Living with Rhinos: Integrative Conservation in Nepal

by Up coming Project

Greater One Horned Rhinoceros (GOHR) once used to range from the floodplain of the Indus valley in Pakistan through the Ganges, Bhramaputra to Myanmar with a minimal total population estimate of 4,76,140 individuals. This species almost extirpated when its population in Kaziranga, Assam, India went down to an estimated 12 individuals in 1908 and 60-80 total individuals in the 1960s in Nepal. Now, this species has been restricted to India, Nepal and Bhutan (Bhutan has a non-resident population from bordering Manas National Park of India). Fortunately, the GOHR population has now increased in both (India and Nepal) countries but its conservation is still a challenge to deal.   In Nepal, Chitwan National Park possess the second highest population of the GOHR (n=694 rhinos) in the world, after Kaziranga National Park of Assam, India (2613 rhinos). Now, the country has three viable populations of rhinos in different protected areas, viz., Bardia National Park (n=38), Shuklaphanta National Park (n=17) and Parsa National Park (n=3).

Threats

It faces a multitude of threats which include poaching, diseases, habitat loss and degradation, illegal trophy trade, use of pesticides in the agricultural fields, electrocution, impacts of invasive and alien, human-rhino conflict while emerging issues comprehend reduction in genetic diversity and climate change impact on rhino and its habitat.

How can we conserve this charismatic species?

  1. Research on rhinos focusing on their ecology, behaviour and genetics
  2. Fostering human-rhino co-existence in the fringe area of the protected areas
  3. Awareness program through community and school program
  4. Train and strengthen Community-based anti-poaching units and enforcement agencies
  5. Coordination and collaboration with conservation stakeholders for rhino and its habitat conservation and management.

Save The Frogs Day-2024

by Up coming Project

SAVE THE FROGS! Day was marked on 28 April in Madhesh Province; jointly by Nepal Conservation and Research Center and Biodiversity Research and Conservation Society in support of Save The Frogs-an amphibian conservation organization to Bishal Prasad Neupane and Katie Adamson Conservation Fund, USA.

Online Photo/Video Contest:- Prior to celebrate the day; photo and video competition was held on social media herpsNEPAL Facebook group. We received total 30 submissions (28 photos and 02 videos) from different parts of Nepal. The idea of photo/video contest is to conduct social media campaign for frog conservation. All the contestants who participated the competition will receive a recently published “Lowland Frogs of Nepal Poster”.

One of the photos submitted by photo contestants; Minervarya nepalensis by Kismat Neupane.

The Save The Frogs Day (28 April 2024):- The day was celebrated in Simara Public school and Thanimai Community Forest with activities such as frog conservation importance sessions; frog face painting; herping and nature walk at Thanimai Community Forest.

Dipendra Adhikari Memorial Conservation Grant Result Announcement

by News

With Reference to notice (of the second announcement on 22 January, 2024) for the proposal for “Dipendra Adhikari Memorial Conservation Grant” announced by Nepal Conservation and Research Center; this is to notify that the following candidate has been selected for the grant:

S.N.Successful candidateAffiliationResearch TopicLevel
1.Anishka SahIOF, HetaudaStudy on Leopard occupancy and its relation to human-leopard conflict in Buffer Zone of Parsa National ParkM.Sc.
Candidate in waiting  
 Mamata SapkotaPatan CampusDynamics of Human-Tiger conflict in Buffer Zone Area: A study from Chitwan National Nark, NepalM.Sc.

The above successful candidate is requested to contact Nepal Conservation and Research Center (at ncrc.research@gmail.com) within 15 April 2024. If the successful candidate is not able to contact, then the candidate in waiting list will be awarded.

Declaration: This memorial grant was possible from generous support of Dipendra’s friends and conservationists from Nepal and abroad. NCRC would like acknowledge all the supporters to make this happen.

Dipendra Adhikari Memorial Conservation Grant Notice

by News

Second Announcement (Deadline: 15 March 2024)

With support from Dipendra’s friends and conservationists in Nepal to honor his legacy, we have established the Dipendra Adhikari Memorial Conservation Grant. This initiative aims to continue his conservation efforts by providing support to students for their project work/thesis/dissertation dedicated to exploring and safeguarding biodiversity of Nepal. The grant seeks to fund student research, initiatives, and practical conservation projects that align with Dipendra’s vision.

Eligibility

  1. The grant is open to individuals who are currently pursuing M.Sc. in Forestry, Environment Science, Zoology, Wildlife and allied natural resources conservation.
  2. The grant is available to Nepalese citizens only.
  3. The grantee should have his/her substantial fieldwork in Nepal.

Scope and Priorities

  1. Studies involving threatened and data deficient species will be given preference.
  2. Studies in biodiversity research in Hyaena distribution range will be prioritized.
  3. Studies in Terai and Siwaliks will be prioritized.
  4. Individuals within the age of 20-30 years will be given preference.

Grant Criteria

  1. Alignment with Scope and Goals: Proposals should align within the scope of the grant and a broader goals of biodiversity conservation in Nepal
  2. Innovation: Projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to wildlife conservation will be favored.
  3. Feasibility: Applicants should present a clear and feasible plan, outlining the project’s objectives, methods, and expected outcomes.
  4. Impact: Emphasis will be placed on projects with tangible and sustainable impacts on the targeted species or ecosystems.

Grant Amount

NRs. 50,000 (Fifty thousand Nepalese rupees); tax will be deducted as per government rules.

