Nepal is a country of immense richness when it comes to human, geographical and biological diversity. This richness brings both, the immense potential to utilise the resources locally available to deal with all the chronic challenges that our part of the world has been facing for ages as well as a great need to be united, creative and rigorous with our activism and interventions for the solution.The longstanding issues with basic living standards, diseases, livelihood, threats from disasters, hindrances in quality education and reasonable infrastructures has crippled our communities who live very close with nature, for centuries. On the top of it, secondary issues like destruction of natural resources including forests, rivers, land, rock-minerals etc., social issues like disruption in social harmony, lack of cohesion, lack of interest in communal activities and increasing individualistic way of being and the tragedy of the commons etc. have created disparity in economic status among members of the same communities where rich ones are getting richer and the poor are becoming poorer and more vulnerable to lower quality of life.
The idea of development and progress in the current world seems to be full of flaws as it not only lacks to incorporate the very important values that we need to install in the concept of success among the members of our new coming generations but systematically tramples on the value side of humanity. It has become a subject of paramount importance that we review the concept of development, progress and success when we consider how to excel on the practice of quality human living, while being considerate to the nature and humanity itself. We believe, what Nepal still has to offer with its richness provides us with an amazing opportunity to create examples of communities that can showcase how human living standards can reach to a whole another level while we ensure everlasting protection of nature, strong management of social harmony and engagement.
The Himalayan Nature Conservation Base
The Himalayan Nature Conservation Base was conceived realising the need for a different approach to deal with all the initial chronic and the human created secondary challenges to a responsible living quality. The base is expected to act as a hub for all the community members and people from beyond all boundaries to unite, discuss issues, share and/or create ideas, learn or teach and much more, on the lines of our concerns and needs discussed above.
People from different age groups, different professions and different walks of life can engage in training/schooling, workshops, seminars, group discussions and planning on various subjects of Environmental protection, social/communal engagements and a responsible living practice at this base. This base is planned to be an open venue for community for regular meetings where they can discuss on the local issues and also settle disputes among them. It is expected to be the breeding centre of new generation of stewards who will have the empowerment, means and the values to take the idea of 'responsible living' far beyond the standards of less-understood and limiting concept of 'Sustainable Development'. Inspiration, ideas, expertise, empowerment, amplification of local voices, lists of needs and necessities, documentation of indigenous knowledge, sets of values for a responsible living and so on, are expected to be the ultimate products of the base. The ultimate vision of the base is to inspire communities to take action in making their villages, communities and surrounding a better place for all life forms, while using all those products of the base mentioned above.
For the past few years, Nepal Conservation has been working closely with Tharu community in Dalla village of Bardia and esteemed group of professionals from Malaysia and Taiwan to develop a Regional Conservation Base. Till date we have managed to purchase the land and have created a design for the proposed centre. Subsequently, according to the identified needs of the community and Nepal Conservation, we have created an operational plan for the centre. We have estimated a tentative budget of $283,000. Your support will transform our idea into a reality to create opportunities for locals and youths in Bardia to take sustainable actions to conserve their biodiversity. Once operational the nature centre will be the first of its kind in the country, which is hoped to be replicable in other areas in the future.
Objectives
The mission of this project is to provide support to the local communities in their conservation efforts by meeting the needs of communal learning center. The project envisions contributing to the new generation of stewards who are inspired, empowered and knowledgeable.
The main objectives of the project are as follows:
• To address the lack of communal space to accommodate around 100 people for discussions, planning, interactions and trainings for local stakeholders.
• To create a base to operate projects for Nepal Conservation.
• To introduce environmental learning centre with library, resources and internet facilities
• To create a base for Community Centre for Conservation Technology
• To create an international exchange hub by facilitating volunteers, scholars, researchers and students during their visit to Bardia.
Proposed Design
The design of the proposed center considers the need without compromising the wilderness of the setting. The proposed design for the center depends on the size of the site, surrounding environment and community requirements. The design proposes 24 hours electricity unit within the structure.
Interior
The design proposes an eco-concept that has been thought about carefully to maximize the use of space available. The base under the overhang thatched roof and tree trunk columns is inspired by the traditional local design of houses in Bardia. The foundation base would be concrete strip which will minimize the need for maintenance. This one storied base structure plans to have a big hall; creating a mixture of library, bookshelves, presentation screening and furniture which can accommodate around 100 individuals. The convertible roofs will create outdoor theatre for entertainment purpose. The base has no windows or door, which will allow natural lights to enter onto the hall. The meeting hall directly off from the reception could be a meeting space or library with resources and the internet. The space will be multi-functional with sound management system that serves different purposes from entertainment, movie screening, presentations, seminars or meetings. The hall provides access to the lawn with natural grass and trees. The spaces outside the base will be surrounded by trees which will disguise the building from the outside of the compound (next door community forest).
Exterior
The exterior of the design proposes a parking lawn leading to the entrance of the center. The reception will direct the visitors to the wetland pond with a bridge that will guide them towards the main meeting hall. The pond is positioned in the middle of the design that differentiates the public and private areas of the center. The private areas are towards the East with office rooms, kitchen, toilets, bathrooms and rooms for accommodating volunteers and guests. The visitors will have access to lawns which can be utilized by community for nursery set up and gardening.
