Conservation of wild flora and fauna
Twenty-six mammal species, nine bird species and three reptile
species have been fully protected under National Parks and Wildlife
Conservation Act 2029. Altogether, 27 mammal species, 22 bird
species and 9 reptile species are listed in IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species. There is also a high degree of endemism
in Nepal. The most notable fauna among endangered species are
The Greater One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, Asian
Elephant, Snow Leopard, Arna, Musk Deer, Red Panda, Black buck,
Swamp deer, Gaur, Gharial and Dolphin. Periodic species survey/count,
research, studies and monitoring, anti-poaching operations,
mobilization of Nepal Army in protection of parks/reserves,
community based anti poaching activities, strict law enforcement
are some of the noticeable activities implemented by DNPWC.
The Department has prepared and implementing One horned rhinoceros
conservation action plan (2006-2010), Tiger Conservation action
plan (2008-2012) and Snow leopard conservation action plan (2004-2009).
The preparation of species action plan for elephant, vulture,
blackbuck, swamp deer, gaur is underway.
The results of periodic wildlife monitoring showed a considerable
achievement in maintaining/increasing wildlife populations.
Rhino count 2008 in Chitwan National Park, Bardia National Park,
Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve resulted 435 individuals, Tiger
monitoring 2009 in Terai Arc Landscape tallied 121 adult breeding
tigers, Gaur count 2008 in Parsa Wildlife Reserve showed 37
individuals, Gharial Crocodile monitoring in major river systems
of lowland Nepal reported 81 individuals, and Arna count 2009
in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve recorded 219 individuals.
The Department has started captive breeding program of crocodile
in 1978 and each year collecting eggs, rearing them in captivity
and release of youngs into natural habitat in major river systems
of Nepal. At present, there are two crocodile breeding centers
in operation in Nepal (Chitwan National Park and Bardia National
Park). Till now, more than 708 individuals of Gharial and 164
Mugger crocodiles have been released in the Narayani and other
different major river system of Nepal. Moreover, Department
has been managing Elephant Breeding Centre in Khorsor, Chitwan
National Park. Similarly, Deer research center in Godawari is
managed by Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park under the Department.
Vulture breeding centre and orphanage centre are in place at
Chitwan National Park. Government of Nepal has organized and
hosted important national, regional and international workshops/meetings
related to species conservation. The department has also played
a lead role to foster transborder cooperation with India and
Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Scientific
habitat management
Scientific habitat management is an essential prerequisite to
conserve and manage wildlife. Corresponding to the variety of
terrain, protected areas in Nepal have fairly good representation
of ecosystems and habitats. Out of 118 ecosystems, 80 are represented
in protected area system. Efforts are on to manage wildlife
habitat aiming at conserving the endangered species.
Protection of natural habitats, creation of waterholes, wetlands
management and restoration, grassland management in the form
of grass cutting, controlled fire, fire line construction and
maintenance, cutting down unwanted trees, clearing shrubs and
uprooting of saplings are some of the specific activities currently
carried out in Nepal. Sporadic research studies on habitat,
invasive alien species also exist in different protected areas.
Buffer zone management
| Buffer Zone declared: |
11 |
| Buffer Zone Area (sq.km.): |
5076.67 |
| Buffer Zone Districts: |
27 |
| Buffer Zone VDCs: |
183 |
| Buffer Zone user group: |
4,088 |
| Buffer zone user committee: |
143 |
| Buffer Zone management Committee: |
|
To kindle the conservation spirit in the hearts of people,
Government of Nepal has timely introduced buffer zone approach
in 1994. The Department adopts participatory approach in buffer
zone resource management. Concerned laws and regulations allow
sharing of 30-50% of the total income of the park, reserve
and conservation area with the local communities to implement
community development activities. Altogether, there are 11
buffer zones declared so far. Buffer zone program aimed at
peoples participation in conservation for long term sustainability.
The program is now spread over 83-village development committee
of 27 districts and covers over 7 lakhs population.
In addition, there are initiations to declare the area in
and around Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and Dhorpatan
Hunting Reserve as buffer zone. There are community-based
institutions in buffer zone viz-Buffer zone management committee
(11), user committee (143), user group (4,088) and functional
groups. The user committee and user group have their own work
plans and the money funneled through buffer zone management
committee is utilized in conservation, community development,
income generation and skill enhancement and conservation education
program.
Eco-tourism promotion
Protected areas in Nepal are major tourists destinations.
Protected areas alone attract more than 50% of the total foreign
tourists in Nepal. Nepal's protected areas have continued
to attract increasing number of visitors (more than 300,000
in F/Y 20065/066). Eco tourism is a major contributor to the
income of protected areas. Considering the great potentials
of eco tourism in protected areas, domestic elephants riding,
visitor information center, information corners, flyers, jungle
drive, camping, boating etc have been provisioning. Some regular
activities like construction and maintenance of road, bridge
and watchtower are being carried out in parks/reserves. Local
people are benefiting from cultural tourism in buffer zone
villages. Protected areas are imparted nature guide, trekking,
cooking, hotel management, handicraft production training
to local people jointly with other like minded Government,
Non Governmental and Community based organizations. There
is an inbuilt eco tourism theme plan in protected area management
plan that aimed at promoting and concurrently regulating tourism
in protected areas. The promotional activities are convened
in coordination with other relevant organizations both at
national and international arena.
Conservation education and awareness
One and most important mandate of the Department is to raise
conservation awareness among local public to save forest,
wildlife and environment. It is imperative to convince the
people that biodiversity conservation is vital for a better
way of life. Biodiversity conservation can succeed only when
people realize the values of biodiversity. The Department
and the protected areas under it celebrating special days
and weeks (World Wetland Day, International Mountain Day,
Wildlife Week, International day for Biological Diversity,
World Environment Day) with various activities that aimed
at raising awareness on the importance of biological diversity
and the need for conservation of the same. National parks
and wildlife reserves are organizing public meetings, broadcasting
conservation message through local and National mass media
such as Radio, Television and local FM stations. Various program
of conservation education such as school program, video shows,
wildlife games, competitive events like elocution, essay,
quiz, art etc targeting youths and school children are being
conducted in Buffer zones and Kathmandu valley.
The Department regularly publishes and distributes promotional
materials such as brochures, posters, newsletter and bulletins.
In addition, print and electronic media are in use to disseminate
conservation message.
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