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The ‘Sleeping Giant’ of Nepal

2 months ago
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Opinion, Science and Environment

Gobinda Prasad Pokharel

Today, a photograph released by the Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) caught my eye. It was a captivating shot of Kumbhakarna Himal. Struck by its beauty, I found myself digging deeper into the story behind this peak. What I discovered was a fascinating blend of culture, mythology and mountaineering history that I felt compelled to share.

While many of us know it as Kumbhakarna (or internationally as Jannu), the indigenous Limbu community calls this mountain ‘Phoktanglungma.’

The etymology is beautiful in its simplicity: in the Limbu language, ‘Phoktang’ means ‘shoulder’ and ‘Lungma’ means ‘mountain.’ The name perfectly describes its physical structure which resembles a massive human shoulder. For the Limbu people, this is not just a geographical feature but a deity and a sacred site of worship. The mountain holds such significance in the district that a local government body, Phoktanglung Rural Municipality (currently chaired by Mr. Rajan Limbu), is named after it.

For Hindus, the mountain is linked to the Ramayana. It is named after Kumbhakarna, the giant brother of Ravana, known for sleeping for months at a time.

The name is incredibly fitting. If you view the mountain from Phungling (the district headquarters of Taplejung) or nearby ridges, the skyline creates the silhouette of a colossal man lying on his back—a sleeping giant forever resting in the Himalayas.

Rising to an elevation of 7,710 meters Kumbhakarna is the 32nd highest peak in the world. Situated to the west of the Kangchenjunga himal, it acts as a massive barrier, shielding the Kangchenjunga area from strong wind currents.

Despite not being an 8,000-meter peak, it is renowned for its technical difficulty. The first successful ascent was recorded in April 1962 by a French expedition team including René Desmaison. It is important to note the critical role of the Nepalese climbers in this historic feat: the summit team included two legendary Sherpas, Gyalzen Mitchung Sherpa and Wangdi Sherpa.

Even today, Kumbhakarna continues to test the world’s best climbers. Just recently, on October 15 of this year, a new chapter was written in its history. Alpinists Benjamin Védrines and Nicolas Jean successfully summited the mountain via the East Face—a remarkable achievement on a notoriously difficult peak.

Whether you see it as the sacred Phoktanglungma or the sleeping Kumbhakarna, this mountain remains one of the most majestic symbols of Eastern Nepal.

3rd December, 2025

Chasing the Indian Flapshell Turtle

3 months ago
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Opinion, Science and Environment

Gobinda Prasad Pokharel

It was a normal afternoon in my village home in Urlabari Municipality, Morang District. While walking along the roadside, I noticed something unusual — a tiny turtle barely 100 grams was struggling to move across the concrete path.

Its shell was soft and flexible and with a closer look, I realized it was the Indian Flapshell Turtle — locally called ‘पुतली कछुवा’ or Butterfly Turtle.

I carefully rescued and released it into the Beteni Wetland accompanied by local residents and members of the wetland management committee. Over the years, I’ve rescued and released more than a dozen turtles into the same wetland — each encounter a reminder of how important and precious these ancient beings are.

A Wetland Wanderer

The Indian Flapshell Turtle is typically found in wetlands, rivers, ponds, canals and paddy fields. It has a smooth shell and graceful swimming movements. In Nepal, it ranges from Jhapa in the east to Kanchanpur in the west, inhabiting riverbanks and marshy farmlands.

Releasing the turtle to its natural habitat with the wetland managment committee members.

In Nepal, keeping or trading turtles is strictly illegal. According to the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (2029 BS), capturing, transporting, or rearing any wild animal without permission can result in fines up to NPR 1,000,000 or imprisonment for 5–15 years, or both.

The Oldest Yet Most Threatened

Turtles are among the oldest vertebrates on Earth existing for more than 200 million years. Ironically, they are now among the most threatened species, relying heavily on wetlands— habitats rapidly disappearing due to urbanization, pollution and encroachment.

Handover of the rescued turtle before releasing to the wetland area with Beteni Wetland Management Committee Members.

In Nepal, most native turtle species are classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, sharing the same threat level as the one-horned rhinoceros. According to IUCN reports, populations of the Indian Flapshell Turtle have declined by over 30% in the last 45 years, mainly due to habitat loss and illegal exploitation.

The Threat

In some local communities, these turtles are still hunted for food or used in traditional medicine, believed to have ‘energy-boosting’ properties. Research shows that the Indian Flapshell is one of South Asia’s most traded turtles. A 2017 study ranked it as the second most trafficked species in India, and in 2018, over 7,000 individuals were seized by Indian authorities.

The turtle

This species naturally occurs in Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. It breeds toward the end of summer and during the monsoon season. Although the exact lifespan remains uncertain, its generation length is about 15 years. With a slow metabolism and growth rate, these turtles can live for decades. However, after hatching, the mother does not care for her young — each hatchling must survive on its own against predators and environmental challenges.

Our Responsibility

Sadly, illegal turtle trade still persists. Exotic species like the Red-eared Slider and Golden Indian Turtle are sold in Kathmandu’s markets and sometimes released into local ponds, disrupting native ecosystems. Many people keep turtles as symbols of good fortune, unknowingly fueling wildlife trafficking.

The Thumbnail of the artilce that was published in Onlinekhbar.com.

Every time I rescue a turtle and return it to its natural home, I’m reminded of the fragile connection between human life and nature. The Putali Kachuwa may be small, but it embodies millions of years of resilience — a silent survivor now facing extinction due to human neglect.

Saving it means saving the wetlands, rivers, and life cycles that sustain us all.

Read more on the article published in onlinekhbar in his link: ‘पुतली कछुवा’ पछ्याउँदा…

Should we demolish the ruins of the Gen-Z Movement or build a memorial museum?

September 19, 2025
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Opinion

Gobinda Prasad Pokharel 

On Bhadra 23 and 24, the Gen-Z movement overturned the politics of the country. Its main demands were: an end to growing corruption, halting politicization in public institutions, retirement of the top party leaders, and withdrawal of the decision to ban social media. Because of this anger, 19 youths protesting on the streets lost their lives. After their deaths, the outrage grew even stronger. The next day, the country faced a massive revolt that turned the three major state structures of Nepal into ashes. Altogether, 72 people died in this uprising.

