CONNECT will make a transformative, sustainable and scalable contribution to conservation and livelihoods in the ShNP, Nepal and beyond. Its impact will contribute to SDGs 1- No poverty, SDG 2- Zero Hunger, SDG 3-,SDG 7- Affordable and clean energy, SDG 8- Decent work and economic growth, SDG 13-climate action and SDG 15-. CONNECT’s three mutually reinforcing outcomes namely improved conservation approaches, enhanced livelihoods underpinned by a strengthened market system and interdisciplinary coordination and knowledge generation translate into positive and sustainable conservation and multi-dimensional poverty alleviation.

Outcome (1)- ShNP and buffer zone management actors from five municipalities are more effectively implementing sustainable, climate resilient conservation strategies. The indicators that measure the achievement of outcome 1 are- % of fire incidents the fire response team is responding to, water level in four wetlands around the year, % increase in forest biomass in targeted buffer zone areas, % increase in engagement of buffer zone communities in paid conservation work, and % increase in hotspot monitoring.

Outcome (2)- 1388 buffer zone households achieve increased sustainable income and security within a strengthened market system. The indicators that measure the achievement of outcome 2 are -net attributable additional income per household in targeted communities, number of households who have increased food security as a result of project initiatives, % reduction of human wildlife conflict (HWC) in target communities, % reduction in HWC claims/ payouts, % increase in sales volume of intermediary/ supporting service actors.

Outcome (3)-The park authority, five local and one provincial government are implementing improved interventions underpinned by current research into green development, and best practices green infrastructure guidelines. The indicators that measure the achievement of outcome 3 are -% of stakeholder groups including conservation and development stakeholders and marginalised groups, who agree that the park and buffer zone management plan is operating as per their needs and recommendations, number of local and provincial governments which integrate the “Wildlife friendly infrastructure development guidelines 2022” into their plans, number of conservation and development decision makers from ShNP, its buffer zones and its wider region which attend workshops showcasing findings and recommendations of project commissioned research, and number of local organisations strengthened.

This project is funded by the Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) and is being implemented in consortium partnership with the Department of National Parks and wildlife conservation (DNPWC), Renewable World (RW), Zoological Society of London (ZSL), and Nature Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC).