Fostering Transboundary Cooperation Through Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in the Eastern Himalaya

The paper highlights how OECMs can strengthen transboundary biodiversity conservation in the Panchthar–Ilam–Taplejung (PIT) corridor of eastern Nepal and adjoining Indian landscapes within the Kangchenjunga–Singalila Complex, a globally significant biodiversity hotspot. The initiative, led by ICIMOD in collaboration with the Red Panda Network, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, CBD Secretariat, and IUCN WCPA, aims to integrate biodiversity protection with community empowerment, traditional ecological knowledge, and sustainable livelihoods. It recognizes Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) as key conservation stewards and aligns with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) targets on ecosystem restoration, OECM expansion, and inclusive governance. By promoting habitat restoration, ecological connectivity, eco-tourism, and carbon sequestration, the envisioned OECM enhances climate resilience and socio-economic well-being. The project’s success rests on inclusive planning, policy harmonization between Nepal and India, and diversified financing mechanisms such as eco-tourism and carbon credits. Key challenges include formalizing transboundary governance, securing long-term funding, and integrating Indigenous knowledge into national policies, but the initiative serves as a model for community-led, cross-border conservation that supports both nature and people in the Eastern Himalaya.