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Fishing cats misunderstood, misidentified in Nepal’s Kapilvastu
- Fishing cats in Nepal are often misunderstood and mistaken for leopards or blamed for fish losses, leading to retaliation and conflict with fish farmers.
- Surveillance measures like CCTV and myths have fueled fear and misinformation, despite little evidence showing fishing cats as major threats to aquaculture.
- A conservation initiative called “fish banks” tried to reduce conflict by compensating farmers with fish instead of money but had mixed results and eventually lost funding.
- Experts emphasize the need for science-based conservation, better population data and public education to protect fishing cats and promote coexistence in human-altered landscapes.
Nepal announces its snow leopard population after first-of-its-kind assessment
- Nepal has released its first consolidated national estimate of snow leopards, placing the population at 397 individuals, after synthesizing multiple studies conducted between 2015 and 2024.
- Despite covering just 2% of global snow leopard habitat, Nepal hosts nearly 10% of the global population, making it the fourth largest population of the species.
- The estimate contributes to the Population Assessment of the World’s Snow Leopards (PAWS), a global initiative aiming for standardized and robust population assessments across all 12 snow leopard range countries.
- While the estimate is a milestone, it’s based on just 43% of Nepal’s potential snow leopard habitat, with key areas like Dhorpatan and Api-Nampa still under-surveyed.
Photos: The volunteers standing guard at one of Nepal’s human-wildlife frontiers
- CBAPU, a dedicated volunteer group, is actively working to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts in Nepal’s Bardiya National Park by preventing wildlife incursions and protecting local communities.
- The region experiences frequent human-wildlife conflict incidents, mostly involving elephants and tigers, leading to fatalities and injuries among both communities and wildlife.
- CBAPU’s initiatives combine local ecological knowledge with modern techniques like firecrackers, laser lights and drones to safely deter wildlife.
- Despite its successes, CBAPU faces challenges due to the lack of legal recognition, financial support and safety measures for volunteers, threatening the sustainability of their efforts.
Nepal farmers regret planting government-hyped eucalyptus
In the late 1970s, Nepal launched a reforestation project to restore its massively deforested lands in the southeastern Terai landscape. However, the main tree of choice, eucalyptus, after showing initial signs of success has now proven detrimental to the region’s soil moisture and fertility, Mongabay contributor Mukesh Pokhrel reported in February. To prepare for the […]
How cultural and religious beliefs combine for snow leopard conservation (commentary)
- “Deep-rooted cultural beliefs and legal protections continue to play a crucial role in safeguarding snow leopards, supported by awareness campaigns that reinforce traditional practices and conservation,” a new commentary explains.
- In many areas across their range where livestock are killed by the rare predators, farmers’ religious customs often dictate that they must not harmed in retaliation.
- This article is a commentary. The views expressed are those of the author, not necessarily Mongabay.
Nepali farmers switch crops to reduce human-elephant conflict
A village on Nepal’s border with India has found a way to reduce conflicts with wild Asian elephants in recent years: By switching their crops from rice and maize, which elephants love to eat, to tea and lemon, the farmers of Bahundangi are now seeing fewer elephants devouring their harvest, Mongabay contributor Deepak Adhikari reported […]
Nepal collaborates with neighbors to gain wildlife crime intel but struggles with enforcement
- Nepal collaborates with India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka through networks like South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), which have helped uncover major wildlife trafficking rackets.
- Overlapping jurisdictions, lack of expertise, and limited coordination between police, forest offices and the paramilitary security forces hinder effective prosecution of wildlife crimes in Nepal.
- While Nepal police have increased arrests and training, experts stress the need for better crime scene documentation, inter-agency coordination, and stricter enforcement of wildlife laws.
Three new gecko species described in Nepal: Interview with herpetologist Santosh Bhattarai
- Researchers in Nepal have discovered three new-to-science species of bent-toed geckos — Cyrtodactylus chitwanensis (Chitwan Bent-toed Gecko), Cyrtodactylus annapurnaensis (Annapurna Bent-toed Gecko), and Cyrtodactylus karanshahi (Karan’s Bent-toed Gecko).
