |
