Related bodies from Nepal, India promise to protect biodiversity, wildlife

Khalanga (Darchula), June 5: Officials from relevant sectors have pledged to strengthen efforts to curb the smuggling of biodiversity resources including plants and wildlife while enhancing conservation initiatives in the hilly districts of Sudurpaschim Province and bordering regions of India.

The commitments were expressed during a bilateral meeting organized by the Api Nampa Conservation Area Office, Darchula, with support from the National Trust for Nature Conservation and the Shuklaphanta Conservation Programme. Participants stressed the need for enhanced collaboration and coordination in forest and wildlife conservation efforts.

Both sides agreed to adopt innovative information systems to monitor and combat the illegal trade of timber and medicinal herbs in border areas, and to improve protection for both wildlife and livestock, it is said.

Strengthening information exchange between the two countries on biodiversity conservation, establishing local mechanisms to identify and monitor groups involved in the illegal transit and trade of medicinal plants and wildlife and organizing training programmes for frontline forest personnel engaged in conservation work were among those issues discussed with priority in the meeting. 

On the occasion, Ashutosh Singh, Chief of the Forest Office of Pithoragarh Division in Uttarakhand, India, presented a working paper highlighting wildlife conservation, management, and cross-border challenges. He stressed that cooperation and the establishment of a required mechanism between the two nations is essential for protecting biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance.

Binaya Kumar Jha, Warden of the Api Nampa Conservation Area Office, said that biodiversity is under increasing threat from smuggling, overexploitation of natural resources, and the impacts of climate change. He stressed that cooperation and collaboration should be a top priority for all concerned bodies to address the challenges. 

The meeting also assessed the current status of biodiversity within the Api Nampa Conservation Area, which includes regions such as Tinker, Byas, Changrung, Gunji Stream, and Dumling, and discussed ongoing forest and plant conservation endevours in these areas. (RSS)