Expected Outcomes
The proposed learning center expects to provide following facilities for the community. Although the communities have free access to the information and use of the facility, certain charges apply to the visitors both nationals and internationals seeking to use the center. The revenues generated from the visitors will be used for the operational costs of the center. Expected outcomes from the center are as follows:
• Communities will have a communal learning space they can utilize for their meetings, interactions and conservation related activities.
• Youth will be motivated in biodiversity and habitat conservation through the uses of resources from the library such as books, videos, documentaries and publications.
• Partnership with international organisations and universities will help in introducing Satellite monitoring stations or learning centres.
• The centre will act as the melting pot of different ideas coming from very local people and internationals
• The centre will act as the main operational base for Nepal conservation field team and their projects in the region.
• A theatre, screening facility at the centre will act as the entertainment, education and uniting means for the villagers and local kids.
Note: The centre plans to exclusively serve the purpose of conservation and community. All the features mentioned will be subjective around the concern of sustainability and viability.
Operational Plan and Sustainability
The proposed learning centre is based on a hybrid social business model. Initially, the project follows nonprofit model by soliciting external funding from angel investors or international organisations which will be utilised for the development of the learning centre. Moreover, the funding will be utilised to train local communities to leverage the quality of existing resources. For instance, resident volunteers will be trained on the management of the learning centre and later will be remunerated for the services they provide to the visitors. Likewise, training programs to leverage the economy of the locals will be organised in the first phase on the fields of wildlife guiding, birding, beekeeping and community seed banks etc. Such trainings hope to create a network of entrepreneurs who can sell the products in the local or national market to sustain further training in the next phase.
In the next phase, the project seeks to start a social business of a café and accommodation services for international visitors, researchers, scholars and students. Furthermore, revenues will be generated from the potential stakeholders who use the space for organising their seminars and programs. The social business seeks to ensure a sustainable revenue stream for the centre. Thus, the management cost for running the centre will be dependent on the profit made through the services provided. The learning centre expects to make profit after initial phase of starting the centre, i.e., the second phase of the organisation.
The operational plan has been divided into 5 plans as described below.
Plan I: Construction and Resource Management
Phase I of the project covers the initial investment for the construction of the foundation and resource management for setting the learning center. The initial phase is estimated to complete in two years. The initial phase is dependent on the funding from the angel investors whose motive of investment aligns with the mission of this project.
Plan II: Access for the Locals
Once the construction of the center is completed, the center will be open for the locals. Certain capacity development training will be organized to leverage the skill of the locals such as wildlife guiding, birding, beekeeping, center management, language training and others. Such skills will open opportunities for the locals in wildlife tourism. Likewise, it will ensure capital for the learning center for the next phase.
Plan III: Cross Subsidisation
Besides providing non-profit services to the local community, the center will be accessible for both national and international visitors who seek to utilize the resources available. The center provides accommodation facilities for visitors and also provides services of café and gift shop. The revenues generated from the charges will cross subsidize the services to be provided for the locals.
Plan IV: Fundraising through international exchange hub
The project envisions opening a space for fundraising through international exchange hub. This international exchange hub will provide the local communities to learn from the international practitioners in the field of wildlife and biodiversity conservation. On the other hand, it will allow the international guests to contribute to the community and conservation of biodiversity in Bardia. In addition, the international exchange hub and a local visitor centre/cafe will help raise funds to ensure sustainability of the project.
Plan V: Partnerships for Satellite units (Learning Center and research station)
The profit accumulation from this centre helps the overall centre to sustain and scale up by reducing dependency on grants and donations. Partnership with international organisations, universities and practitioners (past visitors and prospective visitors) may establish network and credibility of the centre to be recognised as community learning centre for wildlife conservation and community development. Such partnership may also ensure the prospects for establishing Satellite Learning Centre to assist international research works. Furthermore, the partnerships with international stakeholders may provide opportunities for this centre to expand its services in the future.
Few things mentioned here are expected to support the financial sustainability of the operation of the centre -
• Café at the centre will be used by visitors who may require facilities from the centre. The visitors will be charged with a fee for the services provided.
• The meeting halls will act as a venue for stakeholders such as other organisations for their meetings or gatherings. Such events can also generate revenue for centre's sustenance.
• Accommodation facilities will be provided to international researchers, scholars, students or visitors, who will be charged for the services rendered.
• Community will get access to the internet and basic printing and photocopy services. Since there are no internet facilities around the site, such facilities can be used to generate income for the volunteers who will be serving the communities.
Budget as estimated in 2016 (current budget can be estimated to come with 50% additional cost)
An additional amount of $ 35,000 for the preliminary phase operations, before the centre becomes self-sustainable, will be required, making the final total budget of $ 466,200
A glimpse into Bardia
We look forward to your kind support for the making of this Conservation Base and also to your future visit to the Base once it is fully functional.