The central administrative headquarter of Nepal Singha Durbar, the Federal Parliament building and the symbol of judicial supremacy, Supreme Court were burned during the protests. The main building of the President’s Office at Sheetal Niwas also came under fire. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned from his post.

The main administrative building of Singha Durbar, which houses the Office of the Prime Minister, was set on fire and destroyed during the course of the GenZ movement.

Former PM Sher Bahadur Deuba and his wife Arzu Rana faced violent attacks at their residence, which was looted and set ablaze by protesters. The private residences of former PMs Pushpa Kamal Dahal, K.P. Oli, Baburam Bhattarai, Jhalanath Khanal and Madhav Kumar Nepal were also not spared. Most leaders’ homes were vandalized, looted and set on fire. Even the homes of former presidents faced attacks.

Brunt Deuba House by the Protesters.

Private and public institutions were not safe. Most police stations in Kathmandu were burned and police offices and municipal buildings across the country were set on fire. Commercial complexes and businesses were destroyed. The international five-star Hilton Hotel was completely burned down. Businesses and private houses of large traders were looted and torched. The headquarter of Kantipur Media Group in Thapathali and Kantipur Television’s office in Tinkune were set on fire. Most car showrooms in Thapathali were burned. Structures and warehouses of Bhatbhateni and CG Group were also set ablaze. Prisons across the country were broken and prisoners escaped.

Kantipur Media Group Building after fire

This destruction may have exceeded even the Maoist 10-year armed conflict and the 2015 earthquake. Exact details of losses have not yet arrived. But after many young people were killed, the resulting rage destroyed the nation’s three power structures.

On Bhadra 27, President Ram Chandra Paudel appointed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as Prime Minister making her Nepal’s first woman PM. On her recommendation, Parliament was dissolved and elections were set for Falgun 21. The country is now moving forward with new hope. But the debate concerns the reconstruction of destroyed structures. Should the burned state buildings be rebuilt, or should the ruins be preserved as historical memorials ?

The main building of Federal Parliament of Nepal was set on fire and destroyed during the course of the GenZ movement.

Nepal has seen big events before: the 1990 People’s Movement, the 2001 Palace Massacre, the 2006 People’s Movement and the 2015 earthquake. Yet there are very few places where future generations can directly see memories of those events. For example, at Narayanhiti Palace Museum one can see only bullet marks from the palace massacre. The ruins of Dharahara in Sundhara remind us of the 2015 earthquake. But no museums preserve the 1990 movement, the 2006 movement or other decisive events. The Republic Memorial at Narayanhiti exists but no other memories are connected to it.

The Supreme Court building engulfed in flames as protestors set fire during Tuesday’s violent demonstrations in Kathmandu. Photo: Setopati

During the Gen-Z movement, the burning of Parliament, Singha Durbar and the Supreme Court destroyed important documents. What remains are the ruins of those buildings. Now the question is whether to demolish and reconstruct these buildings or preserve the ruins as museums for future Alpha, Beta, and Gamma generations. This debate is necessary.

The structures burned in the Gen-Z movement could be turned into museums to symbolize youth outrage against corruption and politicization in every government institutions. The burned ruins and etched writings show the anger of the youth. This is perhaps the first time in the 21st century that the anger of youth destroyed all three state powers to ashes. Even in wars, rarely have all three major state structures been destroyed like this.

Many countries in the world have converted such destructive events into memorial sites or museums. At the beginning of this century, the terrorist group Al-Qaeda destroyed the Twin Towers in the September 11, 2001 attack in the USA. At that site now stands the 9/11 Memorial Museum which preserves the memory of nearly 3,000 victims and reflects the wounds of terror. That museum documents every aspect of the event and preserves some ruins.

New Cabinet ministers taking oath in the President office. Photo: RSS

In World War II, the remains of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by America are still preserved. Museums in Hiroshima and Nagasaki now stand there carrying a message of world peace. In 2024, the Japanese atomic bomb survivors’ group Nihon Hidankyo received the Nobel Peace Prize.

In Germany, to show the remnants of Hitler’s Nazi rule, the ‘Topography of Terror’ museum was established. Similarly, parts of the Berlin Wall ruins are preserved as a memorial. These examples show that destruction should not only be erased, but also remembered. Visible memorials of history help future generations avoid repeating mistakes.

But in Nepal, only history linked with monarchy is preserved in museums. Recent big events have not been memorialized for direct public viewing. The new generation now carries the responsibility of building a new Nepal by reflecting on ruins. Singha Durbar has faced repeated arson and earthquake damage; now it was burned in the Gen-Z movement. Should it be rebuilt, or turned into a museum while constructing a new Singha Durbar beside it ?

The Banner Image of My artilce published in Onlinekhabar

New buildings for the House of Representatives and Supreme Court are already nearing completion. The remaining ruins could still be developed into a museum. If reconstruction is done, it should not be donor-driven but rather built with public participation to create ownership.

Historic buildings in Nepal lack citizen presence. There is a need to cultivate habits of teaching, touring and studying these places. Many Nepalis traveling abroad visit administrative buildings, parliaments and residences of heads of state as tourists. If in Nepal too, historical structures and offices were opened for public tours, future generations would not make statements like ‘I will burn down that office.’

Therefore, since the Gen-Z movement has turned the three major state structures into ashes, the debate must begin: should we preserve the ruins as a memorial museum or demolish and rebuild the old structures?

This article was published in Onlinekhabar on 31st Bhadra of 2081 BS link : जेनजी आन्दोलनका भग्‍नावशेष भत्काउने कि स्मृति संग्रहालय बनाउने ?

Nepal’s Wildlife Diplomacy

August 21, 2025
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Opinion, Science and Environment

Nepal is again in the forefront of ‘wildlife diplomacy’—from gifting gharial eggs and rhinos earning international goodwill. For the first time ever, elephants have taken center stage in Nepal. In my recent Op’ed Article for Diplomat Nepal Magazine of 2025, August Issue, I explore how this diplomatic pivot—from rhinos to elephants—signals changing times, deeper conservation ties and a new chapter in Nepal’s global engagement.

 

Gobinda Prasad Pokharel
August 10, 2025

Nepal’s wildlife diplomacy has taken a new turn with the decision to gift two elephants – Khagendra Prasad and Rudrakali – to Qatar. This will mark the first time Nepal has gifted elephants to another country. In the past, Nepal has gifted rhinos, leopards, red pandas, and other wild species.

