NATIONAL 3 -(Spotlight Weekly)

Finding Solution

A group of expert from eastern Himalaya region discuss importance of the mountain environment

-By A CORRESPONDENT

Is it possible to protect the unique eco-system of the eastern Himalaya region? "Yes," said experts from the region who gathered with an aim to develop common strategy to preserve unique eco-system.

As poverty and human population is growing, the threat to mountain environment of the eastern Himalaya region continues to rise. This was what more than 80 experts from the region addressed in the program.

There is a threat to region's temperate forests in over exploitation for timber, charcoal, and firewood and intensive grazing and agricultural expansion.

As eastern Himalayan region is regarded as one of the most resourceful parts of the world, only a few steps have been taken to highlight them.

To discuss the importance of the Himalayas, a group of experts from the countries of the region recently shared information in the conference.

Organized by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the three day seminar was full of debates and discussions.

China, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar contain some of the world's most diverse temperate forest, tallest grasslands, alpine meadows rich in species.

At a time when there is a growing threat to these natural heritage, the group has agreed to accept some important steps to conserve them.

Inaugurating the seminar, Minister of Forest and Soil Conservation Mahanta Thakur stressed the need for regional cooperation among nation to conserve the unique bio-diversity.

When a large umber of plant species as well animals are disappearing from the region, such seminars will help to promote the conservation of these species.

"The hallmark of the Eastern Himalayas undoubtably is its immense diversity of landscapes and a rich variety of biotic life," said geographer Dr. Harka Gurung, delivering a key note address.

Although different countries of the region have their own programs to conserve the flora and fauna of the region, what is lacking is the long term common approach to conserve them.

"A vision for the Eastern Himalayas requires a 50-year plan that leads to the conservation of the different animals and plants present within a well designed and well managed system of protected areas," said Mingma Sherpa director of Asia and Pacific Program of WWF US.

The conservation of such a vast area and huge species is impossible without developing common approach. "We are particularly looking forward to develop mechanisms for regional collaboration on information exchange and mutual support in scientific research, preservation of trade in wildlife products and innovative institutional mechanisms for future conservation of this important eco-system," said Egbert Pelinick, director general of ICIMOD.

According to the studies, few places on Earth can match breathtaking splendor of the Himalayas. The towering peaks and secluded valleys of this mountain range form a 1,500 mile-long barrier separating the lowlands of the Indian subcontinent from the high, dry tibetian Plateau.

WWFs three Global 200 eco regions are located in the rugged mountain terrain of Nepal, Bhutan and northern India. According to experts, the eco-regions comprise some of the world's tallest mountain peaks and the highest densities of tigers and rhinos in Asia.