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For nearly four decades, farmers in a small settlement upstream of Khageri watershed of Ichhakamana Rural Municipality-7, Chitwan, had given up hope of growing paddy. A devastating flood in Oct 1984 turned once-fertile farmland into barren wasteland, leaving families dependent on rain-fed maize and seasonal vegetables. The soil degraded, irrigation sources disappeared, and farming slowly became a struggle for survival rather than a sustainable livelihood.

Then, last year, something changed.

For the first time in 40 years, local farmer Mangal Raj Shrestha harvested paddy again. On his 6,095 square meters of land, he produced nearly 3,100 kilograms of spring rice, enough to feed his family throughout the year and generate income from sales.

The transformation did not come through expensive machinery or large-scale infrastructure. Instead, it came through something increasingly seen as critical in addressing climate and environmental crises: nature-based solutions.

At Ranikhola Community Forest in Ichhakamana, local communities embraced watershed and springshed management solutions such as bio-dykes, water conservation ponds, irrigation protection, water augmentation structures for springs revival and ecosystem restoration. The result was the revival of land that had remained unproductive for decades.

According to Ram Prasad Gurung, secretary of the Ranikhola Community Forest Users Group, restoring the land required years of difficult work.

The degradation of the Chure region had left the settlement highly vulnerable to repeated flooding and land erosion. To restore the ecosystem and protect the community, locals constructed bio-embankments, conservation ponds, water augmentation structures, protected irrigation sources, and a 1.5-kilometer irrigation canal. Today, the system supports rice cultivation across nearly 135,453 square meters of land, alongside vegetable farming.

But Ranikhola is far from the only example. Across communities in Chitwan and Nawalpur, local residents are increasingly discovering that restoring watersheds and springshed is also restoring livelihoods.

Three years ago, nearly 40 households were affected, and eight families were displaced by a landslide in Kawasoti Municipality-4, Nawalpur. The settlement lies within the Gindri Wetland area of Sankhadev Hasaura Community Forest, between the Gindri River and a landslide-prone slope.

The landslide had been gradually worsening since the 2015 earthquake, with fragile soil conditions causing sections of the forest to slowly move downhill.

Prem Prasad Tiwari, chairperson of the community forest, says the situation has improved significantly after the community introduced nature-based interventions as low-cost soil and water conservation measures which included bioengineering through bamboo crib wall, bamboo palisades, bamboo check dam, plantation of bamboo and other slope stabilizing vegetations, and gully erosion treatments with diversion canal and siltation traps. “Since we started these interventions, the landslide has stopped for almost a year,” Tiwari said. “Some displaced families now want to return because they feel safe again.”

A short distance away in Hupsekot Rural Municipality-4, communities have focused on springshed management for restoring groundwater systems.

The recharge ponds and other water augmentation structures (eyebrow pits, contour trench, flood diversion canal, etc.)  built inside the forest may appear dry during summer, but according to Karun Dewan, Program Officer (Freshwater Programs) at WWF Nepal, their function is far more important beneath the surface. “These water augmentation structures collect rainwater throughout the year especially during the monsoon and allow it to slowly infiltrate underground recharging the aquifers for springs,” he said.

Local farmer Khem Bahadur Magar says the difference has been dramatic. “Before the ponds were conserved, agricultural productivity here was low, and there was very little greenery in the area,” he said. “Now irrigation has improved significantly (through the water collected from the springs), and our crop yields have nearly doubled.”

The impact is visible even during harvest season. “Earlier the land remained dry, and we used machines to harvest paddy. Now groundwater recharge has improved so much that the fields stay muddy, forcing us to harvest manually,” he said.

A similar transformation is underway at Joltepokhari Community Forest in Hupsekot, where once-dry forestland has turned visibly greener.

Rupa Rana, chairperson of the community forest, says local understanding of conservation has changed entirely. “We now understand the importance of recharge ponds, conservation ponds, eyebrow pits/half-moon pits, and other nature-based conservation measures,” she said.

With support from local organization Sahamati under the Triple Benefit Program–Nepal, and financial and technical assistance from WWF Nepal, communities have expanded into water efficient vegetable farming, livestock rearing, beekeeping and market-based enterprises.

Among the 233 households in the Community Forest Users Group, many are now directly engaged in income-generating activities. “We had tried farming before, but it failed because water availability was poor,” Rana said. “Now water availability has improved along with enhanced skill on water efficient technologies, which has led to farming expanding rapidly.”

Vegetables are sold locally in Kawasoti, while peak production is transported as far as Kathmandu. “Sometimes we cannot even meet market demand,” she added.