Nepal continued its tradition of wildlife diplomacy during K.P. Sharma Oli’s first term as Prime Minister. On July 10, 2016, his cabinet decided to gift rhinos to China, making it the first live animal gift since Nepal became a federal democratic republic. Previously, such gestures were mostly made by the Royal family during the monarchy. The decision followed a meeting in January 2016 between then Forest Minister Agni Sapkota and Zhang Jianlong, Director of China’s National Forestry Administration. Nepal gifted two pairs of rhinos to China in 2018. However, one died after the transfer. Later, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal decided to gift another pair of rhinos. Some media sources suggest that in return, China agreed to help Nepal construct the Suryabinayak Zoo in Bhaktapur, though this has not been officially confirmed.

The Cover Image of Diplomat Nepal of August, 2025 Issue featuring the Uk Ambassador to Nepal

The latest decision to gift a pair of elephants stems from a commitment made by former President Bidhya Devi Bhandari to the Emir of Qatar during her four-day state visit in November 2018. The elephants selected – Khagendra Prasad (male) and Rudrakali (female) – were identified by a technical team formed by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC). Both were born and raised at the Elephant Breeding Center (EBC) in Sauraha, Chitwan, and are the offspring of Ronaldo, a notorious tusker involved in human-elephant conflict in Chitwan for over a decade.

Established in 1985 at Chitwan National Park, EBC was created to boost elephant populations through breeding, support scientific research, and assist in forest patrols. Initially, the center had six males and 14 females brought from India, Thailand, and Myanmar. According to Manipuran Chaudhary, who oversees elephant management at EBC, the center now has 58 elephants, including 12 calves.

The printed Version of the Article in the Magazine

Transporting elephants internationally is a complex and risky task. It requires specialized enclosures, experienced wildlife technicians, veterinarians, trained mahouts, and a skilled field team. The elephants must be transported from Chitwan to the international airport before being flown to Qatar. Interestingly, it will take less time to fly them to Qatar than to move them from Chitwan to the airport.

Wildlife Exchanges: Then & Now
The tradition of wildlife diplomacy in Nepal dates back to the Rana regime in the mid-1800s, when it was customary to host Western elites and royals for big game hunting in the Tarai. After the fall of the Rana regime, the practice of gifting wild animals became more common.

Since the 1950s, Nepal has gifted over 50 wild animals to various countries. These include gharial and mugger crocodile eggs to Japan, six rhinos to the US, four each to China and India, and two each to the UK, Japan, Thailand, Austria, Germany, and Singapore.

In return, Nepal has received elephants, lions, zebras, chimpanzees, kangaroos, bears, Chinese alligators, and other exotic species. All such exchanges occurred during the monarchy, before the federal democratic republic was established in 2008.

This shift is likely due to evolving international conventions and animal protection laws. In Nepal, wildlife exchanges are governed by the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Rules, 1973 (amended in 2019), which allow the gifting of wild animals. In 2006, Nepal’s last crown prince, Paras Bikram Shah, gifted a pair of rhinos to the Vienna Zoo.

Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli handing over documents to the then-Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Yu Hong, for presenting a couple of Rhinos, Bhadra and Rupasi, to China on July 12, 2018.

Soft Power Through Wildlife Exchanges
Elephant diplomacy is gaining traction in South and Southeast Asia. In 2025, Myanmar gifted five female and one male elephant to Russia as a symbol of strengthening ties between the two nations. These elephants were reportedly gifted in return for six fighter jets that Russia had gifted to Myanmar. In 2010, Sri Lanka gifted two elephants to South Korea. Sri Lanka has gifted more than 35 elephants to countries like New Zealand, Canada, USA, etc.

Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and India are also active practitioners of elephant diplomacy. This symbolic exchange of wild animals reflects each country’s soft power signalling greater political ties.

Elephants are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. In Nepal, they are protected under Schedule I of the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (1973) and are included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Appendix I species are threatened with extinction, and their trade is strictly regulated. Both import and export permits are required, and the exporting country must confirm that the transfer will not harm the species and that the recipient has the capacity to care for the animals. The exchange must also be non-commercial.

Emeritus Professor Thomas R. Trautmann of the University of Michigan, in his book Elephants and Kings: An Environmental History, explains the deep historical relationship between rulers and elephants. According to Trautmann, elephants have long served as emblems of power and eminence and were used in royal sacrifices, grand hunts, military campaigns and public displays. He further argues that royal fascination with elephants indirectly contributed to the preservation of their habitats and population in the Indian subcontinent.

The printed version of the artilce. It was published in 4 pages from page number 16-19

As Nepal prepares to gift elephants to a Gulf nation for the first time, it should strategically lobby for investment in its conservation sector from Qatar. Back in 1998, Nepal had gifted two leopard cubs to Malaysia, presented a pelt and skull of gaur and tiger, skull and hide of sambar deer and sloth bear, and skin and feathers of a peacock to Prince Khalid Bin Sultan Bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia. As thousands of Nepali immigrant workers are employed in these countries, this form of wildlife diplomacy should be used as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties and secure much-needed support for Nepal’s economic development and biodiversity conservation efforts.

With its strong biodiversity conservation investment and output, Nepal can position itself as a regional leader in conservation diplomacy, using wildlife exchanges to advocate for long-term partnerships, capacity-building programs, and joint investment in protected areas, ecotourism and wildlife-friendly linear infrastructure. Gifting wild animals is more than a ceremonial gesture. It is a reminder that Nepal holds significant biological wealth. If planned and leveraged wisely, the new ‘Elephant Diplomacy’ could become a proven and powerful tool to attract new interests and investments, for Nepal’s long-term developmental goals at a global scale.

