|
Kavrepalanchok District is experiencing a rapidly increasing humanâ₀"wildlife conflict, particularly involving monkeys and wild boars that frequently raid agricultural land, destroy crops, damage food storage areas, and threaten the livelihoods of rural farming communities. Smallholder farmers, especially women, elderly residents, and marginalized households, are facing severe economic losses and food insecurity due to repeated wildlife intrusion. In many communities, children are also forced to spend time guarding fields instead of attending school regularly. Community consultations, farmer meetings, and discussions with local municipalities and forest user groups identified humanâ₀"wildlife conflict as one of the most urgent rural livelihood and environmental challenges in the district.
This project will address these needs through peaceful, ecologically sound, and community-based mitigation measures designed to reduce crop damage while promoting coexistence between people and wildlife. The project will install wildlife-friendly solar fencing in high-conflict agricultural zones and establish natural bio-fencing using bamboo, lemongrass, chili, thorny plants, and other species that naturally deter monkeys and wild boars. Additional interventions will include low-cost monkey deterrent systems, habitat restoration through plantation of native fruit and forest trees, community awareness programs, improved food and waste management practices, and promotion of alternative crops that are less attractive to wildlife. Women-led community wildlife management committees will be formed to support monitoring, maintenance, awareness activities, and long-term sustainability.
The project is expected to directly benefit approximately 800â₀"1,200 farming households (4,500â₀"6,000 individuals) and indirectly benefit more than 10,000 community members through improved food security, reduced economic losses, and strengthened environmental conservation practices. The project will be implemented over a 24-month period. The first six months will focus on detailed assessments, community mobilization, technical planning, and procurement. Installation of fencing systems, bio-fencing plantation, and community training activities will take place during months 6â₀"18. Habitat restoration, monitoring, evaluation, and sustainability planning will continue throughout the final phase of the project.
Project funds will primarily be used for installation of solar-powered wildlife-friendly fencing, purchase of fencing materials and deterrent systems, native tree plantation, bio-fencing materials, community awareness programs, technical training, monitoring activities, and project management. Rotary club members will play an active role in project planning, community engagement, monitoring visits, financial oversight, awareness campaigns, donor coordination, and reporting. Club members will also participate in plantation activities, field supervision, evaluation meetings, and promotion of long-term sustainability through partnerships with municipalities, community forest user groups, and local stakeholders.
|