The benefits extend beyond agriculture. The community has developed local entrepreneurs who collect produce from farmers and supply larger markets. Some households have even started allocating a portion of their profits to nearby government schools for student scholarships.

For 30-year-old Hemati Masraini, the impact has been life-changing. A mother of two daughters studying in primary school, she now supports her entire household independently through goat farming. “Last year, I earned nearly Rs 100,000,” she said, adding that she consistently raises at least 10 goats.

Locals say wildlife populations in the surrounding forests have also increased since conservation efforts began, as evidenced by the hoof prints of wild boars and other ungulates around the conservation ponds, along with the frequent songs of birds echoing through the forest.

In neighboring Ichhakamana Rural Municipality, nature-based solutions have also protected critical infrastructure.

A drinking water tank at the edge of Kalika Pipaltar Community Forest supplying around 400 households was once at risk of destruction due to a landslide. Bioengineering interventions for this landslide helped stabilize the slope and save the water supply system and also possible damage to the settlement and agriculture land below.

Additionally, at Kalika Pipaltar Community Forest, improved wetland management, ecosystem regeneration, bioengineering and fire-line construction have significantly reduced environmental risks.

Som Bahadur Chepang, an advisor to the community forest, says forest fires have nearly disappeared. “Previously, forest fires were frequent,” he said. “But this year, it has been almost zero.” However, irrigation remains a challenge, and the community still depends heavily on rainfall for farming.

Collectively, these stories across two watersheds- Khageri (Chitwan) and Gindri (Nawalpur) show how nature-based solutions are doing far more than conserving forests. They are reducing disaster risks, restoring degraded watersheds, improving groundwater systems with springshed management, strengthening community institutions, and creating sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable communities.

Across Chitwan and Nawalpur, communities are proving that environmental conservation and economic prosperity do not have to exist separately. In many cases, protecting nature itself is becoming the foundation for improving people’s lives.

Nepal is likely to witness a delayed monsoon this year. The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology said that June 13 is a tentative date for the monsoon arrival in Nepal. Though the monsoon is late, it doesn’t mean that the consequences are low.

According to the department’s spokesperson, Bibhuti Pokharel, the developing El Nino is expected to weaken Nepal’s monsoon circulation. The monsoon was delayed in Nepal in 1972, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, 2009, 2016, 2019 and 2023.

The department’s seasonal outlook indicates that several regions across Nepal may receive below-average rainfall during June-September monsoon period. Parts of Lumbini, Madhes, Koshi, Gandaki, Karnali, and Sudurpashchim provinces have 55–65 percent probability of receiving below normal rainfall.

At the same time, temperatures are expected to remain above normal across most parts of the country. Higher than normal maximum and minimum temperature are forecasted in Koshi, Madhes, Lumbini, Gandaki, Bagmati, and Karnali provinces, increasing the risk of heat stress, particularly in the Tarai.

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has also projected below-normal rainfall across much of Nepal, with western region likely to experience the largest deficits. Despite forecasts of below-average seasonal rainfall, risk of disasters remains high. According to Nepal’s National Monsoon Preparedness and Response Action Plan 2083, rising temperatures and changing weather patterns could trigger localized extreme rainfall events, flash floods, landslides, inundation, riverbank erosion and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).

The report from the plan estimates that approximately 2,26,661 people from 51,868 households could be affected by monsoon-related disasters this year. The prediction for this year’s monsoon appears to be comparable to the monsoon of 2004, 2016, and 2022. It is projected that between 1,000 and 4,000 households may be directly impacted, which constitutes roughly 10 percent of the worst-case scenario.

The committee also approved revisions to the “Standards for Formation and Mobilization of Search and Rescue Teams, 2083,” strengthening operational readiness for emergency deployment. In addition, amendments were endorsed for several important disaster management frameworks and procedures, including the “Artificial Incident Exercise Operation Procedure, 2083,” the “Forecast-based Anticipatory Action National Framework, 2083,” and the “Grant Procedure for Strengthening, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Disaster-Affected Private Housing, 2081.”

The warning comes as Nepal continues to rank among the countries highly vulnerable to climate impacts. According to the Climate Risk Index 2025 published by Germanwatch, climate-related disasters directly affect around 75,840 people every year.

Kathmandu identifies more than 8,000 households at risk

Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) authorities stepped up preparedness measures ahead of the rainy season and have identified 128 flood-prone locations and estimates that more than 8,000 households could be affected during the monsoon.

