Back to success stories
14 Aug 2020 | Transboundary Landscapes

Gender and social inclusion in natural resource management

70% Complete

Rural municipalities in far-western Nepal develop action plans integrating GESI in natural resource management

Diversification to reduce risks in large cardamom production

Women are the predominant users and custodians of natural resources. Yet, their voices are rarely sought when plans are prepared to manage these resources. This is also true for other disadvantaged groups, who are seldom included in the planning process.

With Nepal’s new federal structure initiating five-year periodic plans at the local level, there is an opportunity to embed gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) in natural resource management planning. In 2019, we partnered with HIMAWANTINepal to develop GESI-responsive five-year action plans for two rural municipalities in far-western Nepal: Saipal in Bajhang District, and Byas in Darchula District.

Over 57 locally elected officials, rural municipality staff, and community members – out of which 33% were women and 28% belonged to ethnic groups and social minorities – were involved in preparing the action plans. These action plans will guide the development of annual plans and budgets for both rural municipalities, thus ensuring the allocation of funds to support GESI-targeted activities.

Funds are already being channeled for GESI at the grassroots. In 2019, two trainings were organized in Saipal to discuss women’s role in natural resource management, while one consultation meeting was organized in Dhangadhi, Kailali District, to upscale the planning process. A training manual on GESI in natural resource management planning is currently being finalized and for use at provincial and federal levels.

The action plans lend more agency to women and marginalized groups in decision making concerning natural resources. These plans are already being operationalized, with two GESI-targeted activities organized in 2019.

Chapter 3

Gender and social inclusion

2 Dec 2019 RMS
Reviving drying springs

A project in Nepal’s middle hills works to address problems of water scarcity In Tinpiple, a village in Kavre District approximately ...

Solid waste management for sustainability

Making our cities more climate resilient In rapidly urbanizing cities of ...

8 Jul 2021 HKPL
Gendered vulnerabilities in trade

Women traders from four HKH transboundary landscapes face unique challenges that require unique approaches

Springs of hope

Community engagement, proven results in the field, and policy dialogues with government bodies in Bhutan, India, ...

Capacity building in using open-source software

Through trainings organised by our Cryosphere, Climate Services, and Himalayan University Consortium initiatives, we have introduced ...

Replication and upscaling in challenging mountain environments

Solar pump and water-lifting package of technologies solves irrigation problems

Participatory watershed management in eastern Nepal

Based on long-term commitments through a joint action research project we undertook with the Dhankuta Municipality ...

A sustainable model of community-based flood early warning

Local governments in Nepal are coordinating and investing in disaster preparedness