Nepal hosts some of the most spectacular natural areas and biodiversity in the World. Nepal has eight of the highest peaks in the World including Mt. Everest, 75 categories of vegetation, and 35 types of forest. As we all know a significant portion of Nepal’s economy comes from climate-sensitive industries such as agriculture, forestry, and eco-tourism.
According to the Report by “2012 Climate Change Risk Atlas” Nepal ranked 13th in the world in terms of the Climate change vulnerability. Nepal is now a focus country for the U.S. Global climate (FCC) initiative. By analyzing this issue, USAID is collaborating with Nepal Government to strengthen the ability of local communities to take ownership of their resources and manage them according to international standards. USAID is also helping for climate change adaptation (ICCA) project in Nepal. The project is five-years long with support of $2 million US dollars to adapt to the adverse impact of climate change. This project will benefit over 20,000 small-hold farmer families through the sustainable use of management of non-timber forest products, vegetables and essential oils benefiting over 100,000 people. Some of the expected key results of the projects are reaching over 19,000 households with training and materials support, helping farmers produce 23.5 tons of essential oil and 3,597 tons of vegetables, promote 8 micro-shed recharge ponds with nearly 3,479 micro irrigation technologies and last but not least established and supported 12 community climate resource centers that will benefit the local peoples of the rural parts of Nepal.
