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As elephant conflict shifts, Nepal’s border village offers clues for coexistence
- Human-elephant conflicts were once concentrated in the border village of Bahundangi in eastern Nepal, but the problem has since spread to other villages further west as a result of rapid urbanization, deforestation and infrastructure expansion that have forced elephants into human settlements.
- Several villagers have been killed in elephant attacks in these villages in Koshi province, leaving local families living in constant fear as they struggle to protect their homes, crops and lives from wild elephants.
- Local authorities have attempted solutions like digging trenches, installing sirens and conducting awareness campaigns, but many measures have proved ineffective or created new problems; limited funding and lack of long-term planning hinder sustainable solutions.
- Conservationists say the template from Bahundangi, the border village that learnt to live with the elephants, could help new conflict areas avoid losses much more swiftly and without wasting resources.
More cable car controversy surfaces in Nepal’s western mountains
- Nepal’s National Planning Commission granted “national priority” status to a controversial cable car project in the Annapurna Conservation Area, despite pending legal challenges and environmental concerns.
- The decision has been criticized for lacking legal grounds and potentially violating a Supreme Court ruling that invalidated a law allowing infrastructure projects inside protected areas.
- Legal experts warn that the decision could be in contempt of court, as the full text of the Supreme Court’s ruling on protected area infrastructure is still pending.
‘Helicopter tourism’ in the Himalayas affecting Sherpas, wildlife
A surge in “helicopter tourism” at Sagarmatha, the Nepali name for Mount Everest, is adversely affecting the local community and wildlife, reports Mongabay contributor Shashwat Pant. Helicopters have previously only been used for medical emergencies or high-profile visitors at Sagarmatha. But with choppers now regularly transporting tourists to Sagarmatha’s base camp, their noise plagues the […]
In Nepal’s Chitwan, elephant’s shooting, death raises eyebrows
- A wild elephant in Chitwan National Park succumbed to a bullet wound on Feb. 5, 2025, after allegedly charging at a patrol team and throwing a ranger off his mount.
- The radio-collared elephant had been lingering around human settlements, damaging properties and alarming locals and hotel operators, leading to increased patrols and discussions on managing the issue.
- Local officials had pressured the national park to take action, but authorities say the shooting was an act of self-defense.
- Critics argue that since the elephant was radio-collared, its movements could have been tracked, and better nonlethal measures could have been taken.
World’s smallest otter makes comeback in Nepal after 185 years
- Scientists have confirmed the presence of the Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) in Nepal for the first time in more than 185 years.
- The last confirmed sighting was in 1839, followed by occasional unconfirmed reports from Makalu Barun National Park and the western districts of Kailali and Kapilvastu.
- The rediscovery follows a 2022 sighting in Darjeeling, India, with conservationists saying they hope it will spark further reports, similar to the recent increase in Eurasian otter sightings in Nepal after its rediscovery in 2021.
Military-backed conservation ‘without firing a single shot’: Interview with Nepal’s Babu Krishna Karki
- In 1973, Nepal’s government established Chitwan National Park, to fight pervasive poaching and habitat degradation, and deployed the military Nepal Army to protect threatened species such as rhinos and tigers.
- The role of the force, which still guards the national parks, remains controversial: proponents credit it with saving wildlife, while critics say it militarized conservation and sidelined Indigenous communities.
- The Maoist conflict from 1996-2006 severely impacted national parks across the country, leading to increased poaching and habitat destruction. But post-conflict initiatives strengthened protection measures, including advanced surveillance and community involvement, says Babu Krishna Karki, a retired general who headed the military’s conservation operations.
- In an interview with Mongabay, Karki emphasizes that the military’s role in national parks is temporary, as it envisages a future where local communities take over conservation efforts.
How a Nepali border village learned to live with migratory wild elephants
- Once the epicenter for deadly human-elephant conflict, an eastern Nepal village along the Indian border has transformed into a model of coexistence.
- Villagers, once fearful, have adopted elephant-resistant crops and beekeeping, and through a rapid response team, they safely guide elephants away.
- Government policies, conservation efforts and shifting community attitudes have significantly reduced fatalities, with no deaths reported in the area since 2015.
- While Bahundangi offers a model for coexistence, villages along the migratory routes for elephants have become hotspots for human-elephant encounters, requiring the need for conservation corridors and education to mitigate conflicts.
Introducing wildlife crime to Nepal’s law enforcement: Interview with Prasanna Yonzon
- Nepal is both a source and transit hub for wildlife crime targeting iconic species like tigers, rhinos and pangolins. Conservationist Prasanna Yonzon has led efforts for over two decades through an NGO to train law enforcement, gather intelligence and build networks for combating wildlife crime.
