Call for Proposal

Call for Proposal on Profiling Biodiversity in Tnijure Milke Jaljales

Rural Reconstruction Nepal (RRN) is engaging on biodiversity conservation among many others through community-own principle linking to livelihood of deprived people that secure solidarity of citizen and natural resources in the remote part of Nepal.  We believe to promote green citizen that enjoy with indigenous practices that safeguarding traditional system for right to biodiversity and ecosystem services of indigenous people across Nepal. Aiming this, RRN is implementing a project Strengthening Community-Based Biodiversity Management through sustainable financial mechanism since 2014 in the Tinjure Milke Jaljale (TMJ). In doing so, our target area is all forms of lands of TMJ i.e. 585 sq.km. But, because of large area and geographically remote with budget complexity our piloted project is limited to three district of far eastern part of Nepal. Here project intervention area is Chainpur Muncipality of Sankhuwasabha district, Maiwakhola and AathRai Triveni Rural Municipalities of Taplejung district and Menchayam Municipality of Terhathum district. Biodiversity conservation, tourism promotion and green enterprise development are main thematic areas of this project. To swing with this project we conducted preliminary biodiversity assessment in the initial stage via literature review and cursory survey in the TMJ. To validate and improvement of the biodiversity profile we require ground-based data and information utilizing available latest methodology and technology. For this, we expected profiling of mammal, bird, floral and not limited to this.

Detail Term of Reference is available at www.rrn.org.np A full proposal with cover letter, acquiring methodology, team member with bio-data, expected budget and work plan to be submitted by 23rd July 2017 at; kamal.thapa@rrn.org.np or manjil@rrn.org.np

ToR for

An Assessment of Biodiversity in Tinjure Milke Jaljale (TMJ) eastern part of Nepal Himalaya

Background

The area of Tinjure Milke Jaljale (TMJ) lies far eastern part of Nepal is ecologically mosaic have four eco-region dominated by eastern Himalayan shrub/meadow and eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests restricted to above sea level (asl) 1700- 5000 meter. It is also home for 326 species of flora, 29 species of mammal, 46 species of bird, 25 species of insect, 8 species of fish, 6 species of reptile, 3 species of amphibian and 2 species of molluscs (IUCN 2002) including protected flora and fauna.  With this it is also rich in various species of rhododendron where 28 species is recorded out of 32 species found in Nepal Himalaya (IUCN 2002). However, data base produced by IUCN is inconsistent which make doubtful if not verify in the field. For example tiger and Sloth bear also included in the list, which is being unethical. And also TMJ lies in between two protected areas i.e. Kangchenjunga Conservation Area (KCA) and Makalu Barun National Park (MBNP). Both areas declared as an Important Biodiversity Areas (IBAs), but TMJ does not yet which is similar in the context of geography and environment. Because of TMJ is highly likely potential trekking destination, but, visited few trekkers about 5000 annually. This is mainly because of poor branding of available products and lack of swing with market. Thus, there require to assess a biodiversity profiling of TMJ utilizing available scientific technologies. The expected output is to publish a biodiversity profile of TMJ then would be marketing tool for benefits to local livelihood, conservationist, professional, scientist, manager, government, organization, trekkers and many more at the grass root level to international level. 

This assessment task is solo part of Strengthening Community-Based Biodiversity Management (SCBM) is implementing by Rural Reconstruction Nepal (RRN) in the three districts i. e.Sankhuwasabha, Terhathum, and Taplejung of eastern part of Nepal from 2014 to 2017. Biodiversity conservation, tourism promotion and green enterprise development are main theme that aims to reduce likely threats to biodiversity of the area through sustainable financial mechanism.

Objectives of the project:

The overall objective of this project is to promote ecotourism of TMJ for benefit of local people livelihood by publishing biodiversity profile. 

Scope of the program

An assessment of floral and faunal of TMJ would publish as a book that promotes ecotourism of TMJ. 

