The Alliance for Integrated Development along with Conservation Area Management Committee, Kaski have won the Equator Prize 2014.
The award presented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Equator Initiative carries a purse of $5,000 for each of the organisations.
It is the first time any Nepali organisation has bagged the award, the UNDP said, adding that the Alliance was chosen for its special contribution to the protection of the Jagdishpur Reservoir based in Kapilvastu, conservation of biological diversities and reduction of poverty by involving locals in income-generating activities.
The artificial reservoir – located at Niglihawa, 11-km north from district headquarters Taulihawa – has spread over 157 hectares of land. It is a home to 118 species of birds and was put in the Ramsar list in 2003.
The organisation has also been nominated for the Equator ‘special recognition’ prize that carries a purse of $15,000, according to Alliance president Shekhar Aryal.
The Alliance is one of the 35 winners of the biannual award presented to outstanding local initiatives in advancing sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities.
Following a global call for nominations, Equator Prize 2014 Jury had received a total of 1,234 applications from 121 countries. “Of which, 35 were selected for the award.”
The awards will be presented in New York in presence of UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon, US President Barak Obama, heads of the states and governments of various countries on September 22.

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