Buffer Zone
By creating national parks, wildlife reserves, and other protected places, the Nepali government has made great progress in preserving the
country's unique natural legacy. These programs are motivated by a strong desire to protect and manage the nation's wide variety of animals
and biodiversity. Nepal has demonstrated its commitment to conservation by establishing a strong network of protected areas, utilizing the
authority granted to it by the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1973. This network, which spans the whole geographic area of
Nepal, consists of 12 National Parks, 1 Wildlife Reserve, 1 Hunting Reserve, 6 Conservation Areas, and 13 Buffer Zones. These protected areas
span from the verdant lowlands of the Terai to the lofty peaks of the Himalayas, making up an astounding 23.39% of the country's total land
area. In addition to receiving praise from international organizations devoted to environmental preservation, the Government of Nepal's
rigorous conservation efforts have achieved international attention.
The notion of buffer zones lies at the heart of Nepal's conservation policy. The government has established buffer zones around 13 protected
places, including an area larger than 5602 square kilometers, in compliance with the Buffer Zone Area Management Regulation of 1996 and the
Buffer Zone Management Guideline. With a population of more than 0.9 million, these buffer zones are ideally located throughout 83 Village
Development Committees (VDCs) and two municipalities, covering 27 districts. There are two reasons why buffer zones should be established
around protected places. First of all, it offers a layer of defense that lessens the damaging effects that environmental variables and human
activity have on the natural environment. In addition, it serves as a link between the park and the nearby community, promoting mutual
benefit. Local communities can profit from park revenue within the buffer zones; possible advantages could be as high as 30% to 50%.
These communities actively participate in and support park management initiatives in exchange.
Sustainable management of natural resources is emphasized heavily in the buffer zone management program. By supporting environmentally appropriate land use methods and community involvement in conservation initiatives, it guarantees the long-term viability of these protected areas. An essential component of this strategy involves the operation of different tourism activities by local people as part of a community tourism project. Examples of these activities include tower nights, jeep safaris, boat excursions, and nature walks. The buffer zone management structure has allowed these activities to be smoothly incorporated, guaranteeing that the money generated by tourism would help the surrounding people. Essentially, buffer zones are an essential component of Nepal's conservation ideology and not only geographical features. While achieving particular conservation goals is still the major priority in protected areas, buffer zones allow for significant community involvement. They contribute to the comprehensive and sustainable management of Nepal's priceless natural resources by acting as a vital point of convergence for the objectives of human well-being and environmental preservation.