ICCA Network Nepal

14/06/2026

Workshop on Leadership Capacity Development of ICCA Youths

On 12–13 June 2026, ICCA Network Nepal successfully organized the Leadership Capacity Development Workshop of ICCA Youth at Treez Resort in Budanilkantha, Kathmandu.

This workshop aimed to provide a platform to reflect on the leadership of the ICCA youths, explore avenues to strengthen their leadership capacities, and deepen their understanding of biocultural conservation policies and practices in Nepal.

Through meaningful discussions, shared experiences, and collective learning, the workshop highlighted the vital role of ICCA youth in shaping the future of ICCA Network Nepal. It reaffirmed that empowering young people with knowledge, skills, and networks is essential for sustaining our territories, cultures, and biodiversity.

As we move forward, the workshop has laid a strong foundation for building a vibrant and connected network of ICCA youth leaders who are committed to carrying forward the vision of community stewardship, intergenerational knowledge, and collective action for the future of ICCAs in Nepal.

A heartfelt thank you to all the participants, whose dedication and enthusiasm made this journey of learning and reflection truly meaningful. Together, we are nurturing the next generation of leaders to conserve our lands, cultures, and biodiversity.

11/06/2026

On June 5th, we celebrated World Environment Day 2026 with a powerful webinar on ‘Nepal’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2026–2030: Opportunities and Challenges for Indigenous Peoples.’ This webinar was organized jointly by ICCA Network Nepal and CIPRED. Thank you to everyone who participated, and a special thanks to our speaker, Bishwash Chepang, for his valuable insights. We will soon share a brief report of the webinar on our website—stay tuned!

05/06/2026

🌿Happy World Environment Day 2026! 🌍

On this World Environment Day, we warmly invite you to join our webinar on

"Nepal's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2026–2030: Opportunities and Challenges for Indigenous Peoples"

📅 Date: 5 June 2026
⏰ Time: 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM (NPT)
💻 Platform: Google Meet
https://meet.google.com/rse-gyge-tac

📝 Registration:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScycs4YWpx.../viewform

📅 Add to Calendar:
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/1?cid=aWNjYS5uZXR3b3JrLm5lcGFsQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ

We believe this webinar will bring together youth, researchers, practitioners, conservation experts, Indigenous Peoples, and other stakeholders to discuss the opportunities and challenges of Nepal’s NBSAP 2026–2030 and its implications for Indigenous Peoples and for community-led biodiversity conservation.

Join us in exploring pathways toward a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future for bio-cultural conservation in Nepal.

04/06/2026

🌿 Webinar Announcement: World Environment Day 2026 🌿

On the occasion of World Environment Day 2026, ICCA Network Nepal and CIPRED are pleased to organize a webinar on:

"Nepal's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2026–2030: Opportunities and Challenges for Indigenous Peoples"

The webinar aims to provide a platform for youth researchers, practitioners, conservation experts, Indigenous leaders, and policymakers to discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with the implementation of Nepal's NBSAP 2026–2030, particularly for Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The discussion will focus on the role of biocultural conservation, Indigenous knowledge systems, and community-led approaches in achieving national and global biodiversity commitments.

📅 Date: 5 June 2026
⏰ Time: 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM (NPT)
💻 Platform: https://meet.google.com/rse-gyge-tac

📝 Registration:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScycs4YWpxO7xsrlB02Ct5-rO24WxsAatg42u4X6n3GGIhzKw/viewform?usp=header

Join us to explore how Indigenous knowledge and local communities can contribute to the effective implementation of NBSAP in Nepal and support the achievement of both national and global conservation targets.

Together, let us strengthen the voices of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in shaping a sustainable, resilient, and biodiversity-rich future for Nepal.

23/05/2026

The ICCA Network Nepal family is extremely grateful to the Women4Biodiversity team for providing us with a video platform to showcase our work in honor of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026.

The International Day for Biodiversity 2026 theme is “Acting locally for global impact,” and Women4Biodiversity wants to amplify the actions of women and gir...

