New Delhi: India and Nepal on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in forests, wildlife conservation, biodiversity protection and climate change initiatives.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi in the presence of Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Madhav Prasad Chaulagain, Nepal’s Cabinet Minister for Forests and Environment.
The MoU aims to enhance collaboration in the restoration of wildlife corridors and interlinking areas, facilitate exchange of technical expertise and best practices, and promote coordinated action in managing shared ecosystems and transboundary wildlife habitats.
India and Nepal, both rich in biodiversity and natural heritage, have developed extensive networks of protected areas. As signatories to several multilateral environmental agreements, the two countries recognize the importance of deeper coordination to address emerging environmental challenges, particularly in ecologically sensitive border regions.
Under the agreement, the two sides will work together to formulate landscape-level biodiversity conservation strategies, focusing on key species such as elephants, the Gangetic dolphin, rhinoceros, snow leopard, tiger and vultures.
As per the official statement, the MoU also provides for strengthened forest and protected area management, restoration of wildlife corridors to create transboundary conservation landscapes, and measures to address threats to biodiversity.
In addition, the pact emphasizes combating forest and wildlife crime, enhancing the capacity of frontline enforcement personnel, and promoting smart green infrastructure in biodiversity hotspots.
It said the agreement is expected to significantly deepen India–Nepal cooperation in conservation efforts and contribute to the sustainable management of shared natural resources, reinforcing the long-standing environmental partnership between the two neighbouring countries.
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