Parks, people, and conservation: A review of management issues in nepal's protected areas

Abstract

Human encroachment and many management problems affect Nepals protected areas despite conservation activities governmental support and legal protection. Some problems of the Kosi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in the subtropical Terai region include illegal grazing illegal wood and fodder cutting wildlife mortality from monsoon floods and densely populated boundary areas. 4 small villages exist within the Parsa Wildlife Reserve in the Terai region and illegal timber cutting is common. Chitwan National Park lies within Chitwan District which has the greatest population growth in Nepal (3.5%/year vs. 2.7%/year for the whole country) which has resulted in considerable park/people management problems including rising numbers of tourists. Shivapuri Wildlife Reserve in the middle hills of Nepal houses various watershed projects since it provides most of the drinking water for Kathmandu Valley. The creation of this reserve has curbed overgrazing and deforestation activities. The Makalu-Barun National Park/Conservation Area is uninhabited and 1 of the only unexploited areas in the mountains. Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park has received >10000 foreign tourists and 2500 people (chiefly Sherpa) live in it. This puts much strain on existing forests. A proposal exists for integrated conservation and development including maximum participation and management by the local people for the Annapurna Conservation Area--a highly visited area of Nepal. Overgrazing by domestic stock is a main problem of the Dhor Patan Hunting Reserve. 650 mostly Thakuri residents of 2 villages in Rara National Park were relocated to Barida District in the Terai where many have died. Population pressure from population growth and tourism affect the protected areas of Nepal. Conservation specialists need to develop ways to introduce incentives for local people to diminish park/people conflicts and better conservation strategies.