- The NGO, Wildlife Conservation Nepal (WCN), played a pivotal role in establishing a dedicated wildlife crime unit under Nepal Police. It collaborates with various law enforcement agencies, providing intelligence, capacity building and resources to curb illegal wildlife trade.
- Over time, WCN’s training programs have evolved to focus on practical skills, intelligence sharing and tools like visual aids, helping officers retain critical information and adapt their approach to combat wildlife trafficking effectively.
- WCN’s efforts have helped officials apprehend big perpetrators. However, Yonzon and his team faced personal risks, including threats, underscoring the dangers of addressing transnational wildlife crime.
Helicopters slash the trek to Earth’s highest peak, but leave Sherpas grounded
- “Helicopter tourism” that brings trekkers to Base Camp of Sagarmatha (Everest) in Nepal and bypasses the long trek there is taking a toll on local Sherpa communities.
- By cutting short visitors’ time in the region, it reduces the earnings of porters, lodge owners and other small local businesses, as well as diminishes bonds with the community, according to residents living in the lap of Earth’s tallest mountain.
- Increasingly frequent helicopter flights have also brought noise pollution that impacts both wildlife and domestic livestock, while potentially exacerbating environmental risks like avalanches, landslides and glacial floods in the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
- Local leaders and youth groups are advocating for stricter regulations to limit helicopter flights, reroute them from sensitive areas, and promote ecotourism practices that balance development with conservation.
The paradox of balancing conservation efforts for Himalayan wolves and snow leopards (commentary)
- Although snow leopards cause greater livestock losses than Himalayan wolves, human communities generally show greater tolerance and acceptance toward snow leopards.
- This ‘predator paradox,’ where the more damaging predator is more tolerated, leads to less conservation support for wolves and more for snow leopards.
- “Both snow leopards and wolves are crucial to the Himalayan ecosystem, but conservation has overwhelmingly favored snow leopards. This disparity in attention and resources amplifies the challenges faced by wolves, highlighting the need for a balanced approach to conserve both species effectively,” a new op-ed argues.
- This post is a commentary. The views expressed are those of the author, not necessarily Mongabay.
Nepal’s top court strikes down law allowing development in protected areas
- Nepal’s highest court has scrapped a controversial new law that allowed infrastructure development, such as hotels and cable cars, inside protected areas.
- The law, passed in July, threatened to rezone protected areas to facilitate development projects, and its scrapping has been hailed by opponents as a significant victory for conservation efforts.
- A group of lawyers mounted a legal challenge to the law after its issuance, leading to an interim stay until the ruling.
- The court decision, issued Jan. 15, aligns with the court’s strong track record of prioritizing conservation and human rights, activists note.
Nepal PM sums up 2024 shift away from conservation: ‘Fewer tigers, less forest’
- Nepal’s Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli recently made remarks downplaying the significance of conservation efforts, suggesting reduced targets for tiger populations and forest cover, contradicting international commitments and national priorities.
- The comments come on the heels of the government introducing measures allowing large-scale infrastructure, including hydropower projects and hotels, in previously protected areas, raising concerns among conservationists, lawyers and Indigenous communities.
- The Supreme Court is reviewing a petition against these proposed changes, with a final ruling pending due to delays in court proceedings.
Still no sweet spot in 2024 for Nepal in balancing conservation & development
- Nepal faces ongoing challenges in balancing the development of infrastructure such as roads, railways and hydropower dams, with the need to conserve its rich biodiversity, forests and rivers.
- Infrastructure projects continue to raise ecological concerns, including habitat fragmentation, pollution, and risks to wildlife.
- Plans like the rerouting of the East-West Railway and buffer zones around rivers in Kathmandu have sparked protests due to fears of displacement, loss of property and economic hardships.
- These conflicts underline the challenges of aligning development with community and environmental needs.
Nepal’s forest-protecting communities may miss out on World Bank carbon funds
- Stakeholders warn that Nepal’s first results-based carbon funding of up to $45 million from the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) may be subjected to complex bureaucratic processes and lack of coordination among multiple government bodies.
- Only 72% of the funds are expected to reach the beneficiaries after administrative deductions, with further uncertainty about how much will directly benefit local forest-protecting communities, given potential operational costs and unclear disbursement mechanisms.
- Communities also face challenges in accessing the funds, such as the requirement to present proposals, navigate government procurement laws, and compete with private contractors.
- Nepal’s Forest Development Fund, responsible for disbursing payments, has been criticized for operational inefficiency, holding unspent reserves due to the lack of finalized guidelines.
