Stating that integrated efforts are necessary for conserving the area, a meeting of the countries held in Sikkim has also developed a roadmap for carrying the work in a collaborative manner. [break]
"The challenges of biodiversity conservation and management in the landscape can only be addressed if all three countries cooperate at various levels from local to bilateral to regional," said Bhim Prasad Dhungel, Minister of Tourism, Forests, Environment, and Wildlife Management , Government of Sikkim, India.
Kanchenjunga landscape is unique, culturally and biologically rich landscape around Mount Kanchenjungha that covers parts of western Bhutan, northeastern India, and eastern Nepal.
During the consultation meeting organized in Sikkim jointly by the International Center for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and GB Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development (GBPIHED) in India, the experts and government officials emphasized the need for joint cooperation to protect the landscape.
At present, the transboundary initiative is under preparation and includes a feasibility assessment report, a conservation strategy and an environmental plan, adding up to a framework for transboundary cooperation.
There are 15 protected areas in the Kanchenjunga landscape. The countries have agreed to work toward connecting these areas through ´biodiversity corridors´ for species migration to assist adaptation to climate change; and to address problems that cross borders such as poaching, overgrazing, forest fire, and spread of livestock diseases. Krishna Acharya, the director general of the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation, Nepal, said the landscape programme must also jointly address wildlife-people conflict issues.
The joint biodiversity conservation effort will focus on the people living in the landscape. "People in the mountains have to be compensated for their conservation efforts", said Sherub Gyaltshen, secretary at the Bhutanese Ministry of Agriculture and Forests.
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