WWF Nepal
WWF Nepal is a non-profit conservation organization established in 1993 that operates across four landscapes in Nepal delivering wildlife, freshwater, forest, and climate programs in partnership with the Government of Nepal, local communities, and international donors including GEF, the UK Government, and the Rockefeller Foundation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersKathmandu, Nepal
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What WWF Nepal does
WWF Nepal (formally WWF Nepal Programme) is the Nepal country office of the World Wide Fund for Nature, established in 1993 with roots in WWF's 1967 rhino conservation work in Chitwan. The organization operates as a non-profit conservation entity headquartered in Baluwatar, Kathmandu, working across five thematic areas — Wildlife, Freshwater, Forests, Climate and Energy, and Governance — delivered through four conservation landscapes: Terai Arc Landscape, Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, Sacred Himalayan Landscape, and National Conservation Priority Areas. Its work spans flagship species programs (tigers, rhinos, snow leopards, vultures, river dolphins, gharials), protected area management, freshwater conservation, and community-based natural resource management.
The underlying capability rests on conservation science and field technology rather than commercial product platforms. Technical components include camera trapping for wildlife population assessment (approximately 1,100 camera traps deployed under the national Tiger and Prey Base Monitoring Protocol), drone-based prey and habitat monitoring in Shey Phoksundo National Park, GIS-based landscape planning, community-based anti-poaching mechanisms, and human-wildlife coexistence technologies such as light fences, olfactory trials, predator-proof corrals, and the Livelihood Insurance Scheme. WWF Nepal holds formal Scope of Cooperation and Project Implementation Agreements with the Ministry of Forests and Environment and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.
WWF Nepal does not sell commercial products or services. Its revenue mechanics are grant-funded: it mobilizes restricted and unrestricted funding from international donors including the Global Environment Facility, UK Government (Darwin Initiative), MetLife Foundation, Thomas L. Kempner Jr. Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and international WWF network offices (Canada, UK, US, Germany). Corporate partnerships with financial institutions (Laxmi Bank, Siddhartha Bank, Nabil Bank, Nepal Investment Bank, Bank of Kathmandu), telecom operator Ncell, and fintech platform eSewa support campaigns and programs. A ten-year Scope of Cooperation signed with the Government of Nepal in April 2026 commits WWF Nepal to mobilize up to USD 40 million for conservation landscapes and protected areas, on top of the recently awarded GEF-8 USD 4.5 million project on human-tiger coexistence. The organization is governed by an advisory board under Country Representative Dr. Ghana Shyam Gurung, with the new Strategic Plan 2027-2030 launched in 2026 succeeding the Integrated Strategic Plan 2022-2026.
WWF Nepal firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- WWF Nepal
- Legal name
- WWF Nepal Programme
- Website
- https://wwfnepal.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- WWF Nepal is a non-profit conservation organization established in 1993 that operates across four landscapes in Nepal delivering wildlife, freshwater, forest, and climate programs in partnership with the Government of Nepal, local communities, and international donors including GEF, the UK Government, and the Rockefeller Foundation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
WWF Nepal industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (11531)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation (BPAGAIAI), Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB), Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE)
Keywords
Where WWF Nepal is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kathmandu
- HQ country
- Nepal
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
WWF Nepal business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Grants and Donations: WWF Nepal operates as a non-profit conservation organization funded primarily through grants from international donors, foundations, and development partners. Major funding includes GEF-8 project ($4,498,318 over five years), MetLife Foundation grant ($120,000), UK Government Darwin Initiative funding, and Thomas L. Kempner Jr. Foundation funding.
- Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with financial institutions (Laxmi Bank, Siddhartha Bank, Nabil Bank, Nepal Investment Bank, Bank of Kathmandu), telecom companies (Ncell), and fintech platforms (eSewa) for conservation programs and campaigns.
- Government Cooperation: Long-term partnership with Government of Nepal through Scope of Cooperation, with WWF Nepal mobilizing up to USD 40 million over ten years for conservation landscapes and protected area system support.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
WWF Nepal product offering
Product offeringCore offering
WWF Nepal is a non-profit conservation organization that delivers landscape-level conservation programs across Wildlife, Freshwater, Forests, Climate and Energy, and Governance themes, operating in four priority landscapes (Terai Arc Landscape, Sacred Himalayan Landscape, Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, and National Conservation Priority Areas). It implements its mission through community-based conservation, scientific monitoring of flagship species (tigers, rhinos, snow leopards, river dolphins), human-wildlife coexistence initiatives, government partnerships, and public engagement campaigns such as Earth Hour Nepal. The organization is funded primarily through international grants and donor partnerships and does not sell commercial products or services.