Nepal created a forest fund to do everything; five years on it’s done nothing
- Nepal’s Forest Development Fund, established in 2019, was designed to support forest conservation, research and other environmental initiatives, but it has not spent any of the allocated funds in five years.
- The fund is meant to be financed through various sources, including lease fees from developers, compensatory afforestation payments, a percentage of profits from forest land use and revenue from carbon trading.
- Forest user communities, which have successfully increased forest cover in Nepal, continue to face financial difficulties, with illegal logging and wildfires exacerbating the situation, while the FDF remains frozen.
In 2024, Nepal faced old & new challenges after tripling its tiger population
- Nepal successfully increased its wild tiger population, tripling numbers since 2010, but this achievement brings challenges like human-wildlife conflict, habitat loss and balancing conservation with development.
- Growing tiger populations in areas with dense human settlements have intensified conflicts, creating hardships for communities living near protected areas and raising concerns about fair compensation for losses.
- Expanding infrastructure, such as highways through tiger habitats, poses risks like habitat fragmentation and increased wildlife-vehicle collisions, with budget constraints limiting necessary safeguards.
- Local communities relying on forest resources, especially wild edibles, face dangers from tiger encounters, highlighting the need for safer practices and improved community management.
In 2024, Nepal’s elusive snow leopards pounce into spotlight
- The year 2024 marks significant milestones for snow leopard conservation in Nepal, one of the animal’s 12 range countries.
- A snow leopard was found roaming the country’s plains and provided a home in the country’s central zoo.
- With the launch of a new conservation action plan, the government has initiated a shift in its approach to save the animal.
- Snow leopards also found their way into the popular imagination of filmmakers and even cricket enthusiasts.
Nepal’s rhino translocations to continue amid concerns over effectiveness
- Nepal’s government will continue the translocation of greater one-horned rhinos within Chitwan National Park to address overpopulation in the western sector, despite opposition from local tourism entrepreneurs citing potential economic impacts.
- The translocation aims to ensure a sustainable and evenly distributed rhino population, mitigate non-poaching-related deaths, and reduce risks from flooding and poaching in the western region, officials say.
- Tourism entrepreneurs in the western sector, however, argue that the relocation lacks adequate research, will harm local tourism-dependent economies, and say the western region remains the most suitable habitat for rhinos.
Nepal’s top court to rule next month on law allowing development in protected areas
- Nepal’s Supreme Court has completed hearings on a petition challenging changes to conservation laws and permitting infrastructure development in protected areas. A ruling is expected by Dec. 20.
- The law being challenged allows the government to designate areas within national parks as falling outside “highly sensitive zones” and thus opening them up to development projects like roads and hydropower.
- Conservationists argue this new definition threatens habitats and undermines decades of conservation progress.
- Conservationists fear that the law could exploit natural resources, displace local communities, and shrink critical habitats, jeopardizing Nepal’s protected area system and wildlife.
‘Scratching the surface’ of Nepal butterfly research: Interview with Sanej Suwal
- With 692 identified species, including more than two dozen endemic, Nepal is an important habitat for butterflies. However, research is in its infancy due to insufficient funding, limited public interest and a lack of cultural emphasis on butterfly conservation.
- Sanej Suwal is one of a handful of researchers dedicated to butterfly research in Nepal, balancing species studies with public awareness initiatives. He organized Nepal’s first Big Butterfly Count, a citizen science initiative.
- Butterflies in Nepal likely face threats from climate change, habitat loss and urbanization. Despite their importance, butterfly research struggles with minimal funding and institutional recognition, requiring more researchers and global support to expand knowledge and conservation efforts.
New brown bear ‘stronghold’ in Nepal redraws species’ range map
- A population of brown bears has been discovered in western Nepal, extending the species’ known geographical range and suggesting a potential “contact zone” between the Himalayan and Tibetan brown bear subspecies.
- Researchers from the Himalayan Wolves Project discovered the bears during camera-trap studies in the Limi Valley, which is rich in biodiversity but has seen limited ecological research compared to other regions of Nepal.
- The bears exhibit physical traits associated with the Tibetan subspecies, but genetic analysis is necessary to confirm their subspecies classification and determine if they’re hybrids.
- Research indicates that habitat for brown bears in Nepal may shrink significantly due to climate change, with predictions showing up to 82% habitat loss by 2070 if global temperatures rise by 2.7°C (4.9°F) by end-century, emphasizing the urgent need for conservation efforts.