Ward 16 is expected to be the most vulnerable, with around 1,600 households at risk due to flooding from the Samakhushi and Bishnumati rivers. More than 1,200 households in Ward 26 and nearly 1,000 households each in Ward 3 and 4 are also considered highly vulnerable.

To support emergency response, KMC has designated 51 parks, 28 open spaces and 87 schools as temporary shelters and emergency facilities. The city has also intensified river cleaning and drainage maintenance operations, deploying around 30 workers daily to clear waste and obstructions from rivers, culverts, catch pits and drainage systems.

Government strengthens preparedness

The government has approved the ‘National Monsoon Preparedness and Response Action Plan 2083’, outlining coordinated measures to reduce casualties, infrastructure damage and disruptions to livelihoods. The government has also endorsed revisions to several disaster management frameworks, including standards for search and rescue team mobilization, anticipatory action mechanisms and post-disaster reconstruction procedures.

Across the country, 14,078 trained volunteers are available for deployment, including 12,674 Nepal Red Cross Society volunteers and 1,404 volunteers registered in the national Volunteer Management System.

Disaster management authorities currently have access to more than Rs 7.56bn in disaster funds at the federal, provincial and district levels, including resources available through the Prime Minister’s Natural Disaster Relief Fund.

Nepal’s history demonstrates the devastating consequences of monsoon disasters where every year, many lives are lost and many households are affected. 

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), between 2016 and 2025 Nepal recorded 2,358 flood incidents and 5,032 landslides. These disasters claimed 678 lives in floods and 1,483 lives in landslides, while hundreds more were injured or went missing.

Lessons learned from previous monsoons

Disaster management reviews have identified several priorities for reducing monsoon risks. Authorities emphasize stronger coordination among government agencies, the private sector, media and civil society organizations.

Recommendations include expanding the availability of drones, helicopters and rescue boats, establishing command centers immediately following forecasts of extreme rainfall, improving public awareness campaigns and maximizing the use of modern communication technologies.

The importance of delivering early warnings through mobile networks, schools, community organizations and local governments while combating misinformation during emergencies.

With the monsoon season approaching amid forecasts of delayed rains, warmer temperatures and continued climate uncertainty, authorities warn that preparedness at every level—from national agencies to local communities—will determine how effectively Nepal can reduce the human and economic toll of this year’s disaster season.

Imagine spending a night in the middle of the jungle, staying in a tree house surrounded by the sounds of birds and insects, with fireflies illuminating the darkness, cool fresh air brushing past, leaves rustling in the wind, and wild animals moving around as if they were familiar companions. It is an experience unlike any other.

This is exactly what visitors can experience in the buffer zone community forests surrounding Chitwan National Park.

According to Meghnath Poudel, chairperson of Milijuli Buffer Zone Community Forest in Ratnanagar Municipality, Chitwan, the community forest earned more than Rs 600,000 in revenue from its night-stay tower, popularly known as the Tree House, in the last fiscal year alone. The four-story tower features an open space on the ground floor, rooms for guards and nature guides on the first floor, and two guest rooms each on the third and fourth floors, all equipped with attached washrooms. In total, the tower can accommodate 12 guests.

The Tree House overlooks a pond frequently visited by wildlife. Visitors often witness one-horned rhinoceroses, tigers, deers, wild boars, crocodiles, and a variety of bird species as they come to drink water, bathe, or simply rest near the water body.

Poudel says that although the primary income source of the community forest remains the sale of firewood, tourism-related services such as the Tree House and Jeep Safari are becoming increasingly important revenue streams. 

A similar initiative has recently been completed by Chaturmukhi Community Forest in Kalika Municipality, Chitwan, where another night-stay tower is expected to begin operations soon. Chairperson Hari Gurung says the decision was driven by growing demand from both domestic and foreign tourists.

“As we saw increasing interest from local and international visitors in staying at Tree Houses, and observed that similar facilities elsewhere were consistently occupied, we decided to build one in our own community forest,” says Gurung. “Selling wood alone is the traditional concept of community forestry, but now we need to focus on long-term alternative income sources such as tourism.”

Gurung says Jeep Safari services have also become a promising source of income, generating more than Rs 600,000 in just the past six months. “We have now received permission to operate evening Jeep Safaris from 5 pm to 10 pm, which is still a relatively new concept in Nepal,” he says, expressing optimism about increased tourist inflow, particularly because wildlife sightings are often more frequent during evening hours.

