Introduction

Greater One-horned Rhinoceros

Nepal embarked upon modern era of wildlife conservation with the enactment of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act in 1973. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation presently works with a network of 8 National Parks, 4 Wildlife Reserves, 3 Conservation Areas, 1 Hunting Reserve including 5 Buffer Zones around national parks, covering a total of 27,345 sq. km., or 18.58% of the country’s total land. It was established to conserve, restore and manage the rich and varied fauna, flora and the landscape of the mountainous kingdom of Nepal. An office had been set up in 1972 under the Department of Forests, His Majesty’s Government of Nepal, to initiate the task before it was formally upgraded as a Department in 1980. Altitudinal variances in short distance give Nepal’s bio-geography variety that range from lush moist forests and sparse alpine deserts to luxurious grasslands in lowland terai. The Himalayan kingdom also shelters some of the world’s rare animals. Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park and Royal Chitwan National Park with typical natural, cultural and landscape characteristics were listed as World Heritage Sites in 1979 and 1984 respectively. The Koshi Tappu Wildllife Reserve, a wetland of international significance, was declared a Rammer Site in 1987.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the Department are to conserve the country’s major representative ecosystems, unique natural and cultural heritage, and give protection to the valuable and endangered wildlife species. It also encourages scientific research for the preservation of wild genetic diversity.

Activities

With the early emphasis on species conservation, the Department’s present priority stresses a conciliatory approach with participatory management of biodiversity. The specific activities of the Department are:

• Conservation of endangered and other wildlife species.
• Scientific management of habitat for wildlife species.
• Creation of buffer zones in and around parks and reserves for the sustainable management of forest resources.
• Regulated eco-tourism to improve socio-economic condition of local communities.
• Creating awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation through conservation education

• Conservation of Endangered Wild Flora and Fauna
• Scientific management of habitat for wildlife species
• Creation of Buffer Zones in and around Parks and Reserves
• Regulated eco-tourism to improve socio-economic condition of local communities
• Creating awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation through conservation education

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