As Nepal counts its snow leopards, even the best estimate is still a guess
- A committee of experts is combining various studies across different times and regions to estimate Nepal’s snow leopard population for the first time using new standards.
- Past studies varied in their methodology, often leading to overestimates due to sampling bias. The committee is integrating camera-trap and genetic data from fragmented research across Nepal’s snow leopard habitat landscapes.
- Unlike tigers, Nepal’s better-known big cats, snow leopards live in rugged, expansive habitats, making simultaneous surveys across all habitats impractical. Setting up extensive camera traps, as is done for tigers, would be costly and logistically challenging.
- Accurate population estimates are crucial for funding and assessing conservation impact, though the elusive nature of snow leopards means even the best estimate, backed by science, will still be an educated guess.
Local reps should lead Nepal’s conservation education: Interview with Anil Adhikari
- Author, journalist and conservationist Anil Adhikari focuses on grassroots conservation education by creating books for schoolchildren that feature local wildlife such as red pandas (Ailurus fulgens) and snow leopards (Panthera uncia), aiming to foster early environmental awareness and pride.
- Adhikari incorporates colorful illustrations and community-based stories in his books, making them more appealing and relevant for rural students whose traditional textbooks are often in black and white.
- He advocates for local governments to take responsibility for conservation education.
As Kathmandu’s birds get used to humans, biodiversity suffers, studies show
- Rapid urbanization in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, has led to changes in bird behavior, with urban birds showing increased tolerance toward humans.
- The urban sprawl has caused habitat loss, with the city’s built-up area expanding by 112% between 1989 and 2019, largely at the expense of open green spaces and trees crucial for bird nesting.
- Birds such as the house crow have adapted by using urban materials, such as wires and human clothes, for nesting, while other species have become scarce or disappeared entirely from urban areas.
- Despite government efforts, researchers highlight the need for more native trees in urban areas to preserve bird habitats and promote biodiversity.
Search for new territory led Nepal’s ‘low-altitude’ snow leopard to get lost
- In January 2024, a snow leopard was found far from its usual high-elevation habitat, roaming in Nepal’s eastern plains — a region that’s the turf of the tiger.
- Researchers now conclude that the snow leopard, around 1.5 to 2 years old, likely lost its way during dispersal, a natural process in which young animals leave their birth area to establish their own territory.
- An analysis of the animal’s scat revealed the snow leopard had fed on blue sheep shortly before it was found, suggesting it had come from a higher altitude and ruling out the possibility that it had escaped from captivity.
Nepal’s deadly floods trigger calls for climate adaptation
Nepal is grappling with the aftermath of record floods that killed at least 246 people, including 32 children. The late September floods also displaced more than 10,000 households across the nation’s capital, Kathmandu, and surrounding districts, and caused widespread damage to infrastructure. The unprecedented rainfall on Sept. 28 was the heaviest ever recorded in Kathmandu, […]
Nepal’s snow leopard conservation shifts focus from research to conflict mitigation
- Nepal’s new snow leopard conservation plan for 2024-2030 marks a shift in focus from research and monitoring to community engagement and conflict resolution.
- The plan has a significantly increased budget of $14.24 million and allocates 26% to combat illegal wildlife trade by improving intelligence, law enforcement, and international collaboration.
- The plan acknowledges the impact of livestock depredation by snow leopards on local communities, which can lead to retaliatory killings and exacerbate human-wildlife conflict.
- Nepal still doesn’t have a scientific count of the number of snow leopards in the country.
Canine distemper likely infecting & killing Nepal’s leopards, study shows
- A recent study confirms that canine distemper virus (CDV) is circulating among common leopards (Panthera pardus) in Nepal, causing fatalities; this is the first documentation of live CDV in leopards, establishing a direct link to their deaths.
- Researchers analyzed tissue samples from leopards that exhibited symptoms such as difficulty breathing and seizures, collected from areas like Kathmandu and Dolakha; they identified the virus’ genetic material and confirmed it was the Asia-5 lineage of CDV.
- The presence of different sublineages (A, B and C) of CDV in leopards suggests they may have acquired the virus from multiple sources, including domestic dogs and wild carnivores, highlighting the potential for cross-species transmission.
- The researchers emphasize the importance of controlling CDV spread through dog vaccination, as vaccinating wild animals isn’t possible.
Eminent Nepali conservation NGOs demand repeal of controversial law
- Nepali conservation groups and environmentalists call on the Supreme Court to repeal a controversial law allowing private infrastructure projects inside protected areas.
- The law paves the way for projects like hydropower plants, cable cars, hotels and railways in conservation areas, which may exploit natural resources and harm local communities dependent on them.
