WOREC, Nepal started the concept of transformation of traditional villages into eco-village since 2010 where various aspects of the traditional village are addressed alongside livelihoods and income generation. Eco-village is defined as a rural human settlement with all members committed to sustainably manage locally available natural resources with integrated comprehensive human right based approach to meet their social, spiritual, psychological, physical (including technological) and economic rights and needs without any negative impact on natural ecosystems, resources, climate and health. Thus eco-village addresses the social, ecological, economical, technological, spiritual or cultural, and political discrepancies and instabilities through sustainable community based structures, practices and concepts from holistic right based perspectives. At present WOREC, Nepal has been engaged with the local right holders to transform 16 traditional villages into sustainable eco-villages. These eco-villages have been gradually declared as model eco-villages with the participation of local governmental organizations (DDC, Municipality/VDC), eco-village management committee and other like-minded social organisations.
Baireni Ecovillage has been declared as the First Model Danuwar Eco-village in Udayapur on the occasion of 42nd World Environment Day. Around 500 people including representatives from District Development Committee (DDC), Triyuga Municipality, District Forest Office, District Agriculture Development Office, District Police Office, major political parties and NGOs/CBOs as well as members from other eco villages participated in the program. The Executive Officer of Triyuga Municipality Mr. Khadga Bahadur Karki handed over the Certificate of Eco- village Declaration to the Chairperson of the Baireni eco-village. The Chair of Baireni eco-village expressed his opinion that this program helped to build up the strong linkages between the members of the eco village and concerned government and other stakeholders. Dr. Binayak P. Rajbhandari, Technical Advisor of WOREC, highlighted the need for transformation of traditional village into eco village considering the social, ecological, economic, technical and political aspects from right based approach. In the program, all the concerned stakeholders highly appreciated the joint initiatives of WOREC and members of Baireni village and expressed their commitment to support the eco-village in best possible ways. Triyuga Municipality committed to support for toilet construction for some of the remaining households, District Forest Office committed to support fruit and fodder saplings. DADO committed to provide all possible support to the farmers of the eco-village.