- These geckos were found at elevations between 980–1,600 meters (3,215-5,250 feet), bridging a significant geographical gap in Nepal’s bent-toed gecko distribution, which previously had only three known species from its easternmost and westernmost regions.
- The geckos face threats from habitat destruction due to land-use changes, infrastructure development and mining. Since geckos are nocturnal and often go unnoticed in environmental impact assessments, their populations are at risk of disappearing before they are properly studied, says lead researcher Santosh Bhattarai.
Future for Nature Award 2025 winners conserve frogs, pangolins, dwarf deer
Three young conservationists were recently named winners of the 2025 Future For Nature (FFN) Awards for their initiatives to conserve amphibians, pangolins and Andean wildlife. The winners will each receive 50,000 euros ($54,000), FFN said in a statement. “Working in conservation can be tough,” Anthony Waddle, the winner from Australia, told Mongabay by email. “We […]
Fishing cat home range far bigger than previously thought, Nepal study suggests
- A GPS-collaring study in southeastern Nepal found that fishing cats could have much larger home ranges than previously recorded.
- Contrary to popular belief among local communities, some fishing cats were found to inhabit human-dominated landscapes, rather than only visiting them at night.
- Researchers suggest that low prey density in Nepal’s Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and more accurate GPS tracking may explain the larger home ranges observed.
- The study highlights the need for community engagement in conservation, as fishing cats help control rodent populations and face threats from habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict.
Chitwan city using Indo-Nepal wildlife corridor for waste dump
- Bharatpur Metropolitan City has been dumping waste in the Barandabhar corridor, an international wildlife passage, based on an initial environmental examination (IEE) that falsely claimed the site was barren and ignored the presence of more than 2,000 trees, including ecologically significant species like sal (Shorea robusta), a Mongabay investigation reveals.
- The landfill site disrupts a key corridor for species such as tigers (Panthera tigris) and rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis), jeopardizing their movement and habitat. The federal government’s investment in an elevated road for safe wildlife passage may be undermined by ongoing waste disposal.
- Despite legal requirements for a full environmental impact assessment (EIA) for landfills in forest areas, the city relied on an outdated and misleading initial environmental assessment (IEE). The Department of Forests has not approved tree felling, yet local officials persist in waste dumping, citing lack of alternatives.
Farmers in Nepal and India see red as blue bulls raid their crops
- The uncontrolled proliferation of nilgai antelopes (also known as blue bulls) in Nepal’s southern plains has forced many farmers to abandon agriculture due to severe crop damage.
- Nilgai numbers have risen rapidly due to reduced hunting and lack of predators, yet no scientific consensus exists on the exact cause for the population boom.
- Farmers are demanding classification of nilgais as an agricultural pest to allow control measures, but authorities are slow to act, citing the need for further studies.
- Potential solutions being touted include relocating nilgais to tiger habitats, clearing away invasive weeds so the animals don’t venture into farms to feed, and allowing controlled hunting — though experts say killing nilgais isn’t a sustainable solution.
Global South’s urban poor burn plastic as fuel, researchers say
Plastic is increasingly being used for fuel by much of the world’s urban poor, to the detriment of the health of local people and their environment, researchers argue in a new commentary. As of 2021, roughly 56% of the world lives in an urban area. At the same time, nearly half a billion tons of […]
In Nepal, a eucalyptus boom became an ecological cautionary tale
- Nepal’s Sagarnath Forest Development Project which ran a reforestation program from 1977-1984 and introduced eucalyptus as a fast-growing, low-maintenance solution for deforestation and fuelwood needs.
- While eucalyptus initially thrived, it depleted soil moisture and negatively impacted nearby crops, leading to reduced yields and financial losses for the farmers who had replaced traditional crops like rice and mustard with large-scale eucalyptus plantations.
- Discontent over eucalyptus’s effects, and the lack of guidance by those who promoted the planting scheme, led to widespread removal of trees, legal disputes among farmers, and complaints to local governments.
- Experts say such large-scale exotic tree plantations are no longer permitted under national and international biodiversity laws, with the project’s failure highlighting the importance of considering ecological sustainability, soil health and informed decision-making in reforestation efforts.
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.
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