- Introduced to attract investment, the law has raised concerns about its impact on Nepal’s conservation efforts, with the Supreme Court issuing an interim stay.
- Conservationists argue that the government did not consult stakeholders during the law’s drafting process, further eroding trust in its environmental policies.
Supreme Court decision on saving Kathmandu rivers stirs up heated reactions
- The Supreme Court of Nepal has ruled to extend no-construction zones along major rivers in Kathmandu Valley, sparking varied reactions.
- Environmental activists praise the decision for addressing severe river pollution and encroachment, but the federal government has requested a review due to local opposition.
- The ruling introduces an additional 20-meter (66-foot) buffer zone, which would impact thousands of households, raising concerns about property rights and potential displacement.
- Critics argue the ruling will cause economic hardship and require substantial compensation, prompting the government and local authorities to seek revisions.
In Nepal, conservation battles head to Supreme Court amid civil society silence
- Nepal’s Supreme Court is becoming a battleground for conservationists due to the absence of civil society voices.
- Civil society’s silence contrasts with past protests over cultural and environmental issues, which led to policy reversals without court intervention.
- The court has historically supported sustainable development but it lacks a dedicated green tribunal, making it vulnerable to accusations of being “anti-development.”
In Nepal, a humble edible fern is at heart of human-tiger conflict
- In Kathmandu, fiddlehead ferns, also referred to as niuro locally, are highly prized, especially in the monsoon season when the markets first stock them.
- Niuro is also a vital source of income for people in Nepal’s lowlands, especially those close to national parks like Chitwan and Bardiya, where the fern grows abundantly.
- News reports of fatalities related to niuro collection frequently highlight the risks involved, as harvesters frequently put their lives in danger to collect more ferns for financial gain.
- In order to lessen conflicts between people and wildlife, one piece of advice is to update community forest management plans to incorporate safer methods for gathering wild edibles like niuro and to look into sustainable livelihood options.
As in India, tigers in Nepal may seek refuge in sugarcane fields
- A fatal tiger attack occurred near a sugarcane field in Nepal in August, raising concerns about tigers using sugarcane farms as refuge.
- Sugarcane cultivation in Nepal has expanded significantly, from 7,000 hectares (17,300 acres) in 1961 to 62,500 hectares (155,000 acres) in 2022, primarily in the Terai region where tiger populations have also grown.
- • Experts suggest that sugarcane fields may provide refuge or even habitat similar to tall grasslands in protected areas, potentially attracting tigers, especially weaker or dispersing individuals.
- While the phenomenon of “sugarcane tigers” is well documented in India, more research is needed in Nepal to determine the extent to which tigers use sugarcane farms.
Nepal’s first community-based red panda conservation area sparks hope
- Nepal’s first community-based red panda conservation area has been established in the Puwamajhuwa area of Ilam Municipality, covering 116 hectares (287 acres) of temperate broad-leaved forests.
- The conservation area aims to protect the endangered red panda species (Ailurus fulgens), promote ecotourism and contribute to local community livelihoods.
- This initiative demonstrates the increased authority of local governments in Nepal following the 2015 Constitution, allowing for community-driven conservation efforts.
Government inaction leaves Nepal without strategy to tackle invasive species
- A 2016 study ranks Nepal fourth globally in vulnerability to invasive species threats, particularly in agriculture.
- Yet despite drafting a management strategy to deal with the issue seven years ago, Nepal has still not finalized and implemented it.
- The country has identified 182 alien flowering plant species, with 27 considered invasive, affecting forests, agriculture and wildlife habitats.
- Experts stress the importance of swift action, noting that the window of opportunity to effectively manage invasive species is small.
Budget constraints limit wildlife protection in major Nepali road project
- Nepal is expanding a 115-kilometer (71-mile) section of its East-West Highway from two to four lanes, aiming to improve travel times and connectivity.
- The expanded highway passes through 11 forest patches near Chitwan National Park, raising concerns about wildlife safety and mobility.
- Budget constraints prevented the construction of wildlife overpasses and limited modifications to 12 key structures for animal crossings.
- Conservationists worry that without proper safeguards, the expanded highway could lead to increased wildlife-vehicle collisions and habitat fragmentation, potentially undermining conservation efforts in the region.
Nepal’s buffalo-kills-tiger story reveals deeper pains in compensation system
- A tethered buffalo killed a Bengal tiger on the fringes of Chitwan National Park in Nepal.
- The incident highlights lapses in the compensation system, particularly the lack of provisions for providing assistance to owners of domestic animals that are injured but do not die immediately from predator attacks.