12/02/2026

12/02/2026

The Youth Panel Session, titled “Youth Experience on Enhancing Bio-Cultural Conservation and Climate Knowledge and Leadership Capacity in Nepal,” was moderated by Dr. Jailab Rai. Distinguished speakers included Ms. Pratima Adhikari (IUCN), Ms. Binita Karki (UNDP), Mr. Biswash Chapang (CIPRED), Ms. Roishni Gurung (ICIMOD), and Ms. Roshani Limbu (ICCA Network Nepal). The discussion focused on sharing experiences to inspire youth and promote leadership development and engagement in conservation actions.
The second session featured youth representatives from three indigenous communities: Mr. Ram Kumar Chapang (Chapang), Ms. Tak Maya Thanet (Tharu), and Mr. Rabin Jirel (Jirel). They shared their lived experiences, highlighting traditional cultural practices, rituals, and beliefs that contribute to nature conservation and the preservation of bio-cultural heritage. Their stories emphasized the deep connection between indigenous knowledge and sustainable environmental stewardship.
During the plenary session, Bikesh Thami, Manila Deshar, Roshani Gurung, and Tsering Gyurmey reflected on the overall conference experiences and explored future pathways for strengthening youth knowledge, leadership capacity, and collaborative action in bio-cultural conservation across Nepal. The session encouraged collective commitment, networking, and sustained engagement beyond the conference.

12/02/2026

During the conference, two keynote speeches were delivered by representatives of NTNC and IUCN, adding significant depth and insight to the discussions. Dr. Naresh Subedi, Member Secretary of NTNC, presented on the theme of mainstreaming youth in NTNC: efforts and the way forward. In his address, he elaborated on NTNC’s ongoing initiatives to engage young people in conservation programs, research, and community-based environmental management. He emphasized the importance of creating institutional platforms where youth can meaningfully participate, contribute innovative ideas, and take leadership roles in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development

Similarly, Dr. Narendra Pradhan, Country Representative of the IUCN, delivered a thought-provoking keynote on envisioning youth: challenges and prospects from IUCN’s experience and perspective. He explained the IUCN structure, its functioning, and the historical background of IUCN’s establishment. He also highlighted how youth are engaged in IUCN and contribute to conservation.

11/02/2026

On the second day of the conference, ten research papers were presented by participants from different parts of Nepal. The first session featured four presentations by Ms. Renuka Pun, Ms. Roshni Gurung, Ms. Karma Khando Lama, and Ms. Roshani Limbu.
Similarly, the second session included papers presented by Mr. Biswash Chapang, Mr. Tsuldrim Gyaltsen Lama, Ms. Ranju Thami, and Mr. Bikesh Thami.

The third session of the day featured research presentations by Ms. Bhumika Tharu, Ms. Akreeti Hangkhim Rai, and Mr. Nemahang Rai.
Each presentation sparked engaging discussions, highlighting the diverse perspectives and innovative approaches of the researchers. Those papers highlighted the importance of integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation practices.

ICCA Network Nepal & the conference organizer team are deeply grateful to Dr. Govinda Basnet, Dr. Ramesh Sapkota, and Dr. Bikram Manandhar. Dr. Lila Nath Sharma, Dr. Anita Shrestha, Mr. Yuwaraj Guragai, and Mr. Dil Bikram Angdembe, for your invaluable time and insightful comments. We believe that your critical and constructive feedback helped broaden the understanding of the paper presenters and refine their writing!

11/02/2026

The Youth Conference on Bio-Cultural Conservation in Nepal commenced with twelve research paper presentations on the opening day. In the first technical session, four papers were presented by Ms. Manila Desher, Ms. Anisha Budha, Ms. Yangdrung Bhuti Baejee, and Mr. Tsering Gyurme Lama.
Similarly, the second technical session featured presentations by Ms. Richa Yadhav, Ms. Kritika Deshar, Ms. Pratikchya Danuwar, and Mr. Indra Prasad Bote.
In the third technical session, papers were presented by Ms. Janney Kayestha, Mr. Namgyal Ngodup Lama, Mr. Chheten Rinzen Sherpa, and Ms. Chandra Kala Bote, followed by invaluable comments and feedback from the paper commentators. Overall, these papers highlighted the inseparable relationship between nature and culture and emphasized the vital role of youth participation in bio-cultural conservation.

ICCA Network Nepal and the conference organizing team are heartly thankfull to Dr. Roshan Sherchan, Dr. Sushila Chaterjee, Dr. Sujata Tamang, Dr. Prakash Bhattrai, Dr. Kamal Thapa Mager and Mr. Kamal Sampang for your valuable time and insightful comments. We believe that your critical and construtive feedback helped broden the understanding of the paper presenters and refine their writing!