Grant deadline

15 March 2024

Requirements

  • A project proposal (including background, significance of the project, objectives, methods, budget, timeline of activities)
  • A reference/support letter from supervisor
  • A CV of the student

Where to submit?

Email: ncrc.research@gmail.com

For more information contact

Nepal Conservation and Research Center

Factors affecting the occupancy of sloth bear and its detectionprobability in Parsa–KoshiComplex, Nepal

by Scientific_Papers

Authors: Hari Prasad Sharma, Hem Bahadur Katuwal, Bishnu Prasad Bhattarai, Shivish Bhandari, Dipendra Adhikari, Bishnu Aryal, Krishna Tamang, Amrit Neupane, Sabin KC, Basudev Baral, Surya Devkota, Dev Narayan Mandal, Sandeep Regmi

Abstract: Understanding factors associated with coexistence of human and wildlife in human-dominated landscapes is crucial for effective species conservation. Among the wildlife species, the sloth bears Melursus ursinus are found both inside and outside the protected areas of Nepal, and with increasing cases of human and bear conflicts in both areas. This highlights the necessity for a comprehensive understanding of anthropogenic and ecological factors that affect the occurrence of sloth bear. The
understanding of these factors is important for its coexistence and conservation in human-dominated areas through establishing management and conservation action plan. We studied the sloth bear’s occupancy and their coexistence in human-dominated environments with other large predators in the Parsa–Koshi Complex of Nepal using camera traps from December 2022 to March 2023. We identified the occupancy and detection probability of the sloth bear as 0.12 and 0.31, respectively.
Our analysis reveals a positive relationship between sloth bear occurrence and the presence of large predators (βpredators = 3.104 ± 0.968), such as tigers (Panthera tigris) and leopards (Panthera pardus), as well as the number of humans detected (βhuman = 1.428 ± 1.216) and canopy cover percentage (βcc = 1.002 ± 0.737). However, the number of livestock detected shows a negative interaction with the occurrence of sloth bears (βlivestock = −2.240 ± 1.467). There was insignificant interaction between sloth bear occupancy and distance to human settlements, roads, and water bodies. These findings underscore the complex dynamics between sloth bears, humans, large predators, and livestock in human-dominated
landscapes. To ensure the long-term survival of sloth bear populations and promote species conservation,
comprehensive conservation strategies that account for both ecological and socio-economic factors are essential.

Key words: camera traps, lowland, Melursus ursinus, occupancy, Parsa–Koshi
Complex, sloth bear

Paper Link

Understanding the perception of buffer zone communities to gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) conservation in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

by Scientific_Papers

Authors: Abhinaya Pathak, Ashish Bashyal, Bishwa Nath Oli, Bishnu Thapaliya, Santosh Bhattarai, Sujan Khanal, Prashamsa Paudel

Abstract:

The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a Critically Endangered species found in Nepal and India. In
Nepal, gharials are distributed in Chitwan and Bardia National Parks. Gharials are highly
threatened due to various and severe anthropogenic activities. In this study, we assess the attitude,
perception and willingness of a range of stakeholders living around Chitwan National Park to
participate in gharial conservation. We conducted semi-structured questionnaire surveys with open ended questions. We interviewed national park officials (n=8), local community group members
(n=54), hoteliers (n=12), conservation partners (n=5), local elected representatives (n=38), fishing
community members (n=14), fishing net sellers (n=15) and students (n=9). Our study revealed that
respondents are familiar with existing conservation awareness activities and expressed their
willingness to participate in gharial conservation activities which can be capitalized on for future
conservation initiatives for gharials. Further, we suggest to concentrate efforts particularly on local
representatives, fishing net sellers and river dependent communities. These efforts include
community level gharial knowledge sharing and interaction program, school teaching program,
participating community in gharial conservation and its habitat management intervention and
livelihood programs.


Keywords: Gharial; Crocodilian; Chitwan National Park; Buffer Zone, Perception

Paper Link

Conservation of the Critically Endangered dark sitana in Nepal through education campaigns

by Reports/Books/Newsletters

Authors: Santosh Bhattarai, Bishal Prasad Neupane

With support from The Rufford Foundation, UK, Auckland Zoo, New Zealand, and Katie Adamson Conservation Fund, USA, a conservation and research project for the dark sitana has been jointly initiated by the Nepal Conservation and Research Center and the Mithila Wildlife Trust. Outreach education sessions were jointly conducted by these two institutions in March and April 2023. We worked with students in 15 schools and five peri-forest communities (i.e. living immediately adjacent to the forest and dependent on it). A total 1,055 students (492 boys and 563 girls) and 123 community members attended these sessions.

Details https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx/article/conservation-of-the-critically-endangered-dark-sitana-in-nepal-through-education-campaigns/FF04358FE5C5704518CFEDD5AD535EA0

Oryx-_-July_2023-574-1Download

National Wildlife Week 2023 marked for Dark sitana(Sitana fusca) conservation in Nepal

by Reports/Books/Newsletters

Our team members were invited to conduct sessions on “Herpetofauna Conservation and Research
Techniques” by the Agriculture and Forestry University, Katari College. We taught the university
students about the status of Nepalese amphibians and reptiles, identification keys, field research techniques, and photographic techniques. We stressed on key conservation issues for critically endangered species such as the Dark Sitana (Sitana fusca) and how the students can get involved in the ongoing research and conservation project for the same. This work is funded by The Rufford Foundation UK, Katie Adamson Conservation Fund, USA and Auckland Zoo, New Zealand.

Details https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_T5432jKdYFNlsbhkx3l30gF0cQy5SGr/view

HerpBuzz5-April-2023Download