MoFE, WWF Nepal sign GEF‑8 project implementation agreement on human–tiger interface

KATHMANDU: The Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE) and WWF Nepal signed the Project Implementation Agreement on Monday. The agreement is for the Global Environment Facility‑8 (GEF‑8) funded “Managing Human‑Tiger Interface in Nepal” project and was signed in the presence of Minister of Forests and Environment, Madhav Prasad Chaulagain.

The agreement follows a Financing Agreement signed on January 25, 2026 by Dr Dhani Ram Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, and Dr Ghana Shyam Gurung, Country Representative of WWF Nepal. The five‑year project is valued at $4,498,318 and will be implemented by MoFE with WWF serving as the GEF Agency and partner.

The initiative aims to reduce human–tiger conflict and promote coexistence in key tiger‑bearing national parks and their buffer zones. Project activities will focus on improving habitat management, promoting alternative livelihoods, and strengthening knowledge‑based management through four integrated components designed to support both conservation and community resilience.

“This project reflects a shared vision for coexistence between people and tigers. WWF Nepal is proud to partner with the Ministry of Forests and Environment and the Government of Nepal to address increasing Human Wildlife Conflict,” said Dr Gurung. “Through this initiative, we aim to catalyse community‑led change and build sustainable models of human‑wildlife coexistence that can be scaled and replicated across Asia’s tiger‑range countries.”

Nepal has made notable gains in tiger conservation through people‑centred approaches, habitat management, and efforts to curb poaching and illegal wildlife trade. As human‑wildlife interactions rise with expanding human activities, the new project seeks collaborative and innovative measures to harmonise development with biodiversity protection.

“The signing of this project agreement underscores the Government of Nepal’s commitment to sustainable development. Investing in coexistence not only safeguards biodiversity but also enhances the resilience and well‑being of local communities. We thank the Global Environment Facility, Ministry of Finance and WWF for their continued support and partnership,” said Dr Rajendra KC, Chief of the Planning, Monitoring and Coordination Division at MoFE.