A buffer zone experience sharing programme on ten years of participatory biodiversity conservation initiative in Nepal was held at Hotel Himalaya on January 8, 2007. Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation through financial and technical support of UNDP, implemented Park and people programme (PPP) and follow-up Participatory Conservation Programme (PCP) since 1995, has been phased out in December, 2006. The programme was implemented in 7 protected areas of Nepal since last 10 years. This programme has resulted in the improvement of park people relationship thereby leading to living in harmony with nature. Strengthening of buffer zone institutions and promoting targeted community development activities along with capacity enhancement of both the communities as well as park/reserve staff were the interventions that the programme has undertaken. Mr. Shyam Bajimaya, Director General of DNPWC on his welcome and objective of the programme speech, stated the outcomes of the programme. Buffer zone management initiatives supported by Participatory Conservation Programme (PCP) were summarized by Jhamak Karki, Assistant Ecologist of the DNPWC, on the occasion. In this programme, remarks were made by Mr. Biswo Nath Upreti, Former Director General of DNPWC, Mr. Puran Bhakta Shrestha, Chief Warden of Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and chairpersons of buffer zone management committee of Khaptad National Park and Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. All appreciated the activities undertaken by PPP/PCP. Mr. Ghulam M Isaczai, Resident Representative of UNDP Nepal congratulated Government of Nepal and DNPWC in particular for continued support and leadership to this programme. He said that the biodiversity conservation has been a priority area of UNDP support. Mr Isaczai further expressed that UNDP is proud to celebrate the success of ten years participatory biodiversity conservation in Nepal. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Jamuna K. Tamrakar, Chief, Foreign Aid Coordination Division of Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation highlighted the past conservation efforts in Nepal. He stated that the buffer zone management programme through UNDP support were grounded on the reality that community based participatory biodiversity conservation can only be successful if people's participation is ensured in natural resource management. He stated that the participatory conservation approach is entirely rooted on the acceptance by the people making them the real stewards of conservation. He thanked UNDP, buffer zone communities and all involved staff to make a programme success.