Restoring Native Forests in Nepal
Nepal is one of the least developed countries in the world with many communities depending on the natural environment for food, shelter, and income. Today, less than 30% of its original forests remain due to over-harvesting, forest fires, and agriculture. The effects of this degradation are devastating for the local communities and wildlife.
Eden Reforestation Projects is a nonprofit NGO that works in developing countries to rebuild natural landscapes destroyed by deforestation. Eden works directly with communities experiencing extreme poverty resulting from the deforestation and destruction of the land that sustains them.
Top facts
- 275,000 native species of tree planted
- Native tree species planted may include: Acacia catechu, Cinnamomum camphora, and Garcinia mangostana
- Planting c.55k per month
How we started
In 2014, our reforestation campaign began helping improve local livelihoods and restoring forests in Nepal. In partnership with Chitwan National Park, and through local leadership and Nepalese employees’ support, we planted close to 400,000 seedlings in the first year. Since then, we have grown our work in Nepal to sites spread across geographic landscapes. Our sites are located around community forests from the mountainous Nawalparasi District to the lowland alluvial plains in the Terai Region and around the subtropical and tropical rainforests in Chitwan National Park to develop a thriving ecosystem.
Where we're working
Mountains - Nawalparasi
- Located in the Western region of Nepal in the Himalayan Mountains
- Challenging terrain with a highly active tectonic region that is unstable in deforested areas
- New trees provide great benefits in anchoring the soil and protecting the communities from environmental disasters
Grasslands - Jhapa
- Located along the Southeastern tip of Nepal, bordering India
- Characterized by flat grasslands and dense forest
- We work with local people and community leaders to restore previously forested land in the region
National park - Chitwan National Park
- Located in South Central Nepal
- The Chitwan Valley is characterized by its tropical and subtropical forests
- Established in 1973, Chitwan, which means "Heart of the Jungle," was the first national park in Nepal
Our progress to date
At our initial sites, we are seeing forests reemerging and natural regeneration taking place. We have also expanded to 21 project sites, and we are continuing to explore new regions in critical need of restoration. Through this work, hundreds of women and men are provided with consistent employment, giving them the opportunity for economic self-sufficiency.
Details
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