Specific objectives include;

• To assess birds, mammals and floral species 
• To map biodiversity profiling of TMJ

Methodology

Rapid biological field assessment methods (Core standardized methods for RBFA, CI) will be followed to assess the bio-diversity of TMJ. This method has been chosen due to its cost-effectiveness and ability to generate a reliable baseline data to serve wider conservation needs in short field period. 

At least three different sites will be intensively studied during the field period. Depending on site, two to seven days will be spent at a single site. 

Mammals

Diurnal transect surveys, indirect sign surveys, interviews and camera-trapping will be done to assess mammal species in TMJ.

Transect surveys will be conducted inside the TMJ following existing man-made trails. During the transect surveys, observers will look for signs of wildlife such as dens/nests, dung, tracks and feeding sites up to 5 m from the transect. When signs are detected, topography, land cover, altitude, slope and co-ordinates will be recorded. 

From the transect surveys, camera trapping sites will be determined. Camera-trap sites will be purposively selected with priority to ridges, trails, water-holes, dens, feeding stations and abundant signs site. Whenever feasible, nocturnal transects will be conducted using flashlights. These transects will be shorter and slower than diurnal transects.  

Informal interviews with locals will be conducted to generate information on local hunting patterns, conflict cases and trend of wildlife population. During the interviews, color photographs of mammal species will also be showed.

Birds

Dawn chorus recordings, point counts and 10-species (MacKinnon) lists will be used to assess bird diversity.

Each morning two to three 15- min stationary dawn chorus recordings will be conducted with minimum distance between stations of 200-250 m. Co-ordinates of the stations will be noted using GPS units. Bird recordings will be made using microphones. 

After dawn chorus recordings, 10-min point counts of 50-m radius will be conducted with minimum distance between stations of 200-250 m. During the counts, birds heard and sighted will be recorded.

For 10-species lists, species recorded from previous two-methods as well and others recorded will be noted in consecutive order. Then, a 10-species list will be compiled after the completion of whole field. To compensate for nocturnal birds, occasionally birds will be recorded 1-2 hours prior to dawn and after dusk.  

Floral

For assessment of woody plants, square quadrats of 20 m by 20 m will be laid out. Various parameters of trees inside the quadrat will be recorded. To assess shrubs,  two 5 m by 5 m quadrats at two corners of 20 m by 20 m quadrat will be laid. To assess herbs, four 1 m by 1 m quadrats at four corners of 20 m by 20 m quadrat will be laid. At least three voucher specimens will be collected for every unique species recorded. During collection, fertile samples will be given priority. Sterile specimens will be collected in case fertile samples cannot be found. 

Along with voucher specimen, photographs of all fertile and sterile samples of plants will be taken. 

Mapping

Supervised image classification and overlay of results on the map will be done with the help of GIS software.Landsat 8 image of the corresponding period will be downloaded (https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/). This image will undergo both supervised and unsupervised image classification. However, since the supervised classification offers more control leading to more accuracy, final map will be prepared from supervised image classification. For the purpose of accuracy assessment, ground-truth methods will be used. During the field period, co-ordinates of different land cover will be taken throughout TMJ using GPS units. These will be used for supervised image classification as well as accuracy assessment.

After the field, transect surveys, camera trap sites, quadrats laid, sites of bird survey as well as sighting, voucher specimen collection sites and other results will be overlaid on the map using GIS software. 

Expected Outputs/Indicators

An updated checklist of birds, mammals and plants.

A baseline data on birds, mammals and plants based on solid scientific methods. 

A detailed map of the TMJ area showing land cover along with results from the RBFA.

Deliverables

Detail work plan by July 10, 2017

Field data, compile report of each component by completion of each project by November 10, 2017

Final report, data base with photographs by November 20, 2017

Duration of the contract

August –November, 2017

Fund disbursement

The field cost will be disbursed in an advance upon submission detail work plan of project. The final payment would be disbursing after submission of final report of the project deliverables in the section V.

Details work plan