The Government of Nepal is engaged fully in the REDD+ SES (Social & Environmental standards) initiative including in the development of the standards, the governance of the REDD+ SES Initiative and in using the standards. REDD+ SES is being applied to the National REDD Strategy. The use of the REDD+ SES in Nepal is facilitated by the REDD Cell of the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation and by the Federation of Community Forestry Users

While the activities address to reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) and contribute to conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks (REDD+) and have the potential to deliver significant social and environmental co-benefits, many have also highlighted the serious risks, particularly for Indigenous Peoples and local communities. Re cognizing the growing awareness at both international and national levels of the need for effective social and environmental safeguards, the REDD+ SES initiative aims to define and build support for a higher level of social and environmental performance from REDD+ programs through the development of standards that can be used by governments, NGOs, financing agencies and other stakeholders to design and implement REDD+ programs that make a significant contribution to human rights, poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation.

The government of Nepal, MoFSC, REDD Cell, REDD+ SES indicator (draft) opened for public comment and feedback on REDD + SES effective from 1 October 2011 for 60 days. Thus, to make the REDD+ SES indicator much Indigenous friendly, the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), Climate Change and REDD Partnership Program organized an interaction program on REDD + SES with different concern bodies ; multi stakeholder, Indigenous Peoples organizations, District Coordination Councils, NEIFN Sister organizations, FM Radio Journalists, and Indigenous Constitution Members on 7th Nov, 2011 in hotel Orchid; on 10-11 Nov, 2011 in Chautara Shindhupalchok; on 14th Nov, Local Development Training Center, Lalitpur; on 15th Nov, 2011 NEFIN CC REDD program hall; and on 20th Nov, 2011, NEFIN hall, Kusunti, Lalitpur.

More than 5000 people participated in the interaction programs. The feedback and comments from the different interaction programs were compiled which was eventually submitted to the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation; REDD Forestry and Climate Change Cell on 21st Nov 2011. NEFIN chairperson, Mr. Raj Kumar Lekhy submitted the feedback and comment with a letter on REDD + SES to REDD Cell Chief Reshem Dangi. The submitted letter emphasized that Indigenous people should be the first beneficiaries of the Natural Resources given that Indigenous people are primordial inhabitants of the country and thus should have equal access to natural resources. Ms Pasang Dolma Sherpa, national Coordinator, NEFIN, CC REDD program, highlighted the objective of the program and further explained the REDD + SES comments and feedback to the REDD Cell Chief. REDD Cell Chief has committed to execute the Indigenous feedback from his side in the REDD + SES indicator.

REDD Cell Chief, Mr. Reshem Dangi; Under Secretary (Tech.), Mr. Sagar Rimal: and Under Secretary (Tech.), Mr. Rabindra Maharjan was present from the government whereas NEFIN secretariat, Ms Pasang Dolma Sherpa national Coordinator, NEFIN, CC REDD program, ANIJ chairperson, journalist, CCMIN officer and ABC reporter participated in the program.