The article link in Diplomat Magazine is : Wildlife Diplomacy: Shifting from Rhinos to Elephants

संरक्षण केवल संख्या मात्रै हैन, सहअस्तित्व पनि हो

July 29, 2025
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Opinion, Science and Environment

कुनै समय थियो जतिबेला बाघ मार्नु भनेको गौरव हुन्थ्यो । सन् १९११ मा बेलायती राजा जर्ज पञ्चमको नेपाल भ्रमणका क्रममा केवल एकै दिनमा ३५ वटा बाघलगायतका वन्यजन्तु मारेको अभिलेख छ । नेपालका राजारजौटाहरूले वन्यजन्तुको शिकारलाई एउटा शान र तागतको रूपमा लिन्थे ।

तराई क्षेत्रमा भएको अधिक वन विनाश र शिकारका कारण कुनै समय नेपालमा बाघको संख्या एक सयभन्दा कममा झरेको विगत छ ।

बाघ संरक्षणमा नेपाल विश्वकै अग्रपङ्तिमा छ । सन् २००९ मा १२१ मा सीमित बाघको संख्या हाल ३५५ पुगेको छ । यो संख्या बाघ दोब्बर गर्ने अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय लक्ष्यभन्दा पनि भयो । यो सबै सही नीति, वैज्ञानिक अनुसन्धान, स्थानीय समुदायको सहभागिता र संरक्षित क्षेत्रको विस्तार तथा बासस्थान सुधार जस्ता कार्यक्रमहरूले पनि सघाउ पुर्‍याएको छ ।

राष्ट्रिय प्रकृति संरक्षण कोषका प्राविधिकहरूले चितवनबाट उद्धार गरेका बाघ । यो बाघ भरतपुर महानगरपालिकाको बुद्धनगर भन्ने गाउँ नजिकै देखिएपछि यसलाई उद्धार गरेर निकुञ्जको कोर क्षेत्रमा पर्ने राष्ट्रपति ताल नजिकै छाडिएको थियो । यो घटना २०८२ साल साउनको पहिलो हप्ताको हो ।

म कार्यरत संस्था राष्ट्रिय प्रकृति संरक्षण कोषले बाघ संरक्षण तथा अनुगमनमा निकै नै सहयोग गरेको छ । समस्याग्रस्त बाघहरूको उद्धार, बाघ गणना र अनुगमन, संरक्षण शिक्षा, जिविकोपार्जनलगायतका क्षेत्रमा कोषले स्थापना कालदेखि नै काम गर्दै आएको देखिन्छ ।

Tiger Captured in Camera Trap Image

बाघ संरक्षणका चुनौतीहरू अझै बाँकी छन् । जलवायु परिवर्तनका कारण बाघको बसोबास खुम्चिँदै गएको, तस्करी र मानव-बाघ द्वन्द्व चुनौतीका रूपमा देखा परेका छन् ।

संरक्षण केवल संख्या मात्रै हैन, सहअस्तित्व पनि हो ।

तस्बिरहरूमा देखिने शान, शक्ति र शिकार अब इतिहास भइसके । अहिले बेलायतलगायत अन्य मुलुकहरूले नेपालको संरक्षणका लागि धेरै नै अनुदान दिने मुलुकभित्र पर्छ ।

Tiger Hunting in the Past by the West Elite Royalities

बाघ संरक्षण सम्बन्धी मैले लेखेका लेखहहरू :

समस्याग्रस्त बाघ व्यवस्थापनमा संरक्षणकर्मी विभाजित
के बाघहरू मान्छे खोज्दै आक्रमण गर्छन् ?
बाह्र वर्षमा तेब्बर बाघ
हरेक महिना तीन जना बाघको आक्रमणमा
बाघ संरक्षणको बाटो

#GlobalTigerDay #TigerConservation #Biodiversity #HistoryToHarmony #NepalForTigers #GobindaPokharel

Madhesh, Monsoon and Drought

July 25, 2025
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Opinion

Mid June and the End of September is normally considered the Monsson Season in Nepal. July and August are the months that receives heavist rainfall in Nepal. But, this Year in the peak of monsoon, Madhesh Province is facing drought. This situtation has led the provincial governmentn to officially declare it a ‘Drought-Hit Province.’

Groundwater sources tube wells, wells and handpumps have dried up in many areas of the provinces. It is the first time in the province that the authorities distribute drinking water through fire trucks and tankers. I have read in some newspaper articles regarding this issue and this is bringing the province in brink of scarcity.

Yesterday, I post in my Facebook Post regarding this issue. In the picture i showed a drie up river.

These efforts remain limited and unable to meet the growing demand for water in both household and in agriculture. Water scarcity has dealt a severe blow to paddy farming in the province. Paddy Farming is the backbone of agriculture in Madhesh.

As of government data mid-July 2025 only 46.83% of the targeted 372,465 hectares had been planted with paddy. This is about 80.6% less during the same period last year. Even the fields that have been planted are cracking due to lack of irrigation. This has led the food security risk.

People in Janakpur are taking water from the firefigthers in Madhesh Province.

Farmers are watching their crops wilt. They are in hope of recovery from the government side. The federal government has also declared Madhesh a crisis-affected zone for three months and has issued an official notice on 8th of Shrawan of 2082 in the Nepal Gazette. The fedaral and provincial government authorities are looking into groundwater recharge systems, rainwater harvesting technologies and larger irrigation projects.

Government of Nepal has declared Madhesh as disaster-affected area for three months. The official Nepal’s Gazette is published on this matter.

So far, What I know is that the province has been previously facing the depletion of Churey resources and hapazard extraction of sand and mines from different zones. This situation might be due to climate change, hapazard use of resources, lack of irrgation facility and water recharge facilities. This need an immediate action to resolve the issue of water crisis.

Royalty and Hollywood for Nepal’s Tigers

June 15, 2025
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News, Opinion, Science and Environment

By: Gobinda Prasad Pokharel

It was the second week of Chaitra, 2072 (March 2016), Prince Harry of the United Kingdom was on a rafting trip along the Khoriya River in Bardiya. Bird expert Hem Sagar Baral, wildlife expert Shanta Raj Gyawali, nature guide Rajan Kshetri and others were accompanying the trip. Baral had brought two expensive binoculars made by Swarovski. Aware of the etiquette and formalities needed when meeting a member of the royal family, including appropriate language and dress, the team was cautious. However, Harry stood out as different from other royal family members.

His demeanor, curious style of questioning and ease of mingling made everyone on the trip feel comfortable. Using Baral’s binoculars, Harry spotted a common kingfisher. He then asked, ‘If I stayed here for 15 days, how many bird species would I see?’ Baral replied, ‘If I’m your guide, I can show you around 400.’ He was clearly impressed by Nepal’s biodiversity.

Harry rafted for about 40 minutes on the Khoriya River, which flows through the heart of the national park from Gainda Maachhan Post to the Baghaura grassland. During the visit, Hary learned about tiger footprints and camera trapping. The Tharu community honored him with a traditional dance performance at an event held at Dalla Homestay.

