National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF) and Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), with support from UNDP, organized a workshop titled "Interaction with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC), Women and Youth, and Persons with Disabilities for Soliciting Inputs on the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)."
2025-01-05
On 5th January, the National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF) and the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), with the support of UNDP, organized a significant workshop titled "Interaction with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC), Women and Youth, and Persons with Disabilities for Soliciting Inputs on the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)." The event, chaired by the Chairperson of NIWF, Ms. Suni Lama, aimed to provide a much-needed inclusive platform for gathering valuable inputs and recommendations for the ongoing revision of Nepal’s NBSAP. The workshop was designed to engage a broad spectrum of voices, especially from those who are often underrepresented in biodiversity policymaking, ensuring that the perspectives of Indigenous peoples, local communities, women, youth, and persons with disabilities were considered in shaping the country’s biodiversity future.
The workshop kicked off with insightful presentations from three distinguished experts who provided in-depth information on the NBSAP revision process and the significant role of Indigenous knowledge and community-based approaches in biodiversity conservation. Dr. K.C. Paudel, the Team Leader for the NBSAP revision, gave an overview of the objectives and progress made in the revision process. His presentation focused on how the NBSAP is being revised to meet current global biodiversity challenges and align with international frameworks. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that the revised NBSAP is inclusive, participatory, and reflective of Nepal's diverse communities. Following Dr. Paudel’s remarks, Mr. Kamal Sampang, an expert on issues affecting Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC), presented the integral role that IPLCs play in biodiversity management. He highlighted the wealth of traditional ecological knowledge these communities possess, which has been passed down through generations and remains critical to biodiversity conservation. Mr. Sampang also discussed the unique challenges faced by IPLCs, including threats to their land, culture, and traditional practices due to external pressures such as climate change, urbanization, and policies that fail to incorporate their rights and knowledge.
Next, Mr. Sankhar Limbu, the Vice-Chair of LAHURNIP, provided a detailed analysis of the legal and policy dimensions of recognizing Indigenous rights in biodiversity management. He emphasized the necessity of integrating Indigenous knowledge systems into national and international biodiversity frameworks. Mr. Limbu discussed the ongoing gaps in policy and the need for stronger legal frameworks that respect and protect the rights of Indigenous peoples and local communities in the context of biodiversity conservation. He also explored the intersections between environmental justice, Indigenous rights, and sustainable development.
Following the presentations, participants were divided into three groups: Women, Youth, and Local Communities, to conduct focused group discussions. Each group explored key areas: enhancing community involvement in biodiversity management, identifying challenges and constraints faced by IPLCs in conservation efforts, and assessing the extent to which policies and practices recognize and incorporate Indigenous knowledge. The workshop successfully facilitated meaningful dialogue among diverse stakeholders, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities. It aimed to ensure that the revised NBSAP reflects the unique needs, experiences, and contributions of Indigenous communities and other marginalized groups in Nepal. The outcomes of this interaction will play a vital role in creating a more inclusive and effective biodiversity strategy. The closing remarks for the program was given by Mr. Ram Krishna Blon of NEFIN.
