**Executive Summary**
On February 23, 2023, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Forests and Environment of Nepal. The MoU aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation in areas related to forests, wildlife, environment, biodiversity conservation, and climate change. This includes the restoration of wildlife corridors, the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise, and the implementation of best practices.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose and Scope of MoU:**
* Promote cooperation in forests, wildlife, environment, biodiversity conservation, and climate change.
* Restore wildlife corridors and interlinking areas.
* Exchange knowledge, technical expertise, and best practices.
* **Specific Areas of Cooperation:**
* Formulate biodiversity conservation strategies at the landscape level.
* Focus on key species like elephants, Gangetic dolphins, rhinoceroses, snow leopards, tigers, and vultures.
* Strengthen forest and protected area management.
* Restore corridors and interlinking areas for transboundary conservation landscapes.
* Address biodiversity conservation threats and combat forest and wildlife crime.
* Strengthen the capacity of frontline staff of enforcement agencies.
* Promote smart green infrastructure in biodiversity hotspots.
* **Expected Outcomes:**
* Deepen India-Nepal cooperation in wildlife and biodiversity conservation.
* Contribute to the protection of shared ecosystems.
* Promote sustainable management of natural resources in the region.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Government of India (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change)
* **Impact:** Enhanced collaboration with Nepal on environmental issues; contributes to achieving multilateral environmental agreement goals.
* **Action Required:** Implement the MoU by engaging in cooperative activities with Nepal, such as knowledge exchange, joint conservation projects, and coordinated enforcement efforts.
**Stakeholder:** Government of Nepal (Ministry of Forests and Environment)
* **Impact:** Increased support for conservation efforts, access to Indian expertise and resources, improved management of shared ecosystems and transboundary wildlife habitats.
* **Action Required:** Actively participate in collaborative initiatives with India, contribute technical expertise, and align national conservation strategies with the objectives of the MoU.
**Stakeholder:** Frontline Staff of Enforcement Agencies (Both India and Nepal)
* **Impact:** Enhanced capacity to combat forest and wildlife crime, improved skills in biodiversity hotspot management, and increased knowledge of shared ecosystems.
* **Action Required:** Participate in training programs, workshops, and joint operations designed to strengthen enforcement capabilities and promote effective conservation practices.
Key Entities Referenced
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): An agreement between the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India and the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal to strengthen cooperation in forests, wildlife, environment, biodiversity conservation and climate change.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The Indian ministry responsible for signing the MoU to strengthen cooperation in forests, wildlife, environment, biodiversity conservation and climate change with Nepal.
Ministry of Forests and Environment: The Nepalese ministry responsible for signing the MoU to strengthen cooperation in forests, wildlife, environment, biodiversity conservation and climate change with India.
India: One of the countries involved in the MoU for cooperation in environmental and wildlife conservation.
Nepal: One of the countries involved in the MoU for cooperation in environmental and wildlife conservation.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
India and Nepal sign MoU to strengthen
cooperation in Forests, Wildlife, Environment,
Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change
Posted On: 25 FEB 2026 8:08PM by PIB Delhi
Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, today signed a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of
Nepal, to promote bilateral cooperation in the areas of forests, wildlife, environment, biodiversity
conservation and climate change, including restoration of wildlife corridors and interlinking areas, and
exchange of knowledge, technical expertise and best practices.
The signing ceremony took place in New Delhi, in the presence of Shri Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister
of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, and Shri Madhav Prasad Chaulagain,
Cabinet Minister for Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal.
India and Nepal are endowed with rich biodiversity and natural heritage and have established extensive
networks of Protected Areas in their respective territories. Both countries are also Parties to several
multilateral environmental agreements and conventions. In view of the shared ecosystems and
transboundary wildlife habitats, a need was felt to further strengthen coordination and cooperation
between the two Governments in the fields of forests, wildlife, environment, biodiversity conservation and
climate change.The MoU envisages cooperation in formulation of biodiversity conservation strategies at the landscape
level with emphasis on key species such as elephant, Gangetic dolphin, rhinoceros, snow leopard, tiger
and vultures. It also provides for strengthened forest and protected area management; restoration of
corridors and other interlinking areas towards creation of transboundary conservation landscapes;
addressing biodiversity conservation threats; combating forest and wildlife crime; strengthening the
capacity of frontline staff of enforcement agencies; and promoting smart green infrastructure in
biodiversity hotspots.
The signing of this MoU is expected to further deepen India–Nepal cooperation in conservation of wildlife
and biodiversity, and contribute to protection of shared ecosystems and sustainable management of natural
resources in the region.
*****
VM/GS/SK
(Release ID: 2232834) Visitor Counter : 271
Read this release in: Urdu , Telugu