India and Nepal on February 25, 2026 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi to strengthen bilateral cooperation in forests, wildlife, environment, biodiversity conservation and climate change. The MoU was inked in the presence of Bhupender Yadav, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, and Madhav Prasad Chaulagain, Cabinet Minister for Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal. The pact commits both countries to formulate biodiversity conservation strategies at the landscape level with emphasis on shared key species including elephant, Gangetic dolphin, one-horned rhinoceros, snow leopard, tiger and vultures. The MoU also provides for strengthened forest and protected area management, restoration of wildlife corridors and interlinking areas to create transboundary conservation landscapes, combating forest and wildlife crime, strengthening the capacity of frontline staff of enforcement agencies, and promoting smart green infrastructure in biodiversity hotspots. It envisages exchange of knowledge, technical expertise and best practices and addresses emerging biodiversity conservation threats. India and Nepal share an open border of 1,751 km along protected areas such as Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Chitwan National Park and Shuklaphanta National Park, making corridor connectivity vital for species that move across the frontier. The MoU builds on existing bilateral frameworks and is expected to deepen the Terai Arc Landscape initiative, support Kailash Sacred Landscape cooperation, and contribute to shared ecosystems and sustainable management of natural resources in the region.
India and Nepal Sign MoU on Forests, Wildlife, Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change; Transboundary Conservation Landscapes Focus
India and Nepal on February 25, 2026 signed an MoU in New Delhi to strengthen cooperation on forests, wildlife, biodiversity and climate change, with focus on transboundary landscapes, key species like tiger, rhino, elephant, snow leopard, Gangetic dolphin and vultures.
Key facts
- India and Nepal on February 25, 2026 signed an MoU in New Delhi on cooperation in forests, wildlife, environment, biodiversity conservation and climate change
- Signed in presence of Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and Nepal Forests and Environment Minister Madhav Prasad Chaulagain
- Focuses on key shared species — elephant, Gangetic dolphin, one-horned rhinoceros, snow leopard, tiger and vultures — and transboundary conservation landscapes
- Provisions include strengthened protected area management, restoration of wildlife corridors, combating forest and wildlife crime, capacity building of frontline staff, and smart green infrastructure in biodiversity hotspots
- Builds on the Terai Arc Landscape and Kailash Sacred Landscape programmes across the 1,770 km India-Nepal border that includes Valmiki, Dudhwa, Chitwan and Shuklaphanta protected areas
Mains angle
Q: Discuss the strategic and ecological significance of the India-Nepal MoU on forests, wildlife and biodiversity signed on 26 February 2026 for transboundary conservation.
Answer (50 words):
India and Nepal signed an MoU on 26 February 2026 deepening forests, wildlife and biodiversity cooperation along their 1,770 km porous border. Ministers Bhupender Yadav and Madhav Prasad Chaulagain committed landscape-level strategies for tigers, one-horned rhinoceros, elephants, snow leopards, Gangetic dolphins and vultures, restoring corridors across Valmiki, Dudhwa, Chitwan, Shuklaphanta.
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SolveTap an option below. Correct or incorrect feedback appears instantly.
The India-Nepal MoU on Forests, Wildlife, Environment, Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Change signed on February 25, 2026 places emphasis on cooperation for which of the following key species?
The India-Nepal MoU explicitly lists shared key species: elephant, Gangetic dolphin, one-horned rhinoceros, snow leopard, tiger and vultures. These species move across the 1,770 km India-Nepal border spanning major protected areas such as Valmiki and Dudhwa tiger reserves in India and Chitwan and Shuklaphanta national parks in Nepal.
Source: Press Information Bureau
Frequently asked questions
What is the focus of the India-Nepal MoU signed on February 26, 2026?
The MoU strengthens cooperation in forests, wildlife, environment, biodiversity conservation and climate change. It emphasises transboundary conservation landscapes, restoration of wildlife corridors, combating wildlife crime, and joint conservation of shared species such as tiger, rhino, elephant, snow leopard, Gangetic dolphin and vultures.
Which ministries of the two countries signed the MoU?
India Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Nepal Ministry of Forests and Environment signed the MoU. It was inked in the presence of Union Minister Bhupender Yadav and Cabinet Minister Madhav Prasad Chaulagain.
Why are transboundary conservation landscapes important for India and Nepal?
India and Nepal share an open border of 1,751 km along major protected areas such as Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, Chitwan National Park and Shuklaphanta National Park. Species like tigers, rhinos and elephants move across this frontier, so corridor connectivity and joint management are essential for their conservation.
How does this MoU link to existing conservation programmes?
It builds on the Terai Arc Landscape initiative, which covers the Himalayan foothill forests across Uttarakhand, UP and Bihar and Nepal southern plains, as well as the Kailash Sacred Landscape cooperation involving India, Nepal and China for conservation of Mount Kailash region.
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