ACAP began its conservation
initiatives in 1986 as a pilot project in the village of Ghandruk. In the last
11 years ACAP has evolved from an experimental Integrated Conservation and
Development Project (ICDP) model to become the largest protected area in Nepal.
With an area of 7629 sq.km. and over 100,000 indigenous residents, ACA is
managed by the KMTNC, a national NGO. The ultimate aim of the ACAP is to
conserve the natural and cultural heritage of the area and improve the living
standard of its habitants on a sustainable basis through their participation.
The major programmes of the ACAP are
1) natural resources conservation
2) alternative energy
3)
tourism management
4)
agroforestry (integrated agriculture) development
5)
infrastructure development (trail, bridge, school, healthpost etc.) and
6) conservation education.
Community organisations are organised. The committee involves all in the
project cycle i.e. from analysing the local problems, prioritising them,
identifying the projects, preparing action plans, contributing in the
implementation level, utilising them, reviewing and evaluating the projects for
the future or in other sites within their command areas. ACAP supports the
communities to undertake the projects they prioritise for financial and
technical aspects. However their capacity is built for the long run
sustainability of the projects side by side in the areas of financial
management, technical continuity, institutional development
etc.
Information Source
Prepared by
...
Gehendra
Gurung
Programme Coordinator (northern sector),
Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP)
P.O.Box 183, Pokhara, Kaski,
NEPAL
Telephone
977- 61- 21102/28202
Facsimile
977- 61- 28203
E-Mail
[email protected]