Strategic Planning and Management Initiatives in Nepal

1. Concluding Regional Workshop on Strategic Planning and Management of Natural Resources Strategic Planning and Management Initiatives in Nepal National Team, Nepal 24th – 26th November, 2004 Bangkok, Thailand

2. Initiation of Natural Resources Planning • 1956, Periodic Planning Concept was initiated with Five Year Planning period • Management and Planning of Natural Resources was the focus • Generally based on the concept of Sectoral Planning approach

3. Natural Resources of Nepal • Water Resources • Renewable Resources • Biomass Resources • Forest Resources • Agricultural Resources • Animal Resources • Alternative Energy Resources • Mineral Resources

4. Planning of Water Resources • Initially Various River based Planning Initiatives, i.e Kosi Master Plan, Sapta Gandaki Master Plan etc. • Governed by various Water Resources Policies Acts, and Rules and Regulation • 1995, Initiated the formulation of Water Resources Strategy and accomplished in 2002, National Water Plan in the Final shape • Based on the concept of SPM • Integrated Water Resources Management Concept • Initiated the process of River basin Management

5. Planning of Renewable Resources • Forest Resources • 1957, Nationalization of Forest • 1978, Forestry Master Plan developed for proper planning and Management of Forest Resources • 1983-84, Concept of Community Managed forestry program initiated based on the concept of stakeholders participation in planning and management of Forest resources • Later on the concept of leasehold forest, private forest management concept was also introduced • Successful stories of community and leasehold forestry program led to wider extension of these programs

6. Planning of Renewable Resources contd. • Agricultural Resources • Planning and Management of Agri-Resources started with the initiation of Periodic five year Plan in 1956 • Generally sectoral approach without any proper integration of Agriculture with Irrigation. • In mid 90’s Agricultural Perspective Plan was introduced for proper planning and management of agricultural resources

7. Planning of Renewable Resources contd. • Alternative Energy Resources • Though the planning and management of Alternative Energy Resources was initiated in mid 70’s, the real momentum started in mid 90’s with the formation of Alternative Energy Promotion center (AEPC). • AEPC’s main focus in the promotion and development of Alternative energy resources, such as Micro Hydro, Solar, Wind, biogas etc.

8. Planning of Mineral Resources • Nepal has no reliable statistics on mineral resources due to lack of intensive geological survey. • Simple preliminary surveys indicate that iron, copper, mica, gold, lead, and zinc, lime stone, slate, mineral well, coal, nickel, sulphur, graphite, dolomite are available in Nepal but the exploitation of the resources is yet to be done.

9. Initiation of SPM in Nepal • The History of Planning and Management of Natural resources entails that there was a need to promote an integrated, sustainable and self reliant natural resources development strategy and plan that accounts for an overall economic development of the country. • In this regard the project ''strategic planning and management on energy sector" has been started in Nepal with the collaboration from UNESCAP.

10. SPM in Nepal SPM Process in Nepal seeks to improve energy policy formulation and implementation in support of sustainable development of the energy sector. It strives to support the formulation of energy sector development plans with realistic and well-defined targets and implementation strategies, as well as collaboration among energy sector development stakeholders in formulation, implementation and monitoring of energy sector plans.

11. Process of Introducing SPM • Formation of National Team representing all relevant stakeholders • Conduction of Training on SPM • Preparation of National Study Report on “Energy Planning and Management Initiatives in Nepal and SPM process” • Participated in a Regional Workshop on SPM for exchange of experiences; • Conduct national workshop to consult with wider stakeholders on the findings of the national studies; • Based on the stakeholder consultation make recommendations to improve the energy development process in support of sustainable development;

12. Process of Introducing SPM contd. • Seeking policy-level acceptance and recognition of the outcome of the national studies; • Actively involved in sustaining the process of adopting SPM as an approach in formulating energy policies in Nepal. • Translation of the SPM Guidelines in Nepali language for better understanding and wider dissemination. • Initiatives started for Baseline Energy Database Management

13. Benefits of Introducing SPM Process • Wider Stakeholder Involvement and Consultation; • Integration of Energy with other Development activities; • Introduction of Decentralized Planning Process; • Incorporation of Gender, Social and Environmental Issues in Energy Planning Process • Transparency in Planning & Monitoring • Well managed baseline energy Database development

14. Challenges Faced • Inappropriate institutional structures and coordinating mechanisms • Lacking financial and human resources; • Energy efficiency, energy conservation, and renewable energy, such as wood energy, do not receive appropriate attention; • Insufficient data for documenting the baseline and developing scenarios for energy strategy development • Lack of Awareness about Stakeholder Involvement in planning process (identification and systematic involvement of stakeholders); • Political Commitment

15. Sustaining the SPM Process • Wider Dissemination of SPM guidelines by translation into local language • Process of institutional restructuring to accommodate increased involvement from different stakeholders • SPM training to be provided at decentralized level • Formulation of Energy Resources Strategy based on SPM approach • Update the available information, in particular on renewable energy as well as energy efficiency and conservation, to mainstream into energy policy

16. Sustaining the SPM Process • Mobilize resources for database improvement • Endeavouring consistent political support through broad-based political consultations • Awareness Raising on energy policy issues among politicians • Introduce non-formal training through NGOs and media

17. ThankYou