Rupantaran Nepal has partnered with DAI Global Ltd. to implement the USAID Biodiversity (Jal Jangal) project, which aims to mitigate multiple threats to ecosystems and wildlife species in order to conserve nature, enhance human well-being, and safeguard the future. This five-year project, initiated in November 2022, operates within four conservation landscapes of Nepal: Chitwan Annapurna Conservation Landscape, Terai Arc Landscape, Proposed Karnali Conservation Landscape, and Kailash Secrete Conservation Landscape. Aligned with three mutually reinforcing objectives, the USAID Biodiversity (Jal Jangal) project implements programs to:
- Improve the health of ecosystems (Objective 1)
- Strengthen environmental crime control and natural resource safeguards (Objective 2)
- Enhance the climate resilience of natural and human ecosystems (Objective 3)
Rupantaran Nepal’s role primarily focuses on providing technical assistance to deliver planned activities under Objective 3 while also supporting the achievement of expected results and targets for Objectives 1 and 2. Key responsibilities of Rupantaran Nepal include:
- Supporting national-level climate change planning and implementation.
- Developing workshop content on national climate change adaptation priorities and facilitating municipal roll-out.
- Assisting local governments in reviewing or conducting climate vulnerability and risk assessments (VRAs).
- Integrating climate change considerations into plans, budgets, and activities at the community, municipal, and provincial levels.
- Facilitating municipal and provincial earmarking/commitment of funds for climate change adaptation.
- Supporting the implementation of community-led climate adaptation/resilience initiatives, such as climate-smart villages and climate field schools.
- Providing guidance on engaging the private sector to increase finance for adaptation, including the development of a Private Sector Engagement (PSE) Action Plan.
- Convening Climate Resilient Business Roundtables and facilitating Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
- Advising grantees and subcontractors implementing climate resilience activities through the USAID Biodiversity Action Fund.
