The governments of Nepal and the Kingdom of Bhutan invited Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks for a visit from 2 to 8 April. The objective of the trip is to exchange views on forest development, nature conservation and climate action including bilateral meetings with the ministers of agriculture, forestry and environment of the two countries.
In Nepal, meetings have been planned with the Minister of Population and Environment, Jaya Dev Joshi, and Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation, Shankar Bhandari. Topics will include the sustainable development of villages and the restoration of forests and agricultural mountain regions. The competing priorities of forest development, nature protection and rebuilding the country after the severe earthquake in 2015 will also be addressed.
In Bhutan, Minister Hendricks will be meeting with Prime Minister Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay and Minister of Agriculture and Forests Lyonpo Yeshey Dorji. German support for sustainable forest management and species conservation in Bhutan will be at the top of the agenda. In addition, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, King of Bhutan, will grant an audience to Minister Hendricks.
The Federal Environment Ministry supports a project on sustainable forest development in Nepal and Bhutan with funds from its International Climate Initiative (ICI). Minister Hendricks will visit the Knowledge Park at Godavari and the mountain village Kalchebesi in Nepal. In Bhutan, she will view a forest management area in Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Park to learn about the objectives and results of the project. One aim is to develop an approach for mountain villages that extends climate-friendly village-level agriculture to encompass socio-economic aspects and issues of climate resilience. The project supports communities in estimating their contribution to climate action through forest management to allow a more deliberate steering of their efforts.