E D I T O R I A L

Kathmandu, Saturday February 01, 2003  Magh 18,  2059.

Protect properly

A recent news report in this daily speaks of the scant effect the authorities and the Maoists have on the illegal trade on wildlife carried out by poachers and illegal hunters in the Makalu-Barun National Park, one of the several parks in existence in the country. But unlike other parks, the people themselves are expected to take care of the park with the help of government officials. Armed security guards protect other national parks. The Makalu-Barun National Park is unique in that it encompasses some of the world’s tallest mountains and is adjacent to the Sagarmatha National Park. In addition, the Makalu-Barun National Park boasts of unique collection of birds, animals and reptiles, not easily found elsewhere. Also found in the park are some 56 species of plants whose extinction would prove disastrous not merely for this country but for the world as well. The park is home to the rare snow leopard, musk deer and red panda. The products from these animals are used in the making of traditional medicines as well as oriental Chinese medicines. In all, the bio-diversity of the park is apparently threatened by unscrupulous elements who easily smuggle out rare animals and plants for quick monetary gains. And such activities are not confined to the Makalu-Barun National Park alone. Most other national parks in the country, despite armed guards, face similar problems. The recent reports about poaching of rhinoceros in the Royal Chitwan National Park is a case in point.

Any long-term protection of the unique treasures in the Makalu-Barun National Park can only come when the government is able to post a substantial number of armed guards in the park. But this will be unfeasible and a burden on the national exchequer. The alternative is to keep the present arrangement in force but with added inputs to the people. Such inputs can come in the form of education about the usefulness of wildlife and nature conservation. The people should be told in a convincing manner how important it is for them to help conserve the vast bio-diversity found in the park. This is necessary for themselves and their children as well as for the country. The task of the people themselves protecting their national park could be difficult, but not an impossible proposition. It will certainly be a time-consuming process to fully motivate the people. But this will be a task worth attempting and could set an example to other parts of this country and to the South Asian region. The need to protect animals and plants properly cannot be overemphasised, and when the people themselves do such conservation works, the need is to further encourage such activities.