WDPCA: Protected and Conserved Areas in Nepal with OECM Data

This geospatial dataset maps marine and terrestrial protected areas and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) across Nepal. Produced by the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC) and IUCN, the records are updated monthly to support international biodiversity reporting. The data serves as the primary source for tracking Nepal's progress toward the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Use Cases

• Calculating the percentage of Nepal's land area under protection using geospatial boundary coordinates.
• Identifying biodiversity risks for commercial projects by overlaying project sites with WDPCA conservation polygons.
• Monitoring land-use changes within specific protected area zones through integration with Global Forest Watch services.

Strengths

• Official UN-backed data source
• Monthly update frequency
• Available in four GIS formats including GeoJSON and GeoPackage

Limitations

• Specific row counts and column schemas are not provided in the source metadata
• Data accuracy depends on the reporting frequency and transparency of national government stakeholders

Provenance

Source

The UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)

Collection Method

Compiled from government reports and stakeholder submissions through the Protected Planet Initiative.

Freshness

Updated on a monthly basis.

Geography

Nepal