Nepal – rethinking conservation strategy in times of conflict

The document outlines the challenges faced by conservation efforts in Nepal due to the Maoist insurgency, noting that conflict has constrained programmes, damaged infrastructure, and threatened staff. It highlights that environmental impacts are often opportunistic or driven by local resource needs resulting from a lack of security. To counter these effects, the briefing recommends that conservation organisations implement contingency planning, ensure transparent operations to maintain legitimacy, and engage local communities in protected area management to contribute to poverty reduction and conflict mitigation.

• The conflict between the Nepali government and Maoist rebels has resulted in over 10,000 deaths and the displacement of between 200,000 and 400,000 people, creating significant obstacles for conservation activities.
• The Maoist insurgency has negatively impacted conservation by threatening staff, damaging infrastructure, and constraining the implementation of programmes.
• Environmental degradation during the conflict is not uniform across Nepal, and the full extent of the damage is likely unknown until the conflict ends.
• Most negative environmental impacts are categorized as opportunistic actions or are driven by a local need for resources, both of which stem from a lack of local security.
• To maintain effectiveness and legitimacy, conservation organisations should use contingency planning, train local people to manage protected areas where traditional security has failed, and align management with poverty reduction goals.

APA

International Institute for Sustainable Development (2004). Nepal – rethinking conservation strategy in times of conflict. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/security_nepal_conservation.pdf

Chicago

International Institute for Sustainable Development. Nepal – rethinking conservation strategy in times of conflict. 2004. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/security_nepal_conservation.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=International Institute for Sustainable Development |title=Nepal – rethinking conservation strategy in times of conflict |date=November 2004 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/security_nepal_conservation.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{internationalinstituteforsustainabledevelopment2004nepal, author = {{International Institute for Sustainable Development}}, title = {{Nepal – rethinking conservation strategy in times of conflict}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2004}, month = nov, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/security_nepal_conservation.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }