Local Community First – Biodiversity Conservation Society Nepal

BIOCOS- Nepal believe that lasting conservation starts with people. The communities living closest to forests, rivers, and wildlife are not just observers of environmental change, they experience it firsthand and often hold generations of knowledge about the land. That’s why we place their involvement, needs, and insights at the heart of everything we do.

Too often, conservation decisions are made without listening to those most affected. We take a different approach. For us, communities are not just stakeholders, they’re essential partners. Whether it’s reducing human-wildlife conflict, protecting endangered species, or promoting sustainable land use, we work side by side with local people to design and carry out solutions that truly fit their context.

Across regions like Pipar, Dhaulagiri, Manang, and Mustang, local people are leading the charge. In Pipar, community members help protect the region’s rich birdlife through the Mountain Bird Paradise Camp, while in the Dhaulagiri region, they support red panda conservation through the Red Panda Camp. In the Manang and Mustang areas, local stewards play a key role in safeguarding snow leopard habitats through the Snow Leopard Haven.

Our approach focuses on empowering local youth through training and support. Many serve as wildlife monitors, using tools like SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool) to track species, behaviors, and threats. These citizen scientists contribute valuable field data, while also raising awareness and inspiring conservation within their communities.

Local involvement is also central to our anti-snare efforts, especially for ground-dwelling birds like the Himalayan Monal and Satyr Tragopan. With proper training, community members now identify and dismantle snares, reducing one of the key threats to these species.

By respecting local voices and building trust, we create conservation strategies that are not only effective but also equitable. Because when communities lead, conservation has a better chance of lasting for nature, for people, and for generations to come.