Prince Hary in Bardiya National Park visit. Photo: WWF

He was so engrossed in the community and conservation activities that he stayed for over half an hour, although only 15 minutes had been scheduled. After learning about anti-poaching and conservation efforts, he flew to Pokhara.

Prince Harry had come to Nepal to mark the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nepal and the UK. Nepal had recently suffered a devastating earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people few months back. His visit also aimed to support Nepal’s tourism recovery in the aftermath of the disaster. During his six-day stay in Nepal, he participated in both wildlife conservation activities in Bardiya and a trek in the Annapurna Conservation Area and participated in reconstruction work in Gorkha.

His visit was widely covered in the front page of newspapers, with every activity receiving attention. It helped revive the country’s tourism industry.

In 2067 BS (2010), Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio also visited Bardiya. His visit was managed by WWF and was kept highly confidential. It was the highest-profile celebrity visit to a national park in Nepal for conservation purposes after Nepal became a republic nation. High profile and royal visits were common in the National Parks during the Monarchy in Nepal.

DiCaprio gifted his sunglasses to Bhadai Tharu, a local from Madhuwan who lost his eye in a tiger attack. Photos and news emerged of DiCaprio inspecting camera traps, planting trees at a school in Thakurbaba, and inaugurating a model village powered by alternative energy.

Leonardo dicaprio fixing a camera trap in bardiya. Photo: WWF

Though he came as a tiger conservation ambassador, DiCaprio wasn’t lucky enough to see a tiger. While most members of his team spotted one, he missed it. For three consecutive mornings, he went on safari at dawn in hopes of seeing a tiger but he seems unluck to sight the tiger inside the jungle of bardiya.

According to a newspaper article written by Subodh Gautam in 2070, even DiCaprio’s bodyguards saw a tiger while returning from a community conservation program. A tiger was sighted near a river fork in the Karnali but DiCaprio, who was eating at the time, missed the sighting. When he rushed to the spot, the tiger had already vanished. One team member said, ‘Even though he didn’t see the tiger, he wasn’t disappointed and took it in stride.’

He left Nepal for Bhutan via Kathmandu, later confirming in an interview that he had not seen a tiger. His visit also generated massive media coverage, further cementing Bardiya as a premier destination for tiger tourism. DiCaprio later donated millions to support tiger conservation in Nepal.

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter also visited Nepal as an observer for the first and second Constituent Assembly elections. A nature lover, Carter made it a point to visit the wilderness during each trip and helped to promote wildlife tourism. In 1985, he visited Tiger Tops, Shivapuri in 2007, Nagarjun and Godawari in 2013. His visits contributed to the promotion of tourism in Nepal.

Nepal’s jungle safari history began with the slogan: ‘Visit Chitwan to shoot a tiger with a rifle.’ The narrative changed with Jim Edwards, who took over the management of Tiger Tops and shifted the focus to conservation with the phrase, ‘Let’s shoot the tiger with cameras.’ He introduced camera trapping in the jungles and helped popularize jungle safaris.

Prince Hary at Baridya

During the Rana regime, trophy hunting was a strategy to maintain political power where foreign rulers were invited. Even King Mahendra continued this tradition by organizing trophy hunts in the Tarai for British royals during the Panchayat era. Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip also participated in the Trophy Hunt organized by King Mahendra, however the British royal family members didnot shoot any animals.

Tiger Tops once offered top-tier safari services to global celebrities. Many types of celebrities used to come for safaris, but such visits have decreased in recent years. High-end tourists spend heavily and are usually accompanied by large groups, but Nepal still lacks the infrastructure to provide that level of premium experience. Since 2012, the renewal of luxury hotels like Tiger Tops inside the jungle has been suspended.

Although various hotels and homestays have been established around protected areas with increasing investment, the essence of a true wilderness experience seems to be missing. Conservationist Hem Sagar Baral remarks, ‘Many companies have built expensive hotels, but they fail to offer the kind of immersive jungle experience that used to exist.’

Jeep safaris have increased in both protected and buffer zones. Some community forests now see more than 40 jeeps entering and exiting in a single day. Tourists increasingly enjoy seeing wildlife from jeeps and sharing their photos on social media. However, some seek the unique and premium experience once offered by Tiger Tops.

Jungle Safari in Protected Areas

The ideal time for jungle safaris in Nepal is from October to March. Currently, most tourists visit Chitwan, Bardiya, Shuklaphanta and Koshi Tappu. Banke is an emerging destination. While the Mountain Protected Areas are famous for trekking, Chitwan—on the World Heritage list— is renowned for its mix of grasslands, dense forests and wetlands. It offers sightings of rhinos, tigers, Gharials, deer, Gaur and more.

The current ruins of Tiger Tops Hotel inside Chitwan National Park. Photo: Kantipur

Bardiya is synonymous with tigers. The Karnali and its tributaries also offer potential for promoting dolphin and Golden mahseer tourism. However, tigers remain the main attraction in Bardiya. Despite being only two hours from Nepalgunj by road, Bardiya receives fewer visitors due to poor transportation and high travel costs.

Shuklaphanta grasslands resemble the African savannas as it offers sightings of large herds of swamp deer in a relatively small area. The region also features dense forests and wetlands. Both Chitwan and Shuklaphanta are popular for viewing grassland-dependent bird species. Koshi Tappu is known for wild water buffalo, dolphins and migratory birds from Siberia. Due to its small size, Koshi Tappu is more suited for walking safaris than jeep safaris. However, the threat of wild elephants has hindered its promotion.

The article was originally published in Kantipur Daily on 13th June of 2025 friday on its weekly supplement Koseli.

Though tourist numbers are rising Nepal has yet to fully capitalize on the economic potential. About 60 percent of tourists visit protected areas mostly those with better transport facilities.

Jungle safaris were also initiated in Koshi but did not succeed. Safari tourism still hasn’t received the prioritization it needs. Though homestays exist, they struggle to attract foreign visitors. Bringing in global celebrities like Harry and DiCaprio and offering them longer stays with high-quality hospitality could significantly benefit Nepal’s economy.

