COLARP (Consortium for Land Research and Policy Dialogue)
Dhanej Thapa is a Land and Agriculture Expert with over 15 years of expertise in land governance, climate change adaptation (CCA), and disaster risk reduction (DRR). He is deeply engaged in land rights, land tenure security, land governance, and risk sensitive land use planning within Nepal's policy landscape. He has played a pivotal role in shaping national land policies, including contributing to the formulation of the Land Use Act 2019 and the eighth amendment of the Land Act 1964. His support to the National Land Commission has been crucial in assisting municipalities in identification and verification and recording (IRV) of informal settlers, landless, and landless Dalit. Mr. Thapa's work focuses on developing risk-sensitive land use plans, promoting climate-resilient land use practices, and integrating adaptive strategies to build resilience against climate-induced hazards. Mr. Thapa’s expertise extends to consulting services with major organizations, including USAID, FCDO, UNRCO, UNOPS, UNDP, ADPC, and ICIMOD, on climate change, DRR, disaster risk financing, anticipatory action, and parametric insurance. His work includes developing comprehensive reports, technical guidelines, and capacity-building materials. His contributions to institutions such as CEAPRED, CORDAID, Forest Action Nepal, NDRI, and COLARP emphasize sustainable livelihoods, community resilience, natural resource management, and climate resilient agriculture. Currently, as the Director of the Consortium for Land Research and Policy Dialogue (COLARP), Mr. Thapa continues to lead efforts in land policy reform, ensuring the rights of landless people, Dalits, and indigenous communities over land and natural resources, and promoting sustainable land use planning in Nepal.