Nature’s contributions to people and the Sustainable Development Goals in Nepal

Abstract

Nature’s Contributions to People (NCPs) underpin the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) but are declining globally. It is therefore critical to identify the drivers of changes in NCPs, and to understand how and where NCPs can contribute towards the achievement of the SDGs. Using the conceptual framework of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), we conducted a systematic synthesis of the literature to determine the state of research on NCPs, trends in NCPs and their drivers, and the contribution of NCPs towards achieving the SDGs in Nepal, a low-income and highly biodiverse country. We found that NCPs contributed positively towards the achievement of twelve SDGs. However, NCPs were reported to be declining across Nepal, ultimately undermining Nepal’s ability to achieve SDG targets. The major direct drivers of decline were land-use change, over-exploitation, and climate change. These direct drivers were linked to standard development interventions, including agricultural expansion and the construction of road and energy infrastructure. However, some interventions, such as community forestry and protected areas, increased the supply of NCPs. Better integration of Indigenous knowledge and local practices was also reported to be effective in improving the provision of NCPs and contributing to improving livelihoods at local scales. We identified opportunities for further research in NCPs, particularly in increasing geographical representativeness and improving our understanding of non-material NCPs. Our review demonstrates the applicability of the IPBES conceptual framework to comprehensively understanding the connectivity of socio-ecological systems.

A multi‐methods approach for assessing how conserving biodiversity interacts with other sustainable development goals in Nepal

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Chapter 4: Effects of a changing cryosphere on biodiversity and ecosystem services, and response options in the Hindu Kush Himalaya

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The Participation of The Indigenous Women’s Association in The Recovery of Cultural Tourism in Bali, Indonesia

“…Cultural tourism also benefits from the active participation of the Indigenous Women's association. This article (Adhikari et al, 2022), written by a feminist working in the international NGO (INGO) sector, elaborates on why and how the INGO Oxfam engaged in the process of formulating the new post-2015 development agenda. It provides insights into Oxfam's policy analysis, strategy development, and political engagement in advocating for a stand-alone gender equality goal, including together with allies.…”