Reports

Interaction on Transboundary Wildlife Migration
23rd November 1996

WWG held an interaction program on the cross-border movement of wildlife species in Bardia so that the local community, wildlife authorities and journalists could discuss the problems that arose. The movement of large mammals not only threatens their own populations but also affect the local villagers in Bardia and neighboring Indian villages. The animals use routes that lead into fields, destroying crops and sometimes, wounding villagers. Since the problem was serious, Nepalese officials suggested that a transboundary conservation strategy be designed to protect the wildlife species in Nepal and India. The program was organized with the help of KMTNC, IUCN, DNPWC and supported by WWF.

Interaction on Tiger Census and Conservation
5th January 1997

The half-day interaction was organized by WWG in an attempt to discuss the present activities in preserving the tigers and to improve the wildlife knowledge of journalists. There were 24 journalists participating who belonged to Nepal's daily and weekly newspapers. The other participants included wildlife experts, senior government officials and wardens. Both Dr. Prahlad Yonzon and forest expert, Karna Shakya gave their reports on the issue of tiger preservation.

Interaction on the International Bird Trade
26th March 1997

The one day interaction program, supported by WWF Nepal was an attempt to open a discussion on a wide variety of issues all related to the trapping of birds and their trade across South Asia. Mangal Man Shakya and Prateek Bhandari presented papers on 'Bird Trade Thrives on Political Protection' and 'Indian birds go to Pakistan via Nepal' respectively. Other issues discussed included pollution, use of pesticides, forest fires, climatic change all of which have helped to put birds in Nepal at risk. The meeting served to educate the journalists and relevant authorities on the bird trade whose existence is a clear violation of CITES.

Interaction on Gifting One-Horned Rhino
5th May 1997

WWG organized the resistance to the gifting of the rhinos bu DNPWC to London Zoo through the London Zoological Society in mid-May. by having demonstrate outside the British embassy in Kathmandu and the Lufthansa office in Durbar Marg. WWG handed over memorandums to the Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation and the Minister for Population and Environment and even the Prime Minister. Despite the protests, the DNPWC continued with the transaction, which led WWG to hold an interaction program to discuss the issue.

South-South Exchange Program (SSEP) May 2003 to December 2003 and September 2003 to April 2004
WWG administered the first ever South-South Exchange Program (SSEP) from May 2003 to April 2004. as the local secretariat of the implementing organization, the Asia Pacific Federation of Environmental Journalists (APFEJ). This program was initiated by APFEJ and was funded by Fredskorpset, a Norwegian organization. SSEP is a staff exchange program, among the organizations of the South and South-East Asian countries. The participants would share their knowledge and gain new information and knowledge from others. All the participants worked in the partner organizations as volunteers and staff for eight months, exchanging their experience and knowledge in the relevant field.

Investigation: Illegal Bear Bile Trade in Nepal
WWG had conducted an investigation on the bear bile trade in the country. They studied about the three different species of bear to gain in-depth knowledge about the animals. Then in the study conducted the organization has shed light on the reasons these bears are killed, how trade progresses, legal provisions but failures of its implementations, reasons and opportunities for these traders to conduct trade in Nepal and so on. By its small effort, WWG has brought the issue before the people for pondering and serious consideration.

Workshop on "Need for Producing Better Dissertation in Master's Thesis in Endangered Species in Nepal"
2 July 2005

On July 2 2005, WWG organized a workshop on 'Need for Producing Better Dissertation" in endangered species of Nepal, in Jwagal, Lalitpur. Seventeen former and current graduate students of Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, attended the workshop. The workshop was conducted to highlight the importance of dissertation in a thesis and the research methodology in the dissertation.

Interaction program in collaboration with NEFUG
1 January 2006

On 1 January 2006, WWG together with Nepalese Federation of Forest Resource Users' Group organized an interaction program to highlight the unfair provision of the act and to stress the need of amending this ordinance. The interaction program aimed at collecting the opinions of the stakeholders and to hold discussions on the issue. In the latter stage, a group discussion was also held and the participants expressed their individual views.

