Binod Shrestha

National Trust for Nature Conservation

The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), previously known as the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation was established in 1982 by a Legislative Act as an autonomous, not-for-profit and non-¬government organization, mandated to work in the field of nature conservation in Nepal. For over two decades, the Trust has successfully undertaken over 200 small and large projects on nature conservation, biodiversity as well as cultural heritage protection, ecotourism, and sustainable development. The Trust's experience over the years has shown that conservation efforts in low income economies, such as Nepal, cannot be successful, much less sustainable, unless the needs and welfare of the local people are addressed. Holistic and integrated conservation and development programme with active people's participation aimed at promoting local guardianship, have been the focus of all the Trust activities. Geographically, the Trust's activities have spread from the sub-tropical plains of Chitwan, Bardia and Kanchanpur in the lowlands to the Annapurna and Manaslu regions of the high Himalayas, including the Trans-Himalayan regions of Upper Mustang and Manang. Currently, the projects of the Trust are divided into three geographical areas - the lowlands, the mid-hills (Kathmandu valley) and high mountains. The Trust's activities in the lowlands are based in and around the Chitwan National Park, the Bardia National Park and Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve located in the central, western and far-western development regions of Nepal, through the Biodiversity Conservation Centre (BCC) in Chitwan, the Bardia Conservation Programme (BCP) in Bardia and Suklaphanta Conservation Programme (SCP) in Kanchanpur. Similarly, the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and the Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP) are two major protected areas managed by the Trust in the mountain region. The Central Zoo is the only project of the Trust in Kathmandu Valley.