How Community Anti-Poaching Units are Reviving Nepal’s Biodiversity?
May 13, 2026
One of CBAPU Bardia’s most successful initiatives has been our medicinal herb cultivation program, which addresses both conservation and community development goals simultaneously.
The Problem
Wild medicinal plants in and around Bardia National Park were facing increasing pressure from unsustainable harvesting. Local communities depended on these plants for traditional medicine and income, but their collection was depleting wild populations.
The Solution
We established community herb gardens where locals can cultivate high-value medicinal plants using sustainable practices. Families receive training in organic cultivation, processing, and marketing of herbs.
Impact
Over 50 families now earn regular income from cultivated herbs, reducing illegal harvesting in protected areas by 60%. The program has become a model for other conservation organizations in Nepal.
Future Plans
We’re expanding the program to include more species and developing partnerships with herbal medicine companies to ensure fair prices for farmers.
