changeadminIndia’s Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nepal’s Ministry of Forests and Environment to promote bilateral cooperation in forests, wildlife, environment, biodiversity conservation, and climate change.
The agreement also includes the restoration of wildlife corridors and interlinking areas, as well as the exchange of knowledge, technical expertise, and best practices.
The signing ceremony took place in New Delhi, in the presence of Mr Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, and Mr Madhav Prasad Chaulagain, Cabinet Minister for Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal.
India and Nepal are endowed with rich biodiversity and natural heritage and have established extensive networks of Protected Areas in their respective territories.
The Himalayas, a massive mountain range formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, stretch across India and Nepal and are home to the world’s highest peaks, including the third-highest, Kangchenjunga, which lies directly on the border.
The range is a critical, snow-covered, and culturally rich boundary, featuring glaciers and deep gorges that divide the two countries.
The region is a biodiversity hotspot, hosting immense ecological diversity across tropical to alpine zones, including iconic fauna like snow leopards, red pandas, and Himalayan monals.
Both neighbouring countries are also Parties to several multilateral environmental agreements and conventions.
In view of the shared ecosystems and transboundary wildlife habitats, a need was felt to further strengthen coordination and cooperation between the two Governments in the fields of forests, wildlife, environment, biodiversity conservation and climate change.
The MoU envisages cooperation in the formulation of biodiversity conservation strategies at the landscape level, with emphasis on key species such as elephants, Gangetic dolphins, rhinoceroses, snow leopards, tigers, and vultures.
It also provides for strengthened forest and protected area management, and for the restoration of corridors and other interlinking areas towards the creation of transboundary conservation landscapes.
Additionally, addressing biodiversity conservation threats, combating forest and wildlife crime, strengthening the capacity of frontline enforcement agency staff, and promoting smart green infrastructure in biodiversity hotspots are part of the agreement.
The signing of this MoU is expected to further deepen cooperation between India and Nepal in the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity, and contribute to the protection of shared ecosystems and the sustainable management of natural resources in the region.
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