TERMS OF REFERENCE
Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Identifying Adaption Needs in the
Terai Arc Landscape
Background
The Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) stretches along the lowland Nepal-India border
and encompasses 11 Protected Areas and forest corridors. TAL harbours several
of Asia’s important wildlife species, including the iconic tiger, Greater one-horned
rhinoceros and Asian elephant. All three are flagship species of the landscape.
TAL-Nepal is the largest conservation undertaking of the Government of Nepal
(GoN) in the conservation history of Nepal. For the past eight years, WWF has
been closely involved in supporting the TAL Program. The “conservation beyond
boundaries” approach of creating and maintaining habitat connectivity between
core restoration areas in TAL has been a transformational strategy for WWF. It
has expanded WWF’s vision and scope, both locally and regionally, to include
community participation and trans-boundary co-operation. WWF has been
engaged in initiatives such as: species conservation and monitoring; working with
local communities on development of alternative livelihoods; supporting
government agencies to strengthen law enforcement, especially related with
wildlife trade; and promoting environmental awareness amongst communities
and policy makers on conservation within the broad framework and vision of the
TAL and according to the TAL-Nepal Strategic Plan (2004-2014).
Of the 6.7 million inhabitants of TAL, over 60% live below the national poverty
line whose livelihoods are intricately associated with Forests. According to the
demographic report, 60% of TAL households own less than one hectare (1.5
bigha) of land. A study of seven TAL districts shows that 71% of the population
does not grow sufficient food to last through the year (NPC 2001 – 2003)1.
Further to this, the impacts of climate change such as unusual forest fires, floods,
drought, and erratic rainfall have been reported in the Terai in recent years,
thereby adversely affecting the already precarious natural ecosystem as well as
local livelihoods. This is indicative of the fact that poverty compounded with
climate change impacts is likely to increase the severity of food scarcity in TAL.
It is therefore an imperative to conduct vulnerability assessment of critical areas
within TAL to enhance our understanding on the adverse impacts of climate
change on the ecosystem and livelihoods of poor and vulnerable people. The
study will be focused in Karnali river corridor, Brahmadev corridor and Madi and
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National Planning Commision (2001-2003)
Hadi khola of Chitwan districts. The former two corridors maintain biological
connectivity with protected areas. While Brahmadev corridor represent part of the
Churia which is a fragile landscape; hence its conservation is important to
maintain the ecological and economic significance of the Terai region; Karnali is
a flood plain. Madi valley of Chitwan is a region traversed by several river
systems which cause immense damage to agricultural land and affects the
livelihoods of many during the monsoon.
Thus, this study will be a guiding document to develop adaptation strategies for
these areas and thereby implement appropriate activities to build resilience of the
ecosystem and poor and vulnerable communities in the face of changing climate.
Objectives
1. To conduct community-based participatory learning process to:
- assess the degree of vulnerability
- identify most vulnerable sites
- identify vulnerable communities
- identify local responses adopted to address climate change impacts
2. To recommend adaptation strategies to address the impacts of climate
change
Expected Outputs
The consultant will be evaluated based on the proposed methodology, work plan
and experts in the team. The vulnerability assessment should:
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Assess the impacts of climate change on the ecosystem, its services,
natural resources and NTFPs
Assess the impacts of climate change on the livelihoods of people and
their vulnerability from climate induces disasters
Assess vulnerabilities identified by other VAs undertaken by WWF and
other organizations
Assess the adaptive capacity of the local communities
Assess local knowledge on climate change and its impacts
Assess capacity building needs / responses for target stakeholders in
developing adaptation approaches
Identify (and links made with) important stakeholders within local / district
government, other NGOs, Buffer Zone Management Committees and
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research communities that need to be involved in implementation of the
adaptation initiative
Assess the development plan of the local government and identify
opportunities and gaps to mainstream climate change in the local plan and
policies
Develop site-specific local adaptation plans to be used by local governing
bodies
The consultant will assess available secondary data and also undertake intensive
consultation with relevant experts, stakeholders and communities. The consultant
is also encouraged to incorporate “Flowing Forward”, an ecosystem-based
vulnerability assessment methodology, developed by WWF (details of the
methodology will be discussed later with the selected consultant).
Time line
The project duration is 3 months with effect from the date of signing of the
contract.
Budget
Total budget for this work should not exceed USD 10,000.