July 12, 2005
 Japanese Assistance for Forest Conservation Program
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The Government of Japan has decided to extend a grant of thirty-six thousand, five hundred and nineteen US Dollars (US$ 36,519), equivalent to two million, five hundred sixty-nine thousand, one hundred and twelve Nepalese Rupees (NPR 2,569,112), to The Institute for Himalayan Conservation (IHC), a Japanese NGO, for the implementation of the Project for Forest Conservation in Remote Villages in Myagdi and Parbat Districts. This grant is given in Japan's fiscal year 2005 under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects scheme of the Government of Japan.
The grant will be utilized for community-based development of villages through forest conservation. For this purpose, nurseries will be established in Narchyang and Salija VDCs of Myagdi and Parbat Districts respectively. Similarly ICH will provide support to cultivate skill among the community people to identify the needs of the area themselves and for the transfer of technical know-how in preparation of nurseries and in forest conservation.
Since its establishment in 1974, IHC has been initiating an integrated project for environmental conservation and village development in Myagdi District. IHC has been extending its support through cooperation with IHC-Nepal, the local NGO in Nepal, to implement various activities, including cultural preservation, nature conservation and transfer of appropriate technology for the mountain region. In the meantime, ICH has also assisted villagers in the use of appropriate technology and supported the promotion of an improved living standard within the communities of the region through income generation programs.
Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects is a scheme to provide financial assistance for social and economic development and emergency humanitarian assistance projects being undertaken by Japanese NGOs in developing countries and regions. The basic format of this scheme consists of six major areas, including support for economic and social development cooperation activities that have a direct effect at grassroots level and grant aid for NGO emergency humanitarian assistance projects etc.
It is expected that the project will contribute to the enhancement of the environment of the region as well as help improve the living standard of local people. At the same time, the project could further strengthen the friendly relationship between the people of Japan and the Kingdom of Nepal.
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