However, Chaturmukhi Community Forest faces a major challenge. Unlike buffer zone forests, it is not located in an area where wildlife concentration is naturally high. “Wildlife visibility remains relatively low because we are not in a buffer zone area, where animal sightings are much more common,” Gurung explains. “Still, we are doing our best to improve wildlife habitats because this forest falls within a Biological Corridor Pathway, essentially serving as a highway for wildlife movement. We are also investing in restoring natural grasslands for wildlife.”

Kalabanjar Buffer Zone Community Forest in Bharatpur Metropolitan City presents a different story altogether. The area has become an important habitat for both summer and winter migratory birds in Nepal.

Among the major winter migratory species found here are the Bar-headed Goose, known for flying over Sagarmatha, Ruddy Shelduck (locally called Chakhewa), Mallard, Gadwall, Eurasian Wigeon, and Booted Eagle. Summer migratory species include the Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Pied Cuckoo, Oriental Cuckoo, and Chestnut-headed Bee-eater.

Yet, according to nature guide Manish Limbu, bird populations have declined significantly in recent years due to multiple challenges, including shrinking ponds, increasing use of chemical fertilizers in farmlands, hunting, depletion of water sources due to deep boring systems, and the absence of recharge ponds.

“We have established a community-based anti-poaching unit and trained local communities to understand the ecological importance of birds,” says Sailendra Mahato, outgoing secretary of Kalabanjar Buffer Zone Community Forest. “Previously, people saw migratory birds as enemies, but awareness programs have helped communities understand their ecological value. This knowledge should now be incorporated into school curriculums.”

However, Mahato raises concerns over the lack of compensation mechanisms for farmers whose crops are damaged by birds. “At present, only minimal compensation, up to Rs 10,000, is provided when crops are damaged by wild animals such as elephants, rhinoceroses, or wild boars,” he says. “There is no compensation when birds destroy crops. Unless farmers are compensated properly, they will continue seeing birds as enemies rather than part of the ecosystem.”

A major challenge common to all community forests in Chitwan is the spread of invasive plant species.

According to ForestAction Nepal, 29 invasive plant species have been recorded in Nepal. Four of them—Lantana camara, Mikania micrantha, Chromolaena odorata, and Eichhornia crassipes—are listed among the world’s 100 worst invasive alien species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). These invasive plants not only hinder forest growth but also degrade habitats critical for threatened wildlife such as tigers and rhinoceroses.

So what is the solution?

Thangkhola Community Forest in Kalika Municipality, Chitwan has found an innovative answer: turning invasive plants into organic compost fertilizer.

Ram Bahadur Karki, chairperson of the forest, says the community forest users group previously cut and burned invasive plants, but this year they adopted a new strategy. “We have started decomposing invasive plants spread across 28.5 hectares out of the forest’s total area of 199.85 hectares to produce compost fertilizer,” he says.

Karki estimates that around seven tons of fertilizer will be produced in the first batch. The product is sold internally to community forest members at Rs 20 per kilogram, while external buyers pay Rs 50 per kilogram. It is packaged in both 5-kilogram and 25-kilogram sacks.

Working in partnership with the local organization Sahamati under the Triple Benefit Program–Nepal, WWF Nepal has provided both financial and technical assistance. Beyond supporting compost production, the organization has strengthened forest conservation by supplying fire-fighting equipment, constructing fire lines, and training forest guards for patrols. To mitigate climate and disaster risks, the initiative has built bio-dams and bio-dykes to curb landslides, established multi-floral tree regeneration plots, promoted bamboo cultivation, and restored forest vegetation. Furthermore, the partnership focuses on water security and community resilience by conserving wetlands, building conservation and recharge ponds, and supporting local agricultural and livelihood programs.

The compost production process itself is relatively simple. Workers first cut invasive plants and transport them to a processing shed. The plants are finely chopped using a chaff cutter, mixed with soil and water, and left to decompose. Approximately 10 percent soil or dung is added to the mixture, while water is supplied as required. Full decomposition takes roughly three months, after which the compost is packed for sale.

The product, branded as ‘Prakriti Compost Fertilizer’, contains 2.28 percent nitrogen, 0.92 percent phosphorus, 2.26 percent potassium, and 31.93 percent organic carbon. Karki says the fertilizer has undergone laboratory testing and is fully ready for use.

Only local consumers of the community forest are employed in the unit, all on daily wages. Workers put in eight-hour shifts and receive compensation according to the government’s minimum wage standards. The factory has already produced around 10 trainers who can support other community forests interested in replicating the model.

