LIVELIHOOD ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

Nepal’s wildlife is protected only when the benefits of conservation accrue to the poorest segments of our society that depend upon protected areas for their livelihood. Marginalized people who live near protected areas often face dire situation and some seek poaching, illegal wood cutting and timber smuggling as alternate livelihoods.

To stop such illicit activities from spreading, WCN has envisaged projects for communities that are marginalized.

a) WCN will initiate micro credit schemes to empower communities in the buffer zone of national parks b) Involve women groups in conservation and c) Introduce alternative livelihood program to poacher’s families so that the poachers do not return to their traditional job of poaching after completing their sentences in prison.

While supporting the marginalized communities, the project will establish a monitoring unit, involving communities so that wildlife is protected and the poachers can become custodians for protecting wildlife.