New Delhi, February 24, 2025: An eleven-member delegation from Nepal, including officials from the Ministry of Forest and Environment, visited India from February 17 to 24, 2025, for advanced training on climate change adaptation through sustainable forest management. This initiative, facilitated by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Forest Department, Himachal Pradesh, focused on policy development, institutional capacity, and climate-resilient forestry practices.
This training is part of JICA’s five-year ‘Project for Climate Change Adaptation through Sustainable Forest Management in Nepal,’ launched in 2022. The initiative aims to enhance the institutional capacities of government entities responsible for climate change adaptation, as well as forest and watershed management. Due to its mountainous terrain, Nepal is particularly susceptible to soil erosion and water resource depletion, threatening both ecosystems and local livelihoods. The country’s economic and technical constraints further limit its ability to implement large-scale adaptation strategies, making capacity-building programs like this training crucial. During the program, the delegation observed best practices in Himachal Pradesh through a JICA-supported initiative, the Himachal Pradesh Forest Ecosystems Management and Livelihoods Project (PIHPFEM&L). Key learnings included sustainable forest management through a community-based approach, mitigating human-animal conflicts, self-help group initiatives, and soil conservation techniques. Participants also studied effective policy frameworks and government initiatives that have strengthened community resilience to climate challenges. The delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, where they received certificates in the presence of officials from MEA, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Embassy of Japan, and JICA. This training program marks a significant step in advancing India Japan’s development cooperation efforts in third countries.
Speaking about the program, Mr. TAKEUCHI Takuro, Chief Representative of JICA India, said, “This trilateral partnership between India, Japan, and Nepal exemplifies the power of regional collaboration in addressing climate challenges. By equipping Nepalese forestry officials with practical knowledge and innovative approaches, we’re not just building technical capacity – we’re helping to strengthen the entire region’s resilience to climate change through sustainable forest management.”
The initiative aligns with the broader India-Japan development cooperation framework in third countries, reinforcing shared commitments to environmental sustainability and cross-border knowledge exchange. Through such collaborations, the two countries continue to support Nepal in achieving its sustainable development goals and enhancing its forest management policies for a resilient future.