Environmental and Social Management Framework & Process Framework

The MaWRiN project aims to enhance climate resilience for indigenous and local communities in Nepal's Marin watershed through nature-based solutions and livelihood improvements. This framework outlines the procedures to identify and mitigate adverse environmental and social impacts, ensuring compliance with both Nepal's national laws and WWF's Safeguards Integrated Policies and Procedures (SIPP). Key components include the development of site-specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), a Process Framework for livelihood restoration, and an Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework (IPPF) based on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC). The project explicitly prohibits activities involving private land acquisition, physical displacement, commercial logging, and the use of high-risk pesticides.

• The Marin watershed is identified as highly vulnerable to climate change, experiencing frequent floods, droughts, fires, and landslides that threaten the subsistence of largely indigenous agrarian communities.
• The project area is characterized by high poverty, with a watershed poverty rate of 43%, and a heavy reliance on subsistence agriculture, forests, and fish farming, particularly among women (85%).
• Indigenous peoples are a dominant demographic in the project area, with the Tamang community making up 55% of the population, followed by Magar, Newar, and Majhi groups.
• The project identifies several gaps where Nepal's national legislation is less stringent than WWF's SIPP, specifically regarding comprehensive environmental screening, occupational health and safety, and the requirement for Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for indigenous peoples.
• Anticipated adverse environmental impacts from nature-based solutions and construction include soil degradation from inappropriate seed varieties, water source contamination, and noise or air pollution from civil works.
• Potential adverse social impacts include restrictions on access to grazing lands, firewood, and water sources, as well as social conflicts arising from beneficiary selection criteria.
• To mitigate livelihood loss, the project will implement Livelihood Restoration Plans (LRPs) providing compensation based on the replacement value of livelihoods, regardless of formal land title.
• The project mandates a strict Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process for any activity affecting the rights, lands, or resources of indigenous peoples, ensuring they can withhold consent without fear of reprisal.
• A multi-tiered Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) will be established, allowing stakeholders to submit complaints via phone, email, or in-person to both the Project Field Office and the National Project Management Unit.
• The project maintains a strict exclusion list of prohibited activities, including private land acquisition, physical displacement, commercial logging, and the use of WHO Class IA, IB, or II pesticides.

APA

WWF International (n.d.). Environmental and Social Management Framework & Process Framework. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/84ay6s1dtr_MaWRiN_ESMF_Final.pdf?_ga=2.209630866.1498548989.1657207795-1409715647.1656444483

Chicago

WWF International. Environmental and Social Management Framework & Process Framework. n.d. https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/84ay6s1dtr_MaWRiN_ESMF_Final.pdf?_ga=2.209630866.1498548989.1657207795-1409715647.1656444483.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=WWF International |title=Environmental and Social Management Framework & Process Framework |url=https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/84ay6s1dtr_MaWRiN_ESMF_Final.pdf?_ga=2.209630866.1498548989.1657207795-1409715647.1656444483 |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{wwfinternationalndenvironmental, author = {{WWF International}}, title = {{Environmental and Social Management Framework \& Process Framework}}, institution = {WWF International}, url = {https://files.worldwildlife.org/wwfcmsprod/files/Publication/file/84ay6s1dtr_MaWRiN_ESMF_Final.pdf?_ga=2.209630866.1498548989.1657207795-1409715647.1656444483}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }