MIST Implementation in CNP

Implementation of 'Management Information System (MIST)'or 'Smart patrolling' in Chitwana National Park is going to be started by 1st September 2011. For the first phase 14 guard posts of CNP will start its implementation. Two units of orientation training were organized on 14-15 and 18-19 August 2011. Total 51 field staff were trained on use of modern technology such as GPS, data formats.

Injured Tiger Rescued

A sub-adult male tiger taking refuse in the human settlements because of injury on its leg and serially killing more than dozen livestock from Kolhuwa area of Nawalparasi district, a Buffer Zone area of Chtiwan National Park (CNP) has been taken under control successfully by the joint team of technicians of Chitwan National Park and NTNC-Biodiversity Conservation Center (BCC). The tiger was reported from the area on

the second week of March. The technician’s team went to the area on 11th march. The team surveyed the area and followed the signs of tiger for 3 days. During this time also the tiger killed a buffalo calf, a goat and an ox. The team tried to capture tiger using the killed ox as bait on 14th March but unfortunately the tiger could not be captured. The next day morning i.e. 14th March, the tiger was taken under control after immobilizing it. Mr. Harka Man Lama, Senior Wildlife Technician of BCC was the man behind the gun to dart the tiger. The tiger was transferred to Kasara, now kept on the existing wooden enclosure. The age of the tiger is estimated to be 2.5-3 years. It’s right hind leg is limping; still it is able to make kills. The senior veterinarian Dr. Kamal Prasad Gairhe has been doing the necessary treatment.

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Objectives

• To sustain and strengthen conservation endeavours through biodiversity research and monitoring; and
• To enhance local livelihoods through sustainable community development programmes.

In 1989, after Smithsonian Institution,USA completed its assignment in the Chitwan National Park (CNP), Nepal and handed over the Nepal Terai Ecology Project to NTNC, the Trust established the Nepal Conservation Research and Training Center (NCRTC) to conduct biological research and monitoring of flora and fauna in the lowland (Terai) protected areas of Nepal. In the course of time, the Center widened its focus and added a human dimension to its conservation efforts.

The expansion in scope is also reflected by renaming NCRTC to Biodiversity Conservation Center (BCC) in January 2002. The emphasis has been on integrated conservation and development program with the twin objectives of applied biological research and sustainable development of local communities by providing alternative livelihood options. This has helped in minimizing the conflicts between the park and the people residing in the periphery of the CNP. BCC has been providing technical expertise to CNP in the translocation of rhinos, census of flagship species and research within and outside the park. BCC has implemented the first landscape level conservation project in Nepal with the support of Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Foundation (UNF), and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Center seeks affiliation with other international universities, conservation partners and training institutions to develop the center as a regional conservation training center.

BCC has undertaken various conservation initiatives from single species conservation to landscape level biodiversity conservation. BCC has been regularly carrying out monitoring of rhino, tiger and its prey base and birds. Vulture breeding center has recently been established with an objective to revive the dwindling population of two species of vultures in the wild.

Since its inception, BCC has been instrumental in assisting local communities living on the periphery of CNP to plant and regenerate degraded forest land into green corridors, thereby, reinstating frequent visits and resettlement of endangered species like rhinoceroses, tigers and other wild animals and bird species within the rehabilitated area. It has also provided ample resources for the local communities living within the buffer zone for community development activities.

BCC is also supporting local communities by providing diversified economic options such as capacity building, income generation, alternative energy, and health and sanitation.