NTNC started its conservation activities, mainly wildlife research and monitoring, in the Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (SWR) in 1999. The main objective of the Suklaphanta Conservation Programme (SCP) is to enhance the capacity of the local people to safeguard endangered wildlife species, mainly the tiger, and their habitats and prey base in and around the Reserve. The major initiatives undertaken to fulfill project objectives include training and promotion of conservation awareness among the local people, micro-enterprise development schemes, women development activities, alternative energy schemes, plant nursery development, promotion of eco-tourism, biodiversity monitoring and habitat improvement programmes.

Previously, swamp deer (Cervus duvauceli) or Barasingha were widely distributed over the entire western terai of Nepal. Now they are limited to Kanchanpur District at Suklaphanta, making it the only habitat in Nepal.

In 2004 the National Planning Commission (NPC) provided funds for the development of the marginalised population in the vicinity of the Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (SWR), comprising mostly of emancipated bonded labourers (locally called Kamaiyas), Janjatis (indigenous peoples), and Dalits as well as relocated communities from the eastern section of the Reserve. With the objective of upgrading their living standards, assistance was rendered for infrastructure development. Continuous efforts to encourage the local communities for plantation, utilisation of biogas and reduction of fuelwood consumption were successful in garnering the support of the local communities for the NPC-funded project. Activities were concentrated mainly in Beldadi, Simalphanta and Mahendranagar Municipality areas of the buffer zone of SWR. NTNC in coordination with SWR, other local government institutions, Community-based Organisations (CBOs), local NGOs and other like-minded organisations implemented the project activities