- The buffalo owner says he bought the animal on loan and its milk was a vital source of income for the family.
Time to highlight South Asia’s less-studied vultures: Interview with Krishna Bhusal
- The dramatic decline of South Asia’s vulture populations, particularly the Gyps genus, was traced to the veterinary drug diclofenac, which caused fatal kidney failure in vultures that fed on treated carcasses.
- In response to the crisis, Nepal implemented vulture safe zones, banning diclofenac, monitoring vulture populations, and establishing “vulture restaurants” providing uncontaminated carrion, and captive-breeding programs to support vulture recovery.
- Researcher Krishna Bhusal says conservation efforts have primarily focused on Gyps species, known as griffon vultures, because of their regional significance and the population collapse that caught global attention.
- Other vulture species, such as bearded vultures and Egyptian vultures, have received less attention despite also facing significant threats, highlighting a gap in research and conservation efforts.
Reporting confirms alleged Indigenous rights violations in Nepal hydropower project
- Tucked between mountains sacred to Indigenous peoples in eastern Nepal, a conflict is brewing between Sangrila Urja Pvt. Ltd., a hydropower company, and yak herders who say the company violated the law by lying in government reports.
- The tug-of-war between the hydropower company and the Bhote Singsa communities is taking place in the Lungbasamba landscape, a biocultural heritage home to endangered flora and fauna and that communities have preserved for generations.
- Mongabay was able to verify most of the communities’ claims and confirm fabricated information in the environmental impact assessment, forged signatures during a public hearing and a lack of proper consultation with the community.
- The company director refutes the allegations and evidence and says it awaits the resumption of its activities once a lawsuit filed by civil society organizations confirms they can move forward with the project.
In Nepal, a cable car in a sacred forest sparks swift, and controversial, direct action
- In Nepal, a recent push to build cable cars to boost tourism in natural beauty spots carries significant environmental costs.
- A controversial cable car project has been proposed in Mukkumlung, far-eastern Nepal, a site revered by the Indigenous Yakthung (Limbu) community.
- After thousands of trees were felled by contractors to begin the construction in mid-May, Indigenous protesters organized a total shutdown of services in the town of Phungling and closed the major transport corridors in the region.
- Their efforts resulted in a temporary stalling of the construction process, but the project is unlikely to be postponed indefinitely.
‘Lost’ snow leopard to remain at Kathmandu zoo, officials say
- A snow leopard found in Nepal’s lowland at the start of the year will remain at Kathmandu’s Central Zoo, officials have announced.
- The juvenile male has recovered from injuries it had when it was found, and currently occupies a temperature-controlled quarantine shelter at the zoo.
- A committee formed by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation recommended that the snow leopard should not be released back into the wild due to its prolonged captivity.
- Six months since its capture, there’s still no consensus as to how the mountain-dwelling snow leopard ended up in the plains, with theories ranging from natural dispersal to escape from traffickers.
In Nepal, criticizing government conservation policies is becoming harder
- Public criticism of the government’s conservation policies is becoming more muted due to fears of professional repercussions, such as obstructed permits and funding cuts, especially for NGOs reliant on government cooperation.
- The debate over natural resource exploitation versus conservation has become increasingly politicized, with economic arguments clashing with ecological concerns.
- Conservationists attempt to influence policies through private meetings with officials, but these efforts are often insufficient. They also urge the media to scrutinize government decisions more effectively.
Nepal’s railway rerouting plan to avoid Chitwan park sparks fiery backlash
- On July 14, residents of Bharatpur on the fringes of Chitwan National Park burned a vehicle of a survey team, mistaking them for officials planning a controversial railway project reroute.
- The government’s decision to reroute the railway through Bharatpur to avoid Chitwan National Park has sparked local protests due to fears of displacement and inadequate compensation.
- Bharatpur’s rapid development and population growth have heightened tensions, with residents demanding the railway be rerouted farther north to avoid their homes. But doing so may not be technically and financially possible.
Rhino poop draws all the deer (and boars and more) to the yard, study finds
- Researchers have discovered that a variety of animals, from spotted deer to rhesus monkeys and peafowl, are attracted to and consume rhino excrement in Nepal’s Chitwan and Shuklaphanta national parks.
- The study used camera traps to record animal interactions with rhino dung, revealing that some animals eat the dung, the plants growing on it, the insects near it, or use the latrine areas for other activities.
- The findings suggest that translocation and reintroduction of even a few rhinos in their historical range can contribute positively to the restoration of the ecosystem.
