WWF for conservation of Chure hills

By Yagya Bikram Shahi

BARDIYA, Feb 2 - The Worlwide Fund for Nature(WWF), Nepal has begun a long-term programme for the conservation of the western Terai and Chure hills, one of the best habitats for Royal Bengal tiger, one-horned Asiatic rhino and elephant.

The WWF-Nepal has implemented its master plan with a view to preserve the Terai and Chure hills jungle, extending from Parsa Reserve in the east to Rajaji National Park in the north-western region of India. The 100 years plan is to be implemented under its Terai Arch Landscape Nepal (TALN) programme.

Programme Co-ordinator and Director of WWF-Nepal, Anil Manandhar, said that an eight-member study team would carry out its on-the-spot studies around Lamahi and Butwal, the most sensitive junctions for wildlife movement between Parsa Wildlife Reserve in the east and Royal Bardiya National Park in the west.

Although the government announced to expand Royal Bardiya National Park from its current 968 square km to 1,790 square km, experts fear that the forest cover in the extended area would be destroyed and there would be problem in land management.

The government announced to extend the forest area without developing a required infrastructure, experts say. Biologists point out the need for regular movement of wildlife from one habitat to another with different climatic zone to maintain their pedigree.

"There should be a close link between the enormous Terai and Chure hill area for maintaining bio-diversity," Royal Bardiya National Park biologist, Naresh Subedi, says. The WWF has identified 236 habitats as endangered areas out of the total 800 habitats around the world. Among them, the WWF has included Nepal’s Western Terai-Chure as an endangered region that needs to be protected from being encroached upon. The TALN has decided to declare the region as a protected area.

Sushila Nepali, Deputy-Director of the TALN, says that the programme will co-ordinate between the Department of Forest and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, both the government entities. The WWF Nepal has been working together with the government since early 70s.

The TALN has a plan to connect the three densely-tiger-populated conservation units - Banke-Bardiya (Nepal), Kailali-Dudhawa (Nepal and India) and Shuklaphanta-Kisanpur (Nepal and India) - via wildlife corridors. To achieve the goal of developing the wildlife corridors from north to south, there should be an understanding between the

Nepali and Indian side. Though there is no disagreement, in principle, between the two sides about the conservation of wildlife, strong commitment is required to achieve the desired goal.

WWF’s Coordinator Manandhar says, "The wildlife issues were raised during the talks on border between the two countries. But no formal agreement has so far been signed yet". However, a letter of understanding has been reached between the WWF Nepal and WWF India. The plan of developing the wildlife corridor between the wildlife habitats of the two countries was envisaged five years ago. The international standard requires that atleast two km wide forest or agriculture area should be allocated for the cross-movement of large wild animals.

People’s participation is a must to protect the wildlife and bio-diversity of the western Terai-Chure hill, habitat of the large wild animals - tiger, rhino and elephant.

Chairman of Thakurdwara VDC, Krishna Prasad Wagle, opines that the goal of protecting wildlife habitats cannot be achieved without getting the local people involved in the programme.

Politicians discuss security, peace

Post Report

KATHMANDU, Feb 2 - Politicians here today stressed on implementation of the proposed peace processes and security of the public from insurgents of all kinds.

Speaking at a seminar organized by Human Rights and Peace Society, Sahana Pradhan, the chairperson of CPN-ML,said that after centuries the people of the country, living in the different geographical regions are divided and even become thirsty of one another’s blood. She said, "The present intolerence signals something unexpected chaos in the near future."

She added that the role of the women is vital to maintain the peace and security of the country . "If women are made a part of the process then only success will be secured".

Sarita Giri of Nepal Sadbhavana Party said that the whole country followed a baseless rumour, instead of trying to find out the truth or urging people to be patient.

She urged the politicians, "Please stop playing the game of politics with our future generation."

Pashupati Sumsher JB Rana,Sahana Pradhan,Nilamber Acharya,Chiranjivi Wagle,Sarita Giri and others were present on the ocassion.