Terms of Reference
For
Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Vulnerability and Proposing
Adaptation Options for enhancing Ecosystem and Community resilience in
Selected Corridors of TAL (Terai Arc Landscape)
Hariyo Ban
November 2012
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 for 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 the boundaries” approaches 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
directly dependent on Forests. According to a demographic report, sixty percent of TAL households own
less than one hectare (1.5 bigha) of land1. A study of seven TAL districts shows that 71% of the
populations do not grow sufficient food to last through the year (NPC 2001 – 2003)2. Further to this, the
impacts of climate change such as forest fires, floods, drought, and erratic rainfall have been reported in
Terai in recent years, thereby directly affecting sensitive ecosystems and local communities that are so
directly dependent upon them. This is indicative that poverty compounded with climate change/land
use impacts is likely to increase the severity of food scarcity in the TAL.
This climate vulnerability assessment of key corridors in the TAL is thus critical to enhance our
understanding of the adverse impacts of climate change on the ecosystem and livelihoods of poor and
vulnerable people. The corridors support the movement of flagship species across the national parks
and maintain biological connectivity with protected areas along the Churia range. They are also a critical
component of the Churia ecosystem, whose conservation is imperative to maintain the ecological and
economic significance of the Terai region. The corridors with their biodiversity and natural resources are
important for the faunal species and communities living across the landscape in the context of the local
community resilience to climate change. The vulnerability assessment will outline and prioritize
necessary adaptation strategies to follow in the future that will guide climate smart conservation in the
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TAL strategic plan (2004-2014)
National Planning Commission (2001-2003)
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landscape and help build resilience for local poor and vulnerable communities in the region. WWF Nepal
has conducted vulnerability assessments of Bramhadev Corridor, Karnali river corridor, Madi and
Handikhola critical habitats in 2012. This assignment will assess the vulnerability focused on Laljhadi,
Basanta, Khata, Barandabhar and Bagmati corridors, building on the methodology adopted for the
corridor level vulnerability assessments mentioned above. These two studies together will help to
create a larger picture of vulnerability for the TAL as a whole. The landscape level vulnerability
assessment will inform the infrastructure study and socio economic study conducted by Hariyo Ban
program.
The information gathered through this study will be used in the development of Community Adaptation
Plans (CAPs) following the Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA) Framework and include inform VA
work to be carried out by WWF for the Chitwan Annapurna Landscape (CHAL).
Study Objectives
1. To assess current climate trends and analyze future climate and development scenarios based
on the national and regional data, studies and models.
a. Develop future climate and development scenarios
b. Analyze the high resolution climate modeled dataset for future trends (10-20 years’
time period)
2. To conduct vulnerability assessment in the above mentioned sites using available methods like
Flowing Forward, , IPCC Vulnerability index, Vulnerability Assessments conducted by WWF and
other organizations etc. and following the LAPA framework (Government of Nepal ) to
a. assess the degree of vulnerability of ecosystems, ecological processes and communities
in an integrated manner;
b. identify most vulnerable sites in the assessment areas
c. identify vulnerable communities in the assessment areas
d. document indigenous responses adopted to address climate change impacts
3. Recommend adaptation strategies to address the impacts of climate change for local
communities, ecosystems, and key species in and around the corridors.
Methodology
The consultant will assess available secondary data, information, existing literature on climate change
trends and impacts in the Terai, previous VAs undertaken from various sources (including those already
carried out by WWF on other corridors in the TAL, and with local communities in some of the corridors
by Hariyo Ban Program and other organizations),and will undertake intensive consultation with relevant
experts, stakeholders and communities. Details of the methodology will be subject to further discussion.
The finalization of the vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies of the selected corridors will be based on
the methods prescribed by IPCC Livelihood Vulnerability Index Assessment 20073. The consultant will be
evaluated based on the vulnerability assessment methodology proposed, work plan and experts in the
team. The proposed methodology should include the following activities;
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Hariyo Ban Baseline (2012). A report on Hariyo Ban Baseline, Hariyo Ban, Kathmandu.
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 Analyze future climate scenarios and resulting impacts in corridors projecting climate for specific
areas
 Assess the impacts of climate change and development on ecosystem (forest, wetland and
riverine), their services and natural resources, including NTFPs , and ecosystem processes such
as wildlife movement
 Assess the impacts of climate change/climate variability on the livelihoods of corridor
dependent communities (especially poor and marginalized people and women) and their
vulnerability to climate induced disasters
 Assess vulnerabilities identified by VAs undertaken by WWF, CARE and other organizations
 Assess the adaptive capacity of the local communities and their surrounding ecosystems
 Assess local/indigenous knowledge on climate change, impacts, and adaptation practices
 Assess capacity needs, identify knowledge gaps and suggest interventions for target
stakeholders in developing and implementing adaptation plans
 Conduct stakeholder analysis and existing links with local / district government, I/ NGOs, Buffer
Zone Management Committees and research communities that need to be involved in
implementation of the adaptation plans in line with GoN frameworks and policies.
 Review the development plans of the local government (VDC/DDC) within the proposed
corridors, and identify opportunities and gaps to mainstream climate change adaptation to local
plan and policies
 Develop site specific local adaptation plans of actions to be used by WWF, local governing
bodies and other relevant organizations
Outputs/Deliverables
Deliverable
Inception report-The report should outline the methodologies to follow and
the expected results with major focus on the planning of the study
Due date
By 1st Week (WWF
will
provide
comments
within
one working week)
Preliminary report- The preliminary report should be submitted by week 8 and By 8th Week(WWF
should include the final outcome of the study. This is the draft report with all will
provide
the study information.
comments within one
working week)
Final report- The final report is the final presentation of the study. This should By 12th Week
include hardcopy and softcopy of the final presentation. The final report will
be accepted once all the comments from the technical team on preliminary
report are incorporated.
The consultation team should organize a landscape level meetings to assess
the landscape level vulnerability in coordination with the coordinator of the
process
Timeline
The consultant should complete vulnerability assessment and local adaptation plans of actions within 4
months effective from signing the contract.
Qualification and competency:
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The team should comprise of 3-5 individuals. The team with expertise in the field of climate science
(meteorology, hydrology with experience in bioengineering), geology, biodiversity, natural resource
management, livelihood, GESI and governance is desirable.
Supervision and Coordination
The technical team of WWF Nepal and the Hariyo Ban Program will supervise the research work
conducted by the consultant. Field staffs of WWF Nepal and consortium partners of Hariyo Ban Program
(CARE Nepal, NTNC and FECOFUN) will assist on facilitation and coordination of the field level activities.
The technical team responsible to supervise and coordinate the proposed VA comprises of following
people:
Dr. Judy Oglethorpe- COP, Hariyo Ban Program, WWF Nepal,
Dr. Sunil Regmi- Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator, Hariyo Ban Program, CARE Nepal,
Dr. Shant Jnawali- Biodiversity Coordinator, Hariyo Ban Program, WWF-Nepal,
Mr. Ugan Manandhar- Coordinator, Climate Change, Fresh Water & Energy, WWF Nepal, and
Mr. Ramesh Adhikari- Program Officer-Climate Change and Freshwater Adaptation, WWF Nepal
Mr. Ramesh Adhikari, WWF Nepal will be coordinating the activity with the team of consultants on
behalf of the technical team of WWF Nepal and the Hariyo Ban Program.
Location
The location for the proposed vulnerability assessment is Terai Arc landscape. In TAL, The following
corridors are Laljhadi, Basanta, Khata, Barandabhar, Bagmati are selected for this study and are as
shown in the map.
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