National Wetlands Policy, 2059 (2003).

The primary goal of the National Wetlands Policy is to conserve and manage wetlands resources wisely and in a sustainable way with local people’s participation. The policy also aims to put the conservation and management aspects of wetlands conservation within the framework of broader environmental management. The major objective of the policy is to involve local people in the management of Nepal’s wetlands and conserve wetlands biodiversity with wise use of wetlands resources.
Other Objectives of the Policy are: Identify Nepal’s wetlands and prepare detailed management plans for each of them to prevent degradation and disappearance of wetlands with long-term conservation and development initiatives for wise use of wetlands resources by implementing the management plans on the basis of priorities, potentiality and urgency; Identify local people’s knowledge, skill and practice regarding wetlands and promote their innovations and traditional research for the sustainable use of wetlands resources; Conserve and manage wetlands according to the needs and on the basis of scientific knowledge and technology; Promote women’s participation for the conservation, management and wise use of wetlands; Gradually implement international treaties for wetlands conservation; Disseminate information to raise public awareness about wetlands.
The Wetlands Management Policy aims to promote the following issues: improve local people’s participation while maintaining environmental integrity according to the terms and spirit of the Ramsar Treaty; conduct social and economic development activities that are advantageous to local residents and conserve natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations; conserve endangered and common wildlife species, aquatic fauna and other genetic sources depending on wetlands; develop environmental friendly tourism with minimum environmental impacts and mobilize acquired profits, as far as practicable, for wetlands management and the benefit of local people; ensure local people’s participation in the preparation of work plans for the conservation and management of wetlands; identify the problems pertaining to wetlands management and implement the management action plan prepared with local people’s participation to address the issues at the local level; formulate wetlands management plan and make necessary legal and administrative arrangements for the representation of local people and organizations in the management committee.