Better Management Needed

It is a matter of satisfaction that despite many odds, Nepal has been able to set up a network of protected areas covering 18 per cent of the total land area of the country. Within three decades, after the government initiated the process of establishing protected areas, the country boasts of eight national parks, four wildlife reserves, three conservation areas, one hunting reserve and five buffer zones around the national parks. These protected areas are spread from Kanchenjunga conservation area in the eastern high Himalayan region to the Langtang National Park in the High mountainous region in the centre and the Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve in the Far-western Development Region. The Chitwan National Park and Bardiya Wildlife Reserve, both famous for one-horned rhino and the Koshi-Tappu Wildlife Reserve, famous for birds are located in the Terai. In fact, Nepal’s efforts in conserving its unique flora and fauna are laudable yet the efforts made so far are inadequate especially in preserving the Himalayan herbs and plants of medicinal value.

In fact, the national parks and protected areas are not free from problems. Incidents of poaching of endangered animals and encroachment of the protected areas by the local people are big threats. This is the reason why proper management of the protected areas is deemed urgent. Poor management of the conserved areas has led to many problems like the case of the people living in the villages adjoining Koshi Tappu. It is expected that the concerned authorities will soon initiate a proper management plan for the protected areas so that the shortcoming can be mitigated.

Nusan Ghimire Dubey
Maitidevi, Kathmandu