Nepal, May 27 -- Nepal, which already protects 23 percent of its land, is now considering expanding this to 30 percent in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) 2022. Among the 23 targets adopted at the Convention on Biological Diversity's COP15, the goal of conserving 30 percent of land and sea by 2030-popularly known as 30x30-has received particular attention.

Unsurprisingly, the target has drawn both strong support from conservation advocates and criticism from others. Conservationists in Nepal are excited. For years, they have argued that Nepal's biodiversity and ecosystems are not adequately protected, particularly in the mid-hills. Despite several attempts, establishing additional protected areas in t...