Interaction Program on Yarsagumba in Nepal
19 May 2006

WWG in association with Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC) and Biodiversity Research and Development Center (BIRD) organized an interaction program on Yarsagumba on 19 May 2006. The program was organized to disseminate information on Yarsagumba and about its trade. The program comprised of speeches, presentations and documentaries.

Conflict and Conservation
2006

The decade long armed conflict in the country resulted in the loss lives and property of many. Not only human beings but the flora and fauna of Nepal were also severely affected. Proper plans and policies on conservation could not be drafted nor implemented. The conflict posed threat on the lives of the endangered species, other animals and also resulted in deforestation, illegal hunting etc. even in the protected areas. When the attention was drawn to end the armed conflict and establish peace, the poachers had less difficulty in carrying out their deeds. The damage had been done but the extent of the damage was not known. So WWG undertook a six month study to understand the impact of armed conflict and its impact in the conservation efforts in the protected areas. The program was broadly categorized into two stages. The first stage was to conduct a research on the impact of conflict on the protected areas of Nepal, which was published later. The second stage was organizing an International Conference on Conservation and Conflict. The study was supported by the Finnish Embassy and the Conference was supported by Finnish Embassy, WWF Nepal, IUCN Nepal and The Mountain Institute.

Conference (International Conference on Conservation in Conflict)
Nepal has recently encountered a decade long armed conflict and it had adversely affected the biodiversity in the country. To find solution to this problem, national and international attention was needed. This would provide an international platform to all countries to share the experiences and the ways of dealing with the consequences. So, WWG with the assistance from Embassy of Finland, WWF Nepal, The Mountain Institute (TMI) and IUCN Nepal, organized a three day International Conference on Conservation and Conflict from September 5-7, 2006.

Workshop on Illegal Wildlife Trade
The trade of wildlife has flourished due to the high demand and easy money people get from it. Thus, despite the law people carry out this trade. This has resulted in a negative impact on the biodiversity. The rare or endangered the species the higher the payment. The problem is big and includes a network of people who work underground in carrying out the task. In order to draw attention to illegal wildlife trade in the country, WWG in-partnership with WWF Nepal conducted a half-day workshop on "Study of Illegal Wildlife Trade and Traders in Chitwan, Kathmandu and Rasuwa districts." Many people working in the sector of interested in the area attended the workshop. The workshop not only highlighted the problem in three districts but sought suggestions and solutions from the participants.

Gharial Conservation Program
Many officials attended the program and many personnel representing various organizations participated. Program Officer of SOS Crocodiles (France), Mr. Antoine Joseph, presented a proposal developed by SOS Crocodiles, WWG and WWF Nepal on "Gangatic Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) Conservation in Nepal: Action Plan for Gharial Rescue in Nepal." The program was a huge success. The participants received a lot of information about the issue and even gave valuable input for better planning and developing strategies.

Report on Pro-Active Campaign against Illegal Wildlife Trade in Major Cities/Routes of Nepal
July 2007

A study was designed to carry out campaign against illegal wildlife trade. For this a four-member study team under the guidance of the Chairperson of WWG was formed. The team consisted of journalist and activist. The study was conducted from May to June 2007. The study was conducted in three districts of Nepal: Chitwan, Kathmandu and Rasuwa. These districts were selected as Chitwan National Park is the habitat of one-horned rhinos, one of the most poached animal in Nepal, Kathmandu as it serves as a transit to the smugglers and Rasuwa because it borders Tibet, a major market of such illegal goods. The team visited three districts in Nepal and used various measures or tools to collect information and data such as observation, interview etc. The key informants were national park officials, security personnel, convicted wildlife traders at the central jail in Chitwan as well as prominent businessmen of key market areas in Kathmandu where also contacted during the study.