:: 25 November 2006

.

In this issue

• Message from RUPES Project Office
• Global Event of Payments for Environmental Services
• Environmental Services Payments Ready to Flow 
• Featured link
• New Publication

.
Message from RUPES Project Office

RUPES and its partners are preparing a Global Event of Payment for Environmental Services. A scientific workshop (22-23 January 2007) is designed for scientists working on research on payment for environmental services. A 'practice' workshop will also be held (25-26 January 2007) under the theme 'Making PES Economically Feasible and Pro-Poor'. Registration is closed on 12 December 2006.

A good news came from RUPES Kulekhani. Upland people of Kulekhani watershed will receive their first ever reward for environmental services provided to Nepal's hydropower system. RUPES Kulekhani will provide some technical assistance for the implementation of two pilot projects identified by the community under the agreement. Great work Shyam!

Beria Leimona (l.beria@cgiar.org)
RUPES Project Officer

Top.

Global Event of Payments for Environmental Services

Market-based approaches to environmental services have become a focus of interest in recent years.  In principle, such markets are an opportunity for people living in and around forests to enhance their livelihoods through not only economic benefits (rewards) but also through increased social and human capital (recognition).

Globally, implementation of payments for environmental services (PES) initiatives has been increasing in popularity. In Asia, there are many initiatives/emerging projects and research related to the development of markets of environmental services.

To move towards sharing all lessons learned and synthesis in environmental transfer benefit sharing, an opportunity is offered through a global event of payment for environmental services to be held on 22-27 January 2007 in Mataram, Lombok, Indonesia. 

To find more about the global event, visit www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/rupes

Top

Environmental Services Payments Ready to Flow

Upland people of Kulekhani watershed will receive their first ever reward for environmental services they provide to Nepal's hydropower system soon. After more than three years of intensive work, RUPES Kulekhani program has been able to convince Makwanpur District Development Committee (DDC), a local government body of the district that houses Kulekhani I and II hydropower plants, to establish an Environment Management Special Fund (EMSF).

Makwanpur DDC will deposit 20 percent of hydropower royalty it receives from Kulekhani hydropower plants in this fund. This fund will support conservation and development activities in Kulekhani watershed. Upland people will propose projects to the fund. A committee consisting of representatives of upland committees, hydropower developer, district and village level government bodies will review and recommend projects to be supported by the EMSF. 

Recently, upland people identified two pilot projects, one on awareness building and one on goat farming for poor households, and submitted them to the fund management committee for approval. 

Last week, the committee discussed and recommended these projects. It also requested RUPES Kulekhani program to provide some technical assistance for the implementation of these projects. In the next few weeks, Makwanpur DDC is expected to contract users' groups of upland people for the implementation of these projects. [Shyam K. Upadhyaya]. 

Top