India and Nepal sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in Environment and Biodiversity Conservation on 26 February 2026

Key facts

• The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Forests and Environment of Nepal in New Delhi.
• The agreement was signed in the presence of India’s Union Minister Bhupender Yadav and Nepal’s Cabinet Minister Madhav Prasad Chaulagain.
• The MoU aims to promote bilateral cooperation in forests, wildlife, environment, biodiversity conservation, and climate change.
• The partnership focuses on the restoration of wildlife corridors and interlinking areas to create transboundary conservation landscapes.
• The cooperation includes formulating biodiversity conservation strategies for key species such as elephant, Gangetic dolphin, rhinoceros, snow leopard, tiger, and vultures.
• The agreement provides for combating forest and wildlife crime and strengthening the capacity of frontline staff in enforcement agencies.
• Both nations will collaborate on promoting smart green infrastructure in biodiversity hotspots and exchanging technical expertise.