The Terai Arc Landscape supports 6.7 million people for subsistence. It also represents a globally unique ecosystem that harbours habitat and species diversity in Terai Duar Savanna grassland, tropical forests and wetlands.

As livelihood issues and biodiversity conservation are  inextricably linked in the Terai Arc Landscape, the project  supported local communities in the development of livelihood opportunities to reduce pressure on the forest resources.

The project enhanced livelihood opportunities through promotion of off farm, farm-based and non timber forest products (NTFP)-based income generation. More than 70 households benefited from cultivation of alternate crop Mentha in Khata Corridor and Royal Bardia National Park Buffer Zone. Mentha farming enhanced income generation of farmers and at the same time, reduced vulnerability of crop depredation by wildlife. 15 income generation groups formed and supported with revolving funds for micro-credit operation aiming at sustainable financing to income generating activities. During the implementation the local communities contributed more than 40% to the cost of project activities.

A major achievement of the project was the mobilisation of local communities in Community Based Anti-Poaching Operation (CBAPO). Local communities organized in the CBAPOs regularly patrol the community and national forests to control illegal activities such as illegal logging, encroachment, poaching etc.

The study Livelihoods Outcomes: A bottleneck level Livelihoods Outcomes of Community Forestry Users,  Lamahi  Nepal,  detailed the different aspects of Community Forestry Users Livelihoods Changes especially in their assets, capacity, governance practices, resources allocation and investments, institutional process, livelihoods issues, livelihoods strategy, policy implications. Future challenges for user's livelihoods are also mentioned. There are solid recommendations; building on that the project/program or government authority may design future livelihoods improvement program in similar bottleneck in terai area. (see above only available in Nepali).

Sustainable livelihoods approaches used in:
Over all Change Assessment (evaluation)
Livelihoods Strategy and Vulnerability Context Mapping and
Livelihood Outcomes Analysis of  Bottleneck Level Community Forestry Users in Lamahi, Nepal