DHULIKHEL, May 19: Programme partners working on wildfire risk reduction in Nepal have reviewed progress under the PunarUtthan Programme, which is piloting nature-based solutions (NbS) to strengthen ecosystem resilience and reduce fire hazards across vulnerable regions, the organizers said in a press release.
According to the press release, the review meeting, held in Dhulikhel from May 14 to 17, brought together representatives from implementing and research organisations including Rupantaran, the Global Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies (GIIS), Nature Media Network (NMN), and Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM), along with technical experts and programme leaders.
Opening the session, Country Director Kiran Ojha described the initiative as an action-research model where learning emerges directly from field implementation. He stressed that collaboration and adaptive approaches are central to the programme’s success.
The press release stated that the discussions come amid rising wildfire risks across Nepal. Data presented during the meeting showed more than 40,000 fire incidents between 2001 and 2023, affecting ecosystems, agriculture, and an estimated 7.5 million people, particularly in Lumbini, Karnali, and Sudurpaschim provinces.
Procedure to be developed for using helicopters in wildfire con...
Participants reviewed progress made between March 2025 and April 2026, during which field interventions were implemented in Arghakhanchi, Kapilvastu, Surkhet, and Kailali. These sites are testing nature-based approaches such as composting, irrigation and recharge ponds, agroforestry systems, and green firebreaks aimed at reducing fuel loads and improving ecosystem resilience, the press release further mentioned.
According to organizers, 35 different NbS practices are currently being piloted across 26 community forests, with efforts focused on evaluating their effectiveness in diverse ecological and social settings.
Programme lead Dr Narayan Gyawali said the next phase will prioritize evidence generation and documentation. He emphasized the need to clearly demonstrate what works in reducing wildfire risks at the community level and highlighted the importance of strengthening inclusion under Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI).
GIIS Director Dr Uttam Babu Shrestha underlined the importance of linking field implementation with rigorous research, noting that timely and reliable data is essential for measuring impact and informing policy.
KUSOM’s Dr L.B. Pun also stressed the role of academic institutions in translating field experiences into actionable knowledge for policymakers.
According to the press release, the meeting also reviewed work plans, budgets, and coordination mechanisms for the coming year, with a focus on improving monitoring systems and strengthening collaboration among partner organisations.
The PunarUtthan Programme, implemented by Lutheran World Relief in partnership with national institutions from March 2025 to January 2029, aims to enhance wildfire resilience, restore ecosystems, and improve livelihoods through locally led interventions. It is supported under the REDAA initiative, managed by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) with funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
