South Asia have already initiated the Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECM) recognition processes. According to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Decision 14/8 (2018); OECM is defined as:
“A geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in situ conservation of biodiversity, with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio-economic, and other locally relevant values.”
The following steps are being undertaken across South Asia to advance the identification, recognition, and effective implementation of OECMs.
Step-wise Process for OECM Identification, Recognition and Reporting
- Step 1. Identification: Identify potential OECMs outside formal protected areas, including community-managed, Indigenous, private, government-managed, and other conserved areas.
- Step 2. Screening: Screen candidate areas against the CBD/IUCN OECM definition and criteria.
- Step 3. Participation and Rights: Engage rights-holders and stakeholders through inclusive participation; respect customary governance systems and ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) where applicable.
- Step 4. Assessment: Assess the area’s governance and management arrangements, biodiversity values, and evidence of positive and sustained long-term conservation outcomes.
- Step 5. Recognition: Verify qualifying sites through an appropriate national institutional mechanism and formally recognize them as OECMs.
- Step 6. Documentation: Document site boundaries, location, governance and management arrangements, biodiversity values, conservation outcomes, and other required information.
- Step 7. Reporting: Submit verified OECM information through the national reporting mechanism to the World Database on OECMs (WD-OECM).
- Step 8. Monitoring and Reassessment: Monitor biodiversity outcomes, governance, and management effectiveness, and periodically reassess sites to ensure they continue to meet the criteria for OECM status.
Nepal has already developed an OECM Plan of Action and OECM Guidelines. Capacity-building and awareness-raising activities are ongoing through various stakeholders, including government agencies, INGOs, civil society organizations, and Indigenous Peoples’ networks. In addition, OECM approaches are being piloted at the local level by organizations such as WWF, IUCN, NTNC, and Indigenous Peoples’ national networks. However, to date, no area in Nepal has been formally recognized as an OECM.
For more information about OECMs, please visit the OECM Platform, https://oecm.info/ a one-stop resource for information and guidance on OECMs.
