Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs) are popularly known as ?natural and modified ecosystems, with significant biodiversity, ecological services and cultural values, voluntarily conserved by indigenous and local communities through customary laws or other effective means?. In the recent times, ICCAs have been recognized as one of the important types of ?Governance of Protected Areas? by IUCN, noting that ICCAs exist both within and outside formal protected areas although largely unrecognized by formal state policies.

Conservation of biological diversity within and beyond protected areas is one of key priorities of the government of Nepal. The proposed project has a linkage with National Biodiversity Strategy which acknowledges ?strengthening the involvement of local and indigenous peoples in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity? as one of the priority areas.

A national consultation on ICCAs in August 2-3, 2009, organized in collaboration with GEF-SGP UNDP led to formation of an ad hoc committee of ICCA Network Nepal. The ad hoc national committee of the network was endorsed by a national gathering of ICCAs in June, 2010. However, the community members of the ad hoc committee do not have the resources to promote the ICCA Network in Nepal; therefore external support is critical. Hence there is a need of immediate institutional support to sustain, strengthen and expand the emerging network.

The latest study on ICCAs by ForestAction, Nepal also depicts existence of wide range and diverse forms of ICCAs across Nepal, significantly contributing in biodiversity conservation, livelihood security and cultural sustenance of indigenous and local communities. Yet they are little understood and are largely under documented. Sound documentation of their current status, significance for biodiversity conservation significance, and best practices would aid government and other stakeholders in appreciating strengths and significance of ICCAs and garner required support for ICCAs. This will also contribute to informed discussion of ICCAs in policy-making.

In Nepal, there are numerous such places particularly at higher altitude regions where local and indigenous communities have been engaged in customary practices of resource management and conservation. These places although significant for conservation of biodiversity are very much intertwined with socio-cultural and livelihood practices, values and faith of local inhabitants. These sites sustained by local traditional/modern institutions, localized knowledge and cultural practices are often vulnerable to internal and external forces. Therefore, an initiative to support and nurture such practices at a landscape, is crucial and urgent.

Thus the project aims to document the best practices and possible sites for ICCA and bring them to public debate. Likewise, it will also enhance the capacity of national network of ICCA.