Nepal’s youngest national park looks to elevated lanes to prevent roadkill
- The Amlekhgunj-Pathlaiya section of Nepal’s East-West Highway, a major trade route to India, cuts through Parsa National Park, leading to frequent wildlife roadkill incidents, including of endangered species such as tigers.
- Plans are underway to expand the highway to four lanes, which could exacerbate the issue; to address this, officials are considering building elevated sections to allow safe wildlife crossings.
- The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation has proposed two elevated roads around Parsa National Park, and negotiations are ongoing with the Asian Development Bank for funding.
- Nepal introduced guidelines on wildlife-friendly infrastructure in 2022, which mandate safeguard measures for development projects; the proposed elevated roads in Parsa and Chitwan could set a precedent for future conservation efforts.
Nepal’s shifting biodiversity research landscape: Interview with Karan Bahadur Shah
- Veteran Nepali researcher Professor Karan Bahadur Shah highlights the shift from manual data recording and fieldwork in the past to the ease and efficiency of modern digital tools, though he notes increased competition and focus on quantity over quality.
- There are more complex and extensive funding opportunities now, with advanced technology like satellite tags improving research capabilities. However, misuse of technology, such as spreading false information and manipulating data, is a growing concern.
- He argues that attributing events to climate change is challenging due to the lack of long-term data in Nepal. He believes that Nepal’s forests and lack of large polluting industries may reduce its vulnerabilities to climate change.
Nepal launches new plan to boost critically endangered Bengal florican
- Nepal has launched a 10-year conservation action plan for the Bengal florican to recover and restore the population of the critically endangered bird to the country’s grasslands.
- The plan focuses on habitat expansion, captive breeding, and raising awareness among communities living in the bird’s range.
- These approaches aim to tackle the key challenges of grassland management, habitat conversion, poaching, and insufficient research.
- Conservationists have welcomed the plan, but warn it faces difficulty securing funding, given that much of the resources for wildlife conservation in Nepal go toward charismatic species such as tigers and rhinos.
Activists blame policy failures over climate change for Nepal Terai’s water crisis
- Deforestation and unregulated extraction of resources in the youngest and most fragile of the Himalayan ranges have disrupted groundwater recharge and increased soil erosion, contributing to the current water crisis.
- Activists criticize the government for blaming global climate change to deflect from local accountability and for neglecting Chure’s conservation while focusing on Himalayan snowmelt.
- Despite conservation efforts, government plans to export construction materials from Chure continue, risking further environmental damage and criminal influence.
From the Amazon to the Himalayas, an invasive catfish makes its Nepal debut
- Researchers discovered specimens of Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus, an Amazonian catfish, in a river in eastern Nepal, marking the first record of this species in the country’s rivers.
- How the fish ended up here remains uncertain, with possible explanations including religious release or upstream migration from India.
- Experts warn the presence of the species could severely disrupt Nepal’s freshwater ecosystems, due to the lack of natural predators and their potential to outcompete native species.
Nepal’s top engineering, forestry colleges to align on development and conservation
- Nepal’s leading civil engineering and forestry institutions are collaborating for the first time to develop new courses for their students to bridge the gap between infrastructure development and biodiversity conservation.
- Rapid infrastructure development over the past decade threatens Nepal’s forests, crucial habitats for wildlife like Bengal tigers and greater one-horned rhinos, posing risks like road kill and habitat fragmentation.
- Officials from the Ministry of Forest and Environment and the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, most of whom are graduates of the two institutions, often clash over development priorities, leading to back-and-forth accusations of “anti-development” and “anti-nature.”
Nepal’s legal barriers hinder genetic research, forcing scientists to improvise
- Nepali researchers face significant challenges in conducting genetic studies due to lack of legislation to allow the export of biological samples, which hinders the quality and efficiency of their research.
- Researchers are forced to use under-equipped local labs or alternative methods such as museum samples, resulting in delayed and often unsatisfactory results that impact the validity of their studies.
- The government’s restrictions, partly motivated by fears of biopiracy and a lack of regulatory commitment, result in missed opportunities for advancing conservation science and better protecting Nepal’s biodiversity, researchers say.
Fear and hardship for the last community inside Chitwan, Nepal’s tiger central
- Residents of Nepal’s Madi Valley have for the last half century lived almost entirely surrounded by Chitwan National Park, famous for its tigers, leopards and rhinos.
- While the wildlife are a major tourist draw for the park, for the community they’re a constant source of fear, with attacks on people, livestock and crops far higher here than elsewhere in Nepal.
- The fate of the community epitomizes the tricky balance Nepal has tried to strike between conservation efforts and community welfare, complicated by cultural and political factors and the broader history of relocation in the Chitwan region.