Published on: Jestha 31, 2082 (June 14, 2025)
Ekantipur Link: https://ekantipur.com/koseli/2025/06/14/celebrity-on-safari-36-48.html
Archive link : सफारीमा सेलिब्रेटी

Nepal’s first Wild Dog Conservation Action Plan

May 30, 2025
admin
Opinion, Science and Environment

Gobinda Prasad Pokharel

Nepal has always been playing a leading role in global conservation efforts. In April this year, it hosted an international snow leopard workshop with participation from representatives of range countries. Nepal is also the first country to fulfill the international commitment of doubling its tiger population. These achievements have earned the country several international awards for its conservation efforts.

Now, Nepal has taken another pioneering step by formulating the world’s first conservation action plan for the Asiatic wild dog, locally known as the ban kukur or dhole. Dhole is a rare and endangered carnivore listed on the IUCN Red List. It is estimated to be found in 12 South and Southeast Asian countries. Among these range countries, Nepal is the first to an action plan for the dhole species.

Previously, Nepal had already demonstrated its commitment to dhole conservation by organizing the second international wild dog (dhole) conference in 2023 in Chitwan with coordination led led by National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC). The newly released Dhole Conservation Action Plan is a joint initiative by Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) and the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation (DoFSC) of Nepal.

The Asiatic wild dog (dhole) is estimated to number less than 500 individuals in Nepal. It is found in Nepal, India, China, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam—with extremely low numbers in Vietnam. The species is considered extinct in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Globally, the adult population of dholes is estimated at only 2,000–2,200 individuals. But detailed data on its global status remains a scarce. A recent study by the IUCN Dhole Specialist Group has documented its distribution from western and central India through the Himalayan foothills to Southeast Asia.

Dholes typically inhabit lower altitudes than wolves and are slightly larger than jackals. Characterized by their bushy black tails, they are known by various local names in eastern Nepal, such as ‘milke’ and ‘Thada kane’.

The first scientific photographic record of dholes in Nepal was made by conservationist Ambika Prasad Khatriwada in 2012 through camera traps in the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. The highest elevation recorded for dholes in Nepal is 4,000 meters, while in India’s Ladakh, they have been captured at elevations as high as 5,300 meters. Despite their presence in both warm and cold climates, research on the species remains limited in Nepal. Their diet includes animals like yak, ghoral, Himalayan serow, jungle cats, and smaller mammals such as rats and hares.

Asiatic Wild dog (Dhole). Photo: Shutterstock

Since 2010, dholes have been recorded on camera traps in Nepal’s lowland parks—Chitwan, Parsa, Bardia, and Banke. In the hills, they have been recorded in Kanchenjunga, Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale, Makalu Barun National Park, Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, and the Annapurna Conservation Area. Beyond protected areas, they have been spotted in forests in Udayapur (Triyuga) and Dang, as presented at the second international dhole conference.

Indian conservationist and professor Y.V. Jhala mentioned that he observed dholes in Bardiya National park area in 1997, during India’s national tiger census, as he shared his insights during the 2023 dhole conference in Chitwan with me.

Dholes are considered more at risk than tigers, as they primarily inhabit core forest areas and live in packs for cooperative hunting. They belong to the canid family, which also includes wolves, jackals, and domestic dogs. Their declining numbers are attributed to habitat loss and degradation, decrease in prey species, human-wildlife conflicts, disease, and interspecies competition. Limited research, insufficient funding and lack of public awareness has further hindered understanding of the species in Nepal. Their weight ranges from 12 to 20 kg, and an estimated 75% of their habitat has already been lost according to the new action plan.

This camera trap image of an adult dhole with two pups in Parsa National Park, Nepal was captured by a Student at Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Dhole Conservation Action Plan(2025-2035) has prioritized three major regions in Nepal for focused conservation- Chitwan-Parsa complex, Banke-Bardiya complex and the Kanchenjunga landscape. It emphasizes documenting the species distribution and population status. The plan also calls for developing a map of dhole distribution, establishing long-term monitoring and integrating conservation efforts into existing wildlife management plans. It stresses mitigating human-dhole conflict, raising awareness at the community and policymaker levels, and transboundary cooperation. However, records of human-dhole conflict or damage caused by dholes, and compensation provided remain very limited in Nepal. The plan also focuses on improving ecosystem connectivity through habitat corridors and supporting scientific research in collaboration with international partners.

Uniquely, the plan addresses funding challenges. Typically, Nepal relies on donors to implement conservation plans but this plan notes that 36% of its activities can be executed through overlapping work in existing tiger and snow leopard conservation plans efforts.

The plan estimates a total budget of NPR 262.85 million (about USD 2 million) over ten years. Of this, NPR 95.9 million could be sourced from existing tiger and snow leopard conservation action plan. The plan proposes an annual budget allocation: 6.79% in the first year, 14.06% in the second, 7.53% in the third, and 10.04% in the fourth year and so on. Implementation status review of this action plan is scheduled between five years intervals.

A pack of wild dogs. Photo: Shutterstock

Implementation responsibilities lie primarily with the DNPWC, DoFSC and provincial forest offices. Coordination will be handled by the DNPWC, while research and monitoring will involve collaboration with institutions like NTNC. The plan also highlights the role of stakeholders in monitoring and evaluation.

Although donor dependence persists, the plan notes that leveraging local resources and integrating with other ongoing programs can help ensure some level of implementation. As the first-ever dedicated conservation plan for dholes globally, it is expected that Nepal will make a meaningful contribution to the conservation of this rare carnivore.

This article was originally published in Nepal language in Kantipur on International Dhole day on 28th May of 2025. The link of the article is found here. Link

Beyond the Summit : Kancha Sherpa’s untold Story of Everest 1953

May 20, 2025
admin
Others, Science and Environment

Gobinda Prasad Pokharel

90 year old Kancha Sherpa spend these days at Nirvana Homes, Namche chanting gospels for world peace. Reminiscing those days, he feels quite surprising to note how the Mount Everest expedition became a successful story. In a brief interaction with the members of Himalayan Climate Bootcamp this April, he shared the story of Mount Everest expedition including its challenges.

Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norway Sherpa resurrected first human footprints at the Mt. Everest on 29th May, 1953. In their arduous journey of Mt. Everest expedition, they were accompanied by Kancha Sherpa including 2 other Sherpas upto an elevation above 27000 ft., who arranged the accommodation from basecamp upto Camp 4.

