India-Nepal Pact Strengthens Environmental Conservation Efforts

India and Nepal Unite to Protect Wildlife and Fight Climate Change

India and Nepal have signed a new agreement to boost cooperation on wildlife protection and environmental conservation. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), finalised on February 25, aims to strengthen joint efforts in forest management, biodiversity preservation, and climate change action. Officials from both nations believe the deal will help safeguard shared ecosystems and natural resources across the region.

The agreement was signed by Bhupendra Yadav, India's Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Madhav Prasad Chaulagain, Nepal's Cabinet Minister for Forests and Environment. It marks the first formal step toward creating transboundary conservation landscapes between the two countries, as no such protected areas or wildlife corridors existed before.

Under the MoU, both nations will focus on restoring critical wildlife corridors and interconnected habitats. Key species like elephants, Gangetic dolphins, rhinoceroses, snow leopards, tigers, and vultures will receive special attention through landscape-level conservation strategies. The deal also encourages joint research, resource sharing, and policy alignment to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss.

India and Nepal already share a long history of environmental collaboration, being parties to multiple international agreements. However, this new pact deepens their commitment by promoting practical measures, such as habitat restoration and sustainable management of forests. The goal is to ensure long-term protection for the region's rich natural heritage.

The MoU sets a framework for closer India-Nepal cooperation in managing shared ecosystems. By prioritising wildlife corridors and species protection, the agreement aims to create a more resilient natural environment. Both countries will now work on implementing joint conservation plans under this new partnership.