- Though many residents have moved away from Madi, the poorest have been left behind, with no choice but to eke out a precarious existence as intruders on their own land.
Nepal court rules protected areas and forests off-limits for land distribution
- Nepal’s government can’t distribute land in national parks and forest areas to landless individuals, the country’s Supreme Court has ruled, emphasizing the protection of natural resources.
- Land ownership in Nepal has historically been concentrated among the powerful, leaving marginalized communities without land titles — a key grievance during the country’s Maoist-led rebellion from 1996-2006.
- The Forest Act and other regulations prevent the use of forest and public lands for settlement, complicating the government’s efforts to provide land to the landless without violating conservation laws.
On World Otter Day, an uphill struggle for these creatures in Nepal
- Severe degradation of Nepal’s rivers due to overexploitation has negatively impacted otters and other aquatic species.
- Dumping of raw sewage and industrial waste, leaching of agricultural pesticides, and rapid urbanization and infrastructure developments are undermining otter habitats across the country.
- The widespread damming of rivers coupled with unsustainable fishing practices have also reduced food sources for Nepal’s otters.
- The country is home to two, possibly three, otter species, but conservationists say funding and attention for the welfare of these animals tend to be overshadowed by that for Nepal’s higher-profile wildlife, such as tigers and rhinos.
Exploring the science of Asian elephants: Interview with Sanjeeta Sharma Pokharel
- Nepali researcher Sanjeeta Sharma Pokharel explores Asian elephant physiology and behavior in response to ecological challenges, emphasizing the importance of context and experience in understanding elephants.
- She underlines the need for cross-border cooperation and learning between Nepal and India to understand the behavior of the animals and to minimize negative interactions.
- She says future research needs to delve into zoonotic diseases and climate change impacts to prevent the extinction of Asian elephants and improve conservation strategies.
Innovative Nepali PSA seeks emotional connection to save red pandas
- A public service announcement video featuring actors in costumes resembling red pandas uses a poem and theatrical performance to create an emotional connection with the audience, rather than preaching at them.
- Red pandas, found in Nepal, India, Bhutan, and China, are endangered by habitat loss, poaching and accidental snaring.
- The PSA highlights the interconnectedness of human survival and red panda conservation, aiming to foster a deeper understanding and lasting impact on younger generations, the producers say.
In a Himalayan Eden, a road project promises opportunity, but also loss
- In Nepal’s sacred Tsum Valley, Buddhist community members are conflicted about the ongoing construction of a road that will pass through the region.
- The Tsum Valley is one of the few, if not last, remaining beyul, or sacred valleys, governed by customary and Buddhist laws, where humans and wildlife have lived together in harmony for more than a millennium.
- The valley has maintained its religious and cultural traditions that have conserved biodiversity and its cultural uniqueness due to its remote location.
- The road is part of a government project that aims to connect every town across the country, bringing economic development and government services closer to remote mountainous communities.
Owl conservationist Raju Acharya wins Whitley Award in hat trick for Nepal
- Raju Acharya, a Nepali conservationist, won the Whitley Award for his owl conservation efforts, marking the third consecutive win for Nepal.
- Acharya’s work focuses on challenging stereotypes and advocating for owl conservation in Nepal, despite facing societal stigmas and challenges.
- He plans to use the prize money of 50,000 pounds ($62,600) to enhance conservation initiatives in central Nepal, targeting law enforcement training and community engagement.
Multilateral development banks must prioritize clean & community-led energy projects (commentary)
- Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), governments, and corporations across 160 countries consider or approve more than one investment per day in the energy sector.
- Despite commitments to tackle the climate crisis, many of these investments support the fossil fuel industry, while others invest in false clean energy solutions like hydropower which often cause harm to local communities.
- “To achieve a just energy transition, MDBs and governments must prioritize sustainable renewable energy models that empower communities and ensure inclusive energy access,” a new op-ed argues.
- This post is a commentary. The views expressed are those of the authors, not necessarily Mongabay.
Flocking together may create birds of a feather, study finds
- Surveys of several sites, including Nepal’s Chitwan National Park, show that the lesser necklaced laughingthrush may be physically mimicking a larger species, the greater necklaced laughingthrush, for benefit.
- Findings suggest the benefits for the smaller bird include no longer needing to be vigilant for predators when foraging for food, as the bigger bird does this job.
- Previous reports show the lesser necklaced laughingthrush is already known for vocal mimicry, where it produces the call of another bird.
- Mimicry among various species potentially serves as an evolutionary strategy for protection and foraging benefits.
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