Namche Bazar is no longer the same place that used to be recalls Kancha Sherpa. His grandfather Aang Furi Sherpa migrated from Thame to this place. During those days, there were around half a dozen of houses in this area. Kancha’s father was a porter along the way from Solukhumbu to Tibet. Life was full of hardship during those days. When Kancha heard that he might be able to grab some work by meeting Tenzing Norgay, he along with his two friends went to Darjeeling to meet Tenzing who was a dear friend of his father. This meeting became a life changing moment for Kancha.

After few months, Tenzing shared his plans of ‘Chomolongma’ expedition. Excited to hear this with a hope that he will get some decent work, Kancha came to Kathmandu from Darjeeling mostly on foot as there was rail service only upto Silgudi at that time.

After few days, Tenzing along with his team came to Bhaktapur where Kancha and his friends were residing. There were only patches of grasses and open spaces in Bhaktapur at that time. With a week long stay at Bhaktapur, they decided to move towards their destination. The team had brought all equipments and materials required for an expedition trip. A total of 400 workers accompanied the team for carrying expedition stuffs. After 16 days of walk all the way from Bhaktapur, Panchakal, to Dolalghat, they eventually reached Namche. Due to the fear of catching extreme cold, these workers were sent back from Namche and the loads were carried by 60 yaks bought from Thame to the basecamp.

This article was originally published in Kantipur Koseli

Due to heavy snowfall and landslides along the way, it was very difficult to commute from Namche to the basecamp. On the one hand, it was a completely new place to them, on the other, they were required to pave a path along the way. After reaching basecamp, huge ice boulders along the way posed great obstacle in their expedition trip. To get rid of this problem, Kancha Sherpa had an innovative idea of paving a path by felling trees and building a bridge. To materialize this, he went back to Namche, fell around 10 trees and ultimately cleared the path from basecamp upwards. “Since there was no iron, leather at that time, this idea clicked well”, Kancha Sherpa stated in conversation with us.

Then camp 1,2 and 3 were gradually arranged. Using fixed rope, they made south pole for the first time. While Kancha and his friends managed oxygen supply, sleeping bags, tents, mattress and other necessities at the south pole, moving upward from camp 3 was extremely challenging due to heavy snowfall and strong wind. There was a danger of losing life. Hence, Kancha and his friends decided to step back from Camp 3 but Tenzing and Edmund wanted to scale up Mt. Everest.

The information of successful summit came at 1pm another day through walkie-talkie and Kancha and his friends were invited to come to Camp 2. Kancha says that Tenzing and Hilary came down after summit in an hour. They exchanged pleasures and warm greetings hugging and kissing each other on their victory.

At the time when a big celebration was going on at Camp 2 of the Mount Everest expedition, Great Britian was bracing up for sworn-in ceremony of their New Queen. The British embassy in Kathmandu was informed from Namche of the successful summiting of the Mount Everest. This news spread not only to Great Britian but also to other parts of the world on June 2nd, 1953. Coincidentally, Queen Elizabeth ascended the throne on the same day.

Postcards at Kanchan Sherpa Residence

Kancha remembers that he was informed of the news of Tenzing and Hilary returning back to Kathmandu via the Thame route as there was no bridge from the side of Dudhkoshi at Namche. Since they were busy celebrating the summit victory, the team left many of their belongings at Camp 2 like tent, kerosene, foods, clothes.

Over the past five decades, Kancha notes that there have been remarkable changes in the Khumbu region. While there was a time when they didn’t even get a paddy rice to eat, today there are varieties of delicacies including various brand of rice, lentils available. Kancha recalls that it was at the age of 20 that he got an opportunity to eat paddy rice for the first time.

Kancha who hadn’t put Syangsheel ( type of shoe upto knee length) for around 15 years feels amazed to see the various brand of shoes showroom at Namche these days. Kancha also remembers the medal that he got from the British Queen and is proud of the name and fame that he could create of the Sherpa people in the world. Even though Kancha have never been to school, he is spreading awareness of free education to children in the remote areas through a foundation at Namche. This information has been included in his autobiography ‘Tough and Cheerful’.

Kancha considers Tenzing and Hilary as gods in the form of human. He is highly indebted to them for making the Sherpa people well-renowned across the world. The changes in the livelihood of Sherpa after Tenzing and Hilary climbed Mount Everest is incredible. “ Now-a-days if a poor Sherpa goes to Lukla airport as a porter, he/she earns around 4-5 thousand. Not only the government but also the people in this community has been able to make some good income by being in the trekking, travel business and tour guide profession”, says Kancha.

People used to have strong religious belief in the mountains those days, Kancha sees some negative trends emerging in the journey of climbing mountains these days. Smoking and drinking alcohol among trekkers and mountaineers are some of the maladies growing at the present time which worries Kancha.

More worrisome for Kancha is the declining snow in the mountain. During his time, there used to snow until the month of June-July but no longer these days. “ If the snow continues to decline, our source of water will also dry up and who will come to climb the mountain”, says Kancha in an anxious tone. He further adds that it has become urgent to conserve the mountains, otherwise, the fate of Sherpa will be like the situation before 1953 full of poverty and extreme hardship.

In their first expedition to Mount Everest, there used to be a good grass cover at the basecamp which was also grazing land for Yak. But this has become a fairy tale for today generation who finds Kancha’s words difficult to believe.

What adds to his worry is the shrinking glaciers. These days Kancha offer prayers by chanting Theng mala for world peace to avoid valanche in the Khumbu icefall region to save the lives of the mountain climbers and trekkers.

Growing pollution in the Sagarmatha region is a matter of grave concern. Kancha thinks that it is high time we give rest to these mountains. He also opines that there should be only one climbing season in a year and remaining months should be free for mountains to stay on their own.

Kancha, however, laments at his unsuccessful attempt to reach the top of the world. While he applied for seven times to climb Mountain Everest, he was denied by the government authority. He could reach upto 27000 ft and 2000 ft above would have been his dream come true. He feels sad that he couldn’t get permission but also thinks that God had different viewpoints of his expedition and also the government rules didn’t favor him.

His autobiography ‘Tough and Cheerful’ was launched in Jan, 2022. To anybody visiting him at the Nirvana house, Kancha has a compelling story to share about his experience of mountaineering. Kancha, who didn’t have any formal education but learned to write his name from Tenzing’s daughter feels proud to put a signature in the book centred around his experience.

