01 June 2000

Kathmandu, Nepal: Kristiina Mikkola, a UN Volunteer from Finland, is fully-funded by her Government for her assignment as programme officer in the environment and natural resources management section of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in Nepal.

One of four programme officers attached to the office, Kristiina has been working since December 1999 in the areas of community-managed biodiversity conservation and natural resources, protected area and buffer zone management, sustainable development and rural energy systems. Her duties as a programme officer entail preparation and appraisal of proposals, monitoring on-going projects through field visits and review of national policies and strategies to identify areas for UNDP support.

Her current portfolio of projects consists of a community development programme, a biodiversity conservation project in the Upper Mustang region and a Himalayan ecoregional programme. She also participates in aid coordination activities.

Formulation of a national sustainable development strategy has been initiated recently, and the objective of the programme in Upper Mustang is to conserve biodiversity and to preserve globally important habitats and species in the region with active participation of local communities.

"The project concept is a fascinating combination of biodiversity and cultural heritage conservation built on community participation," she notes, adding that Upper Mustang is under consideration for nomination as a World Heritage site. "Cultural values and religion of the people are inseparable from the natural environment, all influencing the livelihood strategies of the people."

Working in Nepal has so far been an interesting experience, she says. "Professionally my duties are of course very exciting and rewarding. I have learned a lot about ways and means of doing things in Nepal because more than 90 per cent of the country office team consists of national staff. I have also been fortunate in a way that I have been able to complete several field visits, each giving different but valuable insights to the lives of the rural poor."

She says her background in business consultancy has given her a good grasp of the essentials on planning and managing projects. "This is my first time in Nepal, but thanks to my previous exposures to Indonesia and Sri Lanka it has been easy to adapt to local lifestyles and culture."