About
Nepal Nature Trust
Patron: HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO
In the UK, Nepal Nature Trust (NNT) (UK charity number 294838) raises funds, offers expert advice and contributes to a number of hand-picked projects. Whilst NNT initially solely supported the work of Nepal’s National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), it now also provides funds for nature conservation projects run by other organisations. Since the early 2000s, much of its work in Nepal has also been carried out alongside the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).
Location
Nepal is a country of amazing extremes. It is the home of legendary mountains of The Himalayas, with eight of the highest fourteen summits in the world including, of course, Sagarmatha (Mount Everest). Far below, there are historic cities and the forested plains where Royal Bengal tigers and the armour-plated greater one-horned rhinoceros dwell.
As a result of extreme variations in altitude and climate, the flora and fauna of Nepal demonstrates a huge range of diversity, with over 6,500 flowering plant, 181 mammal, 862 bird and 640 butterfly species. It is also home to more than 23 million people. Although Nepal occupies only 0.09% of the total land surface of the earth, it has nearly 5% of mammalian species of the world.
As a result of extreme variations in altitude and climate, the flora and fauna of Nepal demonstrates a huge range of diversity, with over 6,500 flowering plant, 181 mammal, 862 bird and 640 butterfly species. It is also home to more than 23 million people. Although Nepal occupies only 0.09% of the total land surface of the earth, it has nearly 5% of mammalian species of the world.
Realities & Challenges
Nepal has been classified by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) as the highest risk zone in Asia in terms of the ecological crisis. Nepal recognized its susceptibility to ecological risks as early as the 1960s, which led to the establishment of NTNC and later Nepal Nature Trust.
Their experience over the years has shown that conservation efforts cannot be successful, much less sustainable, unless the needs and welfare of the local people are also addressed. Holistic and integrated conservation and development programmes aimed at promoting local guardianship and participation have been the focus of our activities.
Their experience over the years has shown that conservation efforts cannot be successful, much less sustainable, unless the needs and welfare of the local people are also addressed. Holistic and integrated conservation and development programmes aimed at promoting local guardianship and participation have been the focus of our activities.