This article was Originally published in Kantipur Koseli in Nepali Language. Link to the article: https://web.archive.org/web/20220528040024/https://ekantipur.com/koseli/2022/05/28/16537037582045623.html

Saving ‘The Souls of Himalaya’

May 11, 2025
admin
Opinion

Gobinda Prasad Pokharel

An international conference on snow leopard conservation was recently convened in Nepal. This conference bought together experts, academicians, researchers, and policymakers from the range countries to strengthen scientific collaboration and conservation efforts. The conferenced focused on cross-border coordination and knowledge exchange to ensure the long-term survival of the snow leopard in its 12 range countries.

Snow leopard is given by many names in the region- some call it the ‘Queen of the Himalayas’ others the ‘Ghost of the Mountains’. It is an indicator species of a healthy ecosystem and an apex predator in the high mountains of Asia. Among Buddhist communities, it is revered as an incarnation of Lord Buddha. Thanks- to their cultural beliefs that they saved this species from generations that today we are able to see this most elusive big cats on the planet.

Current population estimation by Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Program(GSLEP) shows there are 4,000 to 6,500 snow leopards globally. China has the highest number of snow leopard population with estimation of 2,000-2,500. There are between 100–200 individuals in Afghanistan and Bhutan, 718 in India, 100–110 in Kazakhstan, 150–500 in Kyrgyzstan, 127 in Mongolia, 200–420 in Pakistan, 70–90 in Russia, 180–220 in Tajikistan and 20–50 in Uzbekistan. The species is currently listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List category.

However, habitat fragmentation, climate change, human-wildlife conflict, illegal trade and linear infrastructure development has emerged as a growing threats of the survival of these species in the range countries. In the three-day event jointly organized by National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), Department of National Parks and Wildlife Cosnervation with the technology support from Peking University, Amity foundation, Tencent SSV and Shan Shui Conservation Center of China- participants from 10 snow leopard range countries shared national efforts, scientific findings and regional challenges. The conference concluded with the adoption of the six-points ‘Kathmandu resolution on collaboration for snow leopard conservation’ which focused on community-based conservation, transboundary cooperation, climate change mitigation, conflict resolution, feral dog threats, disease control and technology transfer.

In Mongolia railway and linear infrastructure development has posed threats to its survival. Feral dogs issues and killing of prey species has inceased the chances disease outbreaks and conflicts in China, India, Bhutan and other range countries. Livestock depredation has become the major issue in Nepal. Climate change triggering factors like erratic rainfall patterns has been the threats to habitat.

Mass killings of livestock in Mustang and Manang districts in the past has showed the increase in conflict in the region. During the last of April, 2025 snow leopard killed 8 mountain goats in the Mustang region on 30th April. To resolve these issues, predator proof corral is an effective way to secure the livestock depredation inside the shed. This activities should be carried out across the habitat region and needs further investment to secure the sheds thereby increasing the rangeland status.

On the other hand, an alarming threats of feral dogs and disease outbreaks is coming in the near future. The dogs normally follow the tourist and get strayed in the high mountain and feed on everything likes waste deposition and ultimately killing the natural prey species which increase the chances of conflict or disease transfer. Snow leopard prefers blue sheep, Himalayan Thar, Argali, Ibes, Pikas, hares and other ungulates species. So, efforts should be focused in increasing these prey species thereby securing the habitat and rangeland management in the habitat area. In Nepal, around 45% of the snow leopard’s diet consists of domestic livestocks and 42% of snow leopard habitat lies outside the protected areas. So, there is an ample opportunities in bringing the communities together in conserving this species thereby securing its habitat. Linking snow leopard to tourism will provide opportunity to the community.

GSLEP has aimed to secure at least 24 snow leopard landscape across its range. The Snow leopard landscape is defined as an area with at least 100 breeding age snow leopards supported by connectivity and adequate prey populations. .Nepal has 3 out of the 24 snow leopard landscapes- Eastern, Central and the Western landscape.

There are many actions that can be taken out in snow leopard conservation in regional scale. By strengthening trans boundary collaboration and habitat connectivity can secure the snow leopard habitat. It will also help to know the behavior and moment status of this range species. Sharing the data and creating a common data sharing platforms will help to know more about this species in the high mountain. During the conference, participants urged to develop a policy recommendation for wildlife friendly border management practices and trans boundary peace parks. If the range countries government agree on it, this will be a giant leap not only in snow leopard conservation with the whole wildlife species.

Engaging the local people in conservation can help to secure the wildlife habitat. For example, Other effective area based conservation measures (OECMs) declaration can be a way to engage the local people in conservation thereby engaging locals in wildlife monitoring, citizen scientists methods, partnership and regular patrolling activities. Creating OECMs can be a new practice. As we are in the brink of climate crisis, vulnerability assessment is key indicator to know the habitat status so that resilient habitat can be protected. One of the most measure is to promote the use of technologies.

Technology advancement and data sharing will help to manage the population and ecosystem habitats. Creating a foraging habitat for prey species and rangeland management can increase the prey species ungulates population which can help to reduce the livestock predation.

As discussed in the snow leopard conference, we need to address the issue of habitat fragmentation due to climate change, illegal trade, human-wildlife conflict, and infrastructure development. Cross-border cooperation is also another factor to be addressed as many snow leopard habitats span national boundaries.

Nepal’s recent snow leopard survey has estimated to 397 snow leopards which is about 10% of the global population. The survey is based on using the camera trapping, genetic analysis, spatial monitoring, use of citizen scientists and other advanced technologies and modelling. The population density is estimated at 1.56 individuals per 100 sq. km.
However there are still challenges as 42% of snow leopard habitats lie outside of protected areas where habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching. Around 60% of Nepal’s snow leopard population is found in the western region. However, due to climate change and habitat degradation, approximately 40% of its habitat has been lost. To address these issues, Nepal has made six years Snow Leopard Conservation Action Plan 2024–2030 to strengthen conservation efforts and ensure the long-term survival. The action plan envisions a budget of USD 14.24 million but securing the fund is challenging in the present context.

At last, Snow leopards do not have their borders and their habitat should be protected beyond the political habitat to ensure their survival. Science must remain neutral and collaborative in the amid of political tensions between the range countries these days. Conservation is a result of long-term commitment so, saving the snow leopard is not only about the conservation, it is about saving the souls of Himalaya and High Mountain.

This is the unedited version of my Article that was published in Annapurna Express in Print on 9th May 2025. The online version was published on 11th May of 2025 Article Link: