Local knowledge in WWF Nepal project

WWF Finland co-operates with WWF Nepal in a local biogas project.

 The Terai Arc Landscape in Nepal is home to about 7 million people. With a dense population, high biodiversity and fragile ecosystems, deforestation is a major issue facing the region. Research indicates that a biogas unit can save nearly 4.5 tons of firewood, and reduces the emission of 4.06 metric tons of CO2 equivalent annually.

The first phase of the project which ended in 2011 helped install 7,500 biogas plants generating upfront revenue of USD one million from the sale of carbon credits through MyClimate – trading at 13.5 Euro per ton of CO2 equivalent. Such incomes have been channeled back to the local communities to install additional biogas plants for new households through micro-credit.

A total of 20,000 biogas plants will be installed during the sedond phase over a period of eight years ending 2020 and covering nine districts, including 81 Village Development Committees and three municipalities. The project brings multiple benefits on the social, environmental and economic fronts:

• Project reduces deforestation.
• Biogas production generates no smoke in the household.
• Local women do not have to make long trips to collect wood in the forest. Spare time can be used for the children - e.g. looking after them when they go to school - as well as for more remunerating activities.
• All the money earned through sales of carbon credits goes to the development of local community.

This project shows concretely how local knowledge can benefit in the project planning and execution. "The biogas project is a perfect example of building harmony between humans and nature, where a simple conservation idea is helping provide sustainable benefits to both", stated Mr. Anil Manandhar, Country Representative of WWF Nepal.