VIEW POINT (Spotlight Weekly]

‘Nepal Has Been Playing A Lead Role In The World In Community-Based Conservation’

— Dr. Chandra PRASAD Gurung

DR. CHANDRA PRASAD GURUNG, Country Representative for WWF-Nepal program, has had a long experience of working in conservation field. Former member-secretary of the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation, Dr. Gurung was also the director of Annapurna Conservation Area Project in the past. Dr. Gurung spoke to SPOTLIGHT about the issues pertaining to conservation in Nepal. Excerpts:

How do you see the on-going programs of WWF in Nepal?

WWF-Nepal program has been going on in Nepal since 1960. During this four decade long conservation efforts, we have evolved a lot of approaches. Initially, we were just concerned on the protection of large mammals like tigers and rhinos. In those days, we believed that it was necessary to preserve these species to protect the biodiversity. In 70s, we realized that unless their habitats also are fully protected, we cannot protect the animals. So, we worked very closely in establishing national parks and protected areas. We are very pleased that the government took impressive steps in setting up series of national parks. In 1980s, we realized that there was constant conflict between park and local communities because local community were not able to use some of the resources. We believed that integrated conservation and development or community based conservation program was necessary. Therefore, WWF helped in establishing Annapurna Conservation Area. We helped to establish the project. We are now thinking much more about conservation as it is no longer a national issue but an international one. Therefore, what we need to do is to involve in trans-boundary issues. We have programs with India, China and Nepal. Our next approach is to work in eco-region based conservation which deals with trans-boundary issues.

As a conservation expert yourself, what are the challenges for conservation in Nepal?

There are many challenges but I am pleased to see some success in the efforts for conservation. There are challenges in terms of poaching particularly of rhinos and tigers. Community considered the poaching was government problem in the past. Now, what we can see is all the parties including communities living near the national park also want their involvement in anti-poaching activities. This is a very positive sign. Tourism entrepreneurs and local community have realized the importance of conserving rhinos and tigers in their area. Now INGOs like WWF, Royal Nepalese Army, Department of Wildlife and National Park and Department of Forest are coming together to protect the bio-diversity. In a way there are challenges but they produce such kinds of cooperation. I am very hopeful about the future of conservation in Nepal.

What are the future plans of WWF in Nepal?

WWF has been working in Nepal for the last four decades and we have a lot of experiences in carrying out the conservation activities. As conservation is closely linked with poverty, the time now has come for WWF to work on poverty alleviation linking it with conservation. We are destroying our forest resources to increase the food production. Since 50 percent of our population are below poverty line, we must implement programs to improve the quality of life of those people. We have to reduce the poverty by maintaining the country's bio-diversity. We can change quality of life through eco-tourism. The experiences of Annapurna and other parts of the country have shown that eco-tourism is an effective way to reduce the level of poverty. Well-managed tourism can bring visible changes in terms of bio-diversity conservation and in terms of quality of the people's living. Tourism can also ruin its own nest if it is not properly managed.

How do you find the coordination among different organizations involved in conservation activities?

I see that there are still a lot of things to be done to coordinate between different agencies working in the conservation area. Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation has the main responsibility to manage the protected areas. There needs to be coordination among NGOs like King Mahendra Trust, INGOs like IUCN, WWF and other donors with government departments.

What is the present status of bio-diversity conservation?

If we look at the total area of bio-diversity conservation under the protected area management system as wildlife resorts, hunting resorts and national parks, large number of area has come under the blanket of protection. There are also community forest areas which are protected. The Department of Forest is also developing national forest areas. Local communities are also involved in conservation of forest. I see that the status in terms of physical protection is quite good but what we need is more research to know how far these protected systems are working and what is the status of bio-diversity like flora and fauna in these areas.

How do you see the community mobilization in conservation programs?

Nepal has been playing a lead role in the world in the community based conservation. It started from Annapurna but now the same concept is applied in Makalu-Barun, Manasalu and Kanchanjunga. Besides that, the new policy of the buffer zone management system in national parks is also community based conservation system. The aim of such buffer zone management is to provide forest resources to community living near by national parks and stall the encroachment.

What is the state of endangered animals?

WWF identifies rhino, tiger and snow leopard as endangered species in Nepal. I think they are now in much better shape. The rhino population has increased considerably. The recent counting showed that the rhino population is over 600 in two different national parks. The population of snow leopard and tiger has also stabilized.

What are the major projects run by WWF-Nepal?

We are now implementing four major projects based on integrated conservation approach. Kanchanjunga Conservation area is one of the largest projects. We are also working in the buffer zone of Shey-Phoksundo national park, Bardiya national park and Sagarmatha national park. In addition to that, we are also supporting anti-poaching programs.