Product overview
WWF Nepal is a conservation organization (non-profit) that does not offer commercial products or services in the traditional SaaS/technology sense. Instead, it operates conservation programs and initiatives organized around five thematic areas: Wildlife, Freshwater, Forests, Climate and Energy, and Governance. The organization implements its mission through landscape-level approaches including Terai Arc Landscape, Sacred Himalayan Landscape, Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, and National Conservation Priority Areas. Key initiatives include flagship conservation projects, conservation education, Earth Hour Nepal campaign, memorial scholarships for conservation students, conservation awards recognizing grassroots conservationists, and various community-based sustainability programs. The organization works in partnership with government agencies, local communities, and development partners rather than selling products or services to customers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Terai Arc Landscape Conservation Program Landscape-level conservation program covering the Terai lowlands of Nepal, targeting wildlife recovery (752 rhinos recorded in 2021, up 16% from 2015), anti-poaching operations, and community-based management of buffer zones.
- Sacred Himalayan Landscape Conservation Program Landscape-level conservation program covering Nepal's high-altitude Himalayan ecosystems, supporting snow leopard conservation, rangeland management, and integration of Buddhist faith leadership and indigenous knowledge.
- Chitwan Annapurna Landscape Conservation Program Landscape-level conservation program linking Chitwan lowlands and the Annapurna middle mountains, integrating wildlife corridors, forest management, and community stewardship across central Nepal.
- National Conservation Priority Areas Program Program addressing conservation priorities in protected areas and ecosystems outside the three named landscape programs, supporting protected area management and species-specific initiatives across Nepal.
- National Tiger Survey Program National tiger population assessment using camera trapping, habitat occupancy surveys, and the national Tiger and Prey Base Monitoring Protocol to deliver scientifically validated estimates of wild tiger populations.
- Snow Leopard Conservation Program High-altitude conservation program covering rangeland management, snow leopard population assessment, and human-wildlife coexistence in Shey Phoksundo National Park and the wider Sacred Himalayan Landscape.
- Sakhi Fish Sanctuary and Freshwater Biodiversity Program Freshwater biodiversity conservation initiative in the Karnali River basin, including declaration of fish sanctuaries and otter conservation led in partnership with Sonaha Bikash Samaj, Dolphin Conservation Center, and Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation.
- Earth Hour Nepal Campaign Flagship annual public engagement campaign mobilizing individuals, corporates (Ncell, eSewa), and communities around climate and environmental action, including the 2026 edition's plastic-free runs, hackathons, fish sanctuary runs, and candlelight dinners.
- WWF Nepal Conservation Awards Program Annual recognition program identifying and honoring grassroots conservation leaders across Nepal, providing cash prizes (NRs 50,000 for individuals, NRs 100,000 for organizations) and amplifying visibility for community-level conservation impact.
- Memorial Scholarship Program Multi-category scholarship program covering bachelor's and master's level conservation education in memory of conservation heroes lost in 2006; 151 scholarships awarded to date across five categories.
Quantifiable outcome
- Tiger population increased to 355 wild tigers, nearly tripling from 2009 baseline, achieving TX2 commitment ahead of 2022 target
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use WWF Nepal
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
WWF Nepal technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
WWF Nepal partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Ministry of Forests and Environment (MoFE)coreFormal Scope of Cooperation signed to strengthen collaboration on biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. WWF Nepal committed to mobilize up to USD 40 million over ten years for conservation landscapes and protected areas.
- Lumbini Buddhist UniversitymajorJoint organizer of Regional Conference on Deep Regenerative Agriculture with financial support from The Rockefeller Foundation. Venue host and academic partner for knowledge exchange.
- Sonaha Bikash Samaj (SBS)coreLocal civil society partner for otter conservation project in Karnali. Supports community engagement and river-dependent community participation in fish sanctuary management.
- Dolphin Conservation Center (DCC)coreLocal partner for otter conservation project contributing to Sakhi Fish Sanctuary initiative in Lower Karnali River.
- Small Mammals Conservation and Research Foundation (SMCRF)coreLocal partner for otter conservation project contributing to freshwater biodiversity conservation in Karnali region.
- Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC)coreLead implementation partner for Swachya Sagarmatha waste management project in Everest region. SPCC has been at forefront of waste management in Khumbu region for over three decades.
- ZSL NepalmajorConservation partner providing technical and financial support for 5th National Tiger Survey. Part of Central Advisory Committee governing the survey.
- National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC)majorConservation partner providing technical and financial support for 5th National Tiger Survey. Part of Central Advisory Committee governing the survey.
- Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources (ANSAB) NepalcoreCivil society partner for rangeland conservation project with expertise in sustainable harvest of non-timber forest products, value addition, and trade linkage for improved livelihood prospects.
- Sowa Rigpa Association Nepal (SRAN)corePartner supporting Amchis (traditional medical practitioners) to strengthen traditional Sowa Rigpa medical practice while reducing reliance on threatened wildlife and plant species.
- Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC)coreLead government agency for rangeland conservation project in Shey Phoksundo National Park. Provides regulatory oversight and policy guidance for community-based co-management.
- Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural MunicipalitycoreLocal government partner for Swachya Sagarmatha waste management project, providing governance framework through Environmental Pollution Control and Sustainable Waste Management Plan 2023.
- Sagarmatha National Park OfficecoreGovernment partner for Swachya Sagarmatha project, providing regulatory oversight for waste management activities within Sagarmatha National Park.
- eSewaminorConservation partner for Earth Hour 2026 hackathon developing digital solutions at intersection of fintech and environmental conservation. App with over one million daily users carried Earth Hour awareness content.
- NcellminorTelecom partner for Earth Hour campaigns, extending campaign reach through joint social media efforts across Nepal.
- Laxmi Bank, Siddhartha Bank, Bank of Kathmandu, Nepal Investment Bank, Nabil BankminorFinancial institution partners for Million Trees Plantation project in Lumbini, contributing over 20,000 trees to Lumbini Master Plan through Earth Hour 2012 partnership.
- Buffer Zone Management CommitteecoreCommunity institution partner for Swachya Sagarmatha project, involved in community capacity building and local waste management activities.
- Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC)coreLead government agency for GEF-8 Managing Human-Tiger Interface project. Provides oversight for habitat management and human-wildlife coexistence programs.
- Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality (SPRM)coreLocal government partner providing governance guidance for rangeland conservation project in upper Dolpa, supporting community-led conservation efforts.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
WWF Nepal competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Conservation International: Major global conservation NGO applying landscape-scale and biodiversity hotspot approaches with comparable funding models (GEF, foundations, corporate partnerships) and species recovery programs.
- The Nature Conservancy: Global conservation NGO operating across multiple continents with similar landscape-level programs, government partnership models, and scientific capacity; broader geographic footprint but shared mission and methodology.
- Wildlife Conservation Society: Global wildlife conservation organization running site-based programs across Asia with comparable species focus (tigers, snow leopards) and field-based community engagement models.
- IUCN Asia Regional Office: International conservation union providing policy frameworks (Red List, protected area standards) and country-level support; sets conservation standards that WWF Nepal aligns with and implements.
Emerging players
- Panthera: Specialized wild cat conservation NGO active across Asia on tigers and snow leopards; smaller and species-focused but overlapping with WWF Nepal's big cat programs in shared landscapes.
Direct peers
- WWF India: Sister country office within the global WWF network operating in neighboring South Asia with the same landscape/community conservation model across tiger, elephant, and rhino habitats. Most structurally comparable peer.
- National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC): Nepal's autonomous conservation trust and direct co-implementation partner on the 5th National Tiger Survey; comparable in scope (protected area management, buffer zone communities) and operates in the same landscapes.
- WWF Bhutan: WWF country office in neighboring Bhutan sharing the same Himalayan ecosystem focus (snow leopards, black bears), community-based conservation approach, and WWF network funding model.
- Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Nepal: Active conservation partner in Nepal providing technical and financial support for tiger surveys; comparable wildlife conservation mission and field operations in the same geographies.
- WWF Pakistan: Another WWF South Asia country office working on snow leopard, tiger, and rangeland conservation with comparable community-led approaches; adjacent geography and same institutional DNA.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
WWF Nepal social profiles
Digital presenceWWF Nepal financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
WWF Nepal leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
WWF Nepal funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
WWF Nepal M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about WWF Nepal
What does WWF Nepal do?
WWF Nepal is a non-profit conservation organization that delivers landscape-level conservation programs across Wildlife, Freshwater, Forests, Climate and Energy, and Governance themes, operating in four priority landscapes (Terai Arc Landscape, Sacred Himalayan Landscape, Chitwan Annapurna Landscape, and National Conservation Priority Areas). It implements its mission through community-based conservation, scientific monitoring of flagship species (tigers, rhinos, snow leopards, river dolphins), human-wildlife coexistence initiatives, government partnerships, and public engagement campaigns such as Earth Hour Nepal. The organization is funded primarily through international grants and donor partnerships and does not sell commercial products or services.
Is WWF Nepal a public or private company?
WWF Nepal is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was WWF Nepal founded?
WWF Nepal was founded in 1993. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is WWF Nepal based?
WWF Nepal is headquartered in Kathmandu, Nepal, in the Asia region.
How does WWF Nepal make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Grants and Donations are the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships and government Cooperation.
Who are WWF Nepal's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society and IUCN Asia Regional Office. Panthera is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are WWF India, National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), WWF Bhutan, Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Nepal and WWF Pakistan.
Does WWF Nepal have an API?
No public API is recorded for WWF Nepal.
What industry is WWF Nepal in?
WWF Nepal's product category is Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAA, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation, with a secondary code of BPAGAIAI, Conservation & Human–Wildlife Conflict Mitigation. Its NAICS code is 813312.