pipeline· Education

Greening Transportation Infrastructure Development in Nepal: Terai Arc Landscape Case

GRID-Nepal is committed to deliver socio-economic benefits in all project outputs by providing equal access to opportunities, resources, and benefits across the project’s activities. It also has a component in community engagement that fosters community ownership, engagement, and creation of income generation opportunities. While the project encourages diversity and inclusive decision making, the direct socio-economic benefits include:i) Strong Community Ownership and empowermentGRID Nepal will not only raise awareness and build capacities on green infrastructure issues but will also engage local communities in active site-level monitoring. This includes tracking solid waste management—both from point and non-point sources—near overpasses, observing wildlife sightings, and reporting incidents of human-wildlife conflict. These will be paid engagements, providing financial support to communities while fostering learning and behavioral change. By doing so, the project aims to empower local people, especially women, youth, and indigenous groups, to take on leadership roles and become custodians of the biodiversity and ecosystems in their area. This dual approach of livelihood support and environmental stewardship helps reinforce sustainable practices while creating inclusive income-generating opportunities.ii) Income generating activities and Improved LivelihoodsThe project will create income generating opportunities for the communities in TAL area, especially for women and youth by engaging oni) Youth leadership for biodiversity and income generation through activities such as engaging as a nature guide and other eco-tourism activities. This will not only empower youth and make them future leaders but help them be an active part of managing forests and grasslands in the area.ii) Provide technical and financial assistance to community forest users’ groups to engage local communities including women and youth to engage in activities that support biodiversity, for example ecotourism, especially around Barandabar corridor. This will give communities a chance to use local knowledge to look at the environmental problems, and propose solutions that will benefit the communities, including youth, women and indigenous people financially while reducing the pressures on and increasing biodiversity and environmental benefits. The livelihood activities can also show how nature-based solutions can provide income-generating activities, diversify income sources, and improve working conditions for marginalized groups.iii) Promoting safety and well-being of the communitiesLocal park wardens, staff, rangers, and community members are often on the frontlines when dealing with safety hazards such as forest fires and human-wildlife conflicts. Recognizing their critical role, GRID Nepal is supporting these frontline actors through the provision of essential equipment for fire management, integrated within the broader habitat management plan. In addition, the project will implement targeted initiatives to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, including the installation of solar-powered electric fencing to protect vulnerable areas and communities from wildlife incursions. These interventions not only enhance the safety and resilience of both people and ecosystems but also reflect the project’s commitment to inclusive and community-driven conservation, improving Participation in Decision Making Grid Nepal will ensure the meaningful participation of both sexes and all ethnicities in understanding the policies and organizational rules to ensure equitable access and benefits from natural resources. The project promotes equal participation of women and men and indigenous people in the planning and decision-making process at the national and local levels. Forums can serve as venues to convey issues and concerns of community forest users’ groups concerning human-wildlife conflict, fire control management, lack of diverse sources of livelihood, and lack of land tenure security. As a result, community based forest users’ groups can influence policy decisions and implementation strategies.iv) Improving Participation in Decision Making Grid Nepal will ensure the meaningful participation of both sexes and all ethnicities in understanding the policies and organizational rules to ensure equitable access and benefits from natural resources. The project promotes equal participation of women and men and indigenous people in the planning and decision-making process at the national and local levels. Forums can serve as venues to convey issues and concerns of community forest users’ groups concerning human-wildlife conflict, fire control management, lack of diverse sources of livelihood, and lack of land tenure security. As a result, community based forest users’ groups can influence policy decisions and implementation strategies.