Stating that climate change has adversely affected the biodiversity of Churia region, experts recommended formulation of extensive program for conservation of this region.


The interaction program on Climate Change, Chure Conservation and Livelihood organized by Women in Environment (WE), Leaders Nepal and Women in Good Governance (WIGG) saw experts stressing the need of an integrated program seeking intergovernmental agency coordination for the conservation of Churia region.


In the program, conservationist Dr. Prem Poudel indicated that the Churia region comprises about 76 percent of total forest in Nepal, but is vulnerable to encroachment, deforestation and illegal extraction of non-timber forest products.


Conservationist Dr. Binod Bhatta highlighted the importance of Churia region in terms of biological as well as cultural diversity and mentioned that there have been some programs for conservation of this region but they have suffered from lack of coordination and repetition while unscientific land management and overexploitation of resources to meet livelihood needs have increased the threat to the Churia region.


Vice Chairman of National Planning Commission (NPC) and Chief Guest of the program Dr. Dinesh Chandra Devkota (who has now resigned) remarked that the Churia region can be regarded as the backbone of the nation and stated that the recommendations from the interaction program would be invaluable policy input for the NPC.


The program was chaired by Secretary of Ministry of Environment Krishna Gyawali. At the program, Dr. Santosh Nepal and CA member Ang Dawa Sherpa gave their comments and feedback on the thematic papers presented by Dr. Prem Poudel and Dr. Binod Bhatta.


Chairperson of Leaders Nepal Professor Dr. Binod Shrestha highlighted the objectives of the program. Likewise, chairperson of Women in Environment Kamala Dhungel along with other non-governmental conservation experts, senior government officials discussed the issues of climate change, conservation of Churia region and livelihood.