WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
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Nepal is rich in bio-diversity. The presence of rare flora and fauna along with verdant terrain and fresh water sources entice hundreds of thousands of tourists from across the globe every year. Despite political unrest and calamitous climatic disturbances Nepal has succeeded in protection and conservation of wildlife in 2014.
Nepal has had two zero-poaching years (2012 and 2014) in recent times. At the recent five-day 'Zero Poaching in Asia' symposium held in Kathmandu, international experts and delegates from various Asian countries lauded Nepal's success in curbing wildlife poaching as an inspiration. Among the 13 Tiger Range Countries taking part in the symposium, Nepal was the only one to have achieved zero poaching. The program was aimed at building international cooperation and sharing of knowledge in wildlife conservation.
In the same context, Deputy Inspector General SP Yadav, who is with the National Tiger Conservation Authority, had said: "Fighting poaching is a huge challenge and Nepal has certainly shown its caliber by protecting its rhinos, now its focus should be centered on ending the entire animal trade, which is illegal."
Nepal, which shares the Tarai Arc Landscape with India, is home to endangered animals like tigers, rhinos, elephants and Gangetic dolphins. Nepal, the country with 10 national parks, three wildlife reserves and six conservation areas has 534 rhinos and 198 tigers.
Nepal has accomplished another milestone in wildlife conservation. Chitwan National Park (CNP) received international recognition for being the best conservation zone for tiger protection. Conducted by Conservation Assured Tiger Standards (CATS), an international committee devoted to develop and assure best habitation for wildlife, CNP excelled in all 17 major internationally prescribed standards for tiger protection.
Nepal has also been successful in conserving its birds. The number of white-rumped vultures (Gyps bengalensis), a vulture species that is on the verge of extinction, has increased, from 43 to 68. "Compared to last year, the result has been encouraging for all conservationists and experts working to save these birds from extinction," said Khadananda Paudel, vulture conservation program officer at Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN).
Increase in the number of white-rumped vulture is the indicator of the re-development of the human vulture adaptation system that had once gone awry. It was the rampant use of diclofenic, an anti-inflammatory drug used to medicate livestock, which was taking the lives of hundreds of vultures. The first survey of BCN in 2002 placed the population of white-rumped vultures at 205. This had declined to 55 in 2009 and then gradually climbed back to the present number of 68. All nine species of vultures found in South Asia reside in Nepal. Six species are resident vultures that live and breed in Nepal.
A recent bird count at Taudaha, a body of water in southern Kathmandu, spotted a nearly threatened species of migratory water bird, Ferruginous Pochards. With its small population in Nepal, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has included these birds in the 'nearly threatened' category. Medium in size, this wild duck grows up to 42 centimeters in length. Both the male and female are uniform chestnut and slightly darker on the back, with a white belly and an under-tail. A distinctive pale iris separates males from females. "These are special water birds and they are rarely seen in Nepal. Actually, it is a matter of pride for us to find these birds here at Taudaha. It has certainly boosted our research on migratory birds," said Jotendra Thakuri, conservation officer at BCN.
Meanwhile, government has already announced a new zoo at Suryabinayak of Bhaktapur district. According to Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MFoSC), if work progresses as expected, the zoo with international-standard facilities will be complete within next three years. After five years of groundwork to move the central zoo from Jawalakhel to Bhaktapur, MFoSC has finally received cabinet's go ahead. The new zoo will sprawl across 245 hectors of lands covering seven community forests in Gundu, Sipadol and Katunje area. "The zoo will be an ideal open conservation area for both animals and birds. Besides regular animals, we will try to shelter exotic animals in the future," said Maheshowr Dhakal, Spokesperson at Department of Nature and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC).
Moreover, the government is also preparing various programs to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. "The number of tigers and rhinos has increased over the years and management of open space for their livelihood has become our major concern now. At the same time, we are also lobbying to increase the amount to compensation for the victims of animal attacks," said Dhakal.
The author is with Republica's social bureau
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