India, Nepal and Bhutan agree for joint conservation efforts

India, Nepal and Bhutan have agreed to join hands on an initiative for Kanchenjunga trans- boundary landscape to address biodiversity conservation in a sustainable way in the Himalayan region.
During a consultative experts' meeting here, the three countries decided to carry out joint conservation efforts in the Kanchenjunga landscape covering an area of about 16,000 square kilometres and stretching along eastern Nepal, Sikkim and northern parts of West Bengal in India and western Bhutan.
Kanchenjunga Landscape, which includes as many as twenty protected areas with rich biodiversity, is one of the important areas for biodiversity conservation in the Himalayan region.

Bhutan's Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests Dasho Sherub Gyaltshen stressed on the importance of conserving natural resources and said his country will extend its full commitment for such a noble programme.
Highlighting the trans-boundary initiatives, Eklabya Sharma of International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development said it was important to understand the contribution of mountains at global level and to appreciate them for their valuable services.
According to Nakul Chettri, the Program Coordinator of ICIMOD, the workshop will review and share findings of the feasibility assessments, finalise the country-wise landscape boundaries, discuss landscape conservation and development opportunities and agree on a work plan for additional activities that needs to be implemented.