In 1993, Nepal passed the Fourth Amendment to the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act to address natural resource problems occurring on lands adjacent to national park boundaries. The Act gives HMG authority to designate buffer zones on lands adjacent to national parks or reserves.

Buffer zones are areas in and around national parks and wildlife reserves created to lessen biotic pressure and for the sustainable management of natural resources. The creation of buffer zones is aimed at motivating local communities in the participatory management of forest resources to fulfill their needs of forest products through the User Groups. The government has made provisions to plough back 30 to 50 percent of the revenues earned by the respective parks to community development activities such as skill development and income generating programs to improve their living condition and, health and sanitation as well as adult and non-formal education, to generate awareness. The long-term objective is to gradually involve the local people in nature and wildlife conservation.

The Chief Warden is responsible for managing forest resources in designated buffer zone areas, but the law encourages him to form User Group Committee (UGCs) to promote local involvement in forest management.

• NEPAL'S BUFFER ZONE LEGISLATION: LEGAL AND POLICY ISSUES
• Participatory Conservation Programme (PCP)