Kathmandu: Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, emphasized the necessity of promoting ecotourism within the nation’s conservation areas and linking it to the livelihoods of the local populace. This statement was made during the 30th Wildlife Week program organized by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Shahi highlighted the importance of conservation areas generating their own revenue to increase income. He noted that the rising wildlife population has led to an uptick in human-wildlife conflicts, posing management challenges. Minister Shahi called for support from various stakeholders, including the Forests Ministry, to manage and mitigate these issues.
Dr. Deepak Kumar Kharal, Secretary at the Forests Ministry, remarked on the successful conservation efforts by the Department and underscored the need for activities focused on human-wildlife conflict management. He suggested fostering a unified understanding and ownership of conservation efforts among local communities.
Dr. Ram Chandra Kandel, Director General of the Department, emphasized the collective involvement needed to address the challenges of protecting the achievements made in wildlife population growth. He also mentioned that the week-long program would significantly contribute to raising public awareness about conservation.
Other officials, including Deputy Director General Bed Kumar Dhakal, senior ecologist Hari Bhandra Acharya, Chairperson of the Forest Technicians Association Dr. Rakesh Karna, and Director of the National Trust for Nature Conservation Dr. Chirinjivi Prasad Pokharel, reiterated the importance of collective involvement in resolving human-wildlife conflicts, which remain a pressing challenge.