Biodiversity and Climate Change

The tallest mountain, the deepest gorge, fragile landscape, cultural diversities are some distinct superlatives of the Nepal . Altitudinal variation allows Nepal to experience from Tropical to Alpine bio-climate. Hence Nepal support from the large terrestrial rhinos and elephants of the tropics to the snow leopard and Tibetan Argali of alpine region.

On a world scale Nepal lies 27th in the richness scale on floral diversity. With just over 0.1% of the earths land surface occurring in Nepal, it supports globally known 4.2% butterflies (635 spp), 2.2 % of fresh water fish species (185 spp), 1.1 % amphibians (43 spp.), 1.5% reptile (100 spp.), 8.5% of birds (862 spp.) and 4.2% mammals (181 spp).

In Nepal , the average temperature is increasing approximately at the rate of 0.06 0 C per annum and it is responsible to emit for about 0.025% GHG comparing with globe. Though, it is insignificant while comparing to the countries like USA , Australia and Russia . Nepal is most sensitive for its effect because of its vulnerability, fragility and inaccessibility. Climate change is one of the major factors to have negative impact on richest biodiversity of Nepal . Beside this there are many more i.e. habitat fragmentation, weak monitoring of policy, forest fire, pollution, population pressure etc are other major contributor to deplete the biodiversity resources.

Friends of Nature has realized to focus its work in the sector of biodiversity conservation and climate change. Only the effort of single organization can not come up with the issues regarding climate change and biodiversity. FON wishes cooperation of other organization in this field.

The main objectives of the programme are as follows:

•  To prepare data base on endangered species of flora and fauna

•  To prepare training manual on climate change and biodiversity management

•  To establish permanent block of forest for the monitoring of climate change

•  To conduct research on the secret Himalayan landscape as a corridor concept

•  To conduct biodiversity conservation activities to improved the local livelihood

•  To advocate in government and public level for the implementation and monitoring of different policies

For more information, contact
Raju Acharya (Sharma)
Coordinator, Biodiversity and Climate Change

Email: racharya@fonnepal.org