According to Karki, market demand appears highly promising. “We have already introduced the product to banana and mushroom farmers in Chitwan. If they approve the quality and begin placing orders, we could quickly run out of stock, considering there are thousands of hectares of farmland in Chitwan alone,” he says. “Our long-term vision is to expand this practice widely across Nepal, protecting forests through nature-based solutions while helping make the country self-reliant in organic fertilizer production.” He adds that transforming invasive species into a profitable resource creates a rare win-win situation. “It is an alternative way of making money from invasive species while simultaneously protecting forests,” he says. “It is part of a circular economy.”

Meanwhile, Poudel of Milijuli Buffer Zone Community Forest says his forest also plans to establish a similar compost fertilizer production enterprise using invasive plants in the near future.

Every year, about 40-50 people lose their lives due to wildlife attacks in Nepal. Around National Parks areas, animal attack incidents have increased significantly. Wild animals are not only inside the national parks. With an increasing number of the wildlife, they have made habitat in the forest area outside the park as well.

Some Community Forests of Nepal have started bush clear campaigns in the community forest. A campaign reducing wildlife attack incidents, it has provided multiple benefits to the community and increased engagement of the community.

Jit Bahadur Biswokarma, aged 62, from Binayi Triveni Rural Municipality–1, used to work as a forest guard at the Binayi Community Forest Users Group in Nawalpur district, Gandaki Province. His family’s expenses were covered by his salary as a forest guard. On the morning of 28 Nov 2021,  he had gone in the forest area for patrolling as always. He was killed in a tiger attack in the jungle.

The Southern Part of the Binayi Tirveni Rural Municipality touches the Chitwan National Park’s border. Wildlife of the Chitwan National Parks frequently enter the forest area, which received support as a habitat for wildlife after community effort in the conservation.

Balu Puri, chairperson of the Binayi Community Forest Users, said that it was very challenging to save the lives of those people by using roads along forest areas. “There was a boost, therefore, wild animals hidden in the boost and attacked humans,” She recalled “We decided to cut bush and clear forest in the initial phase.”

There had been other incidents where people lost their lives by attacking tigers. On 25 Dec 2023, Manadevi Paudel and her daughter in law were killed by a Tiger while going to collect fodder in the Jungle.

After that the Community took the decision to clear bush along the road side of the forest to save people’s lives from the wild animal. When they collected the bush, a new idea was to prepare organic fertilizer from the cut bush. After that the community began an initiative of 6,000 kilograms two years ago, according, Community Users Forest Groups. This year, the Community Forest sold 50 tone organic fertilizer. The Community Forest is selling fertilizer at Rs 25 per kg. “We could not have fulfilled the demand,” Mina Paudel, an Office Secretary of the Binayi  Community Forest Users Groups, said. According to her, the fertilizer demands Chitwan, Pokhara and Kathmandu.

Multiple benefits

An initiative which one had started  in the beginning phase  to save the people’s lives from the wild animals however it has contributed multiple benefits within the Binayi  Triveni.

Balu Puri, chairperson of the community forest said that  local people, those who are marginalized and jobless, got Job opportunities in the community forest. One example is Jasmati Dhengamagar, 55 of Binayi Tirveni Rural Municipality before joining the community forest as a bush collector labor she used to work construction labor in the village, however it was not regular. “I have to manage all expenses in my house, I live with my the smallest son but he can not work due to his health, therefore all responsibility is in my hand,” she said “When I joined here as a labor, it has made easier in my life, I have no tension regarding all family expenses. Every month, on average I am earning from here about Rs 30,000-35,000. 

Mina Paudel, an office secretary of the Binayi  Community Forest Users Groups, said that about 20 women are getting regular jobs from the community forest such as Jasmati. “We are able to provide jobs for them for 12 months, we pay as per their work, if they work more they can earn more,” she said. The site of bush collection has not caught fire thus far. 

Expansion plan

An experience of the initiative, the Community Forest Users Groups are excited about their work and have planned to expand it in the upcoming days. The Binayi Community Forest Users Group has collected bush in 10 other community forests. “If any community forest provides bush, we will collect it as raw material for the  organic fertilizer,” Paudel said. Different NGOs have been supporting this initiative started by the Binayi Community Forest Users Groups.

The Forest and Farm Facility Program (FFF), which is conducted in Nepal by FAO, has supported community innovation. According to Balu Puri, chairperson of the Community Forest Users Groups, the FFF had  provided  technical support to enhance innovation to make mechanics. “We have been supported by them with different types of machines, tractors and other technical equipment," she said “After support by FAO we will increase our production next year, Our target is to produce about 125 tons of organic fertilizer.”