Wildlife Week observed in Shuklaphanta National Park with focus on conservation

Kanchanpur. Wildlife Week is being observed in Shuklaphanta National Park with various awareness and promotional programs. The week has been celebrated since Baisakh 1 under the theme 'Safe People, Safe Wildlife: Utilization of Biodiversity, Bridge to Prosperity'.

Assistant Warden of the park, Binay Kumar Jha, stated that the programs are being conducted with the objective of minimizing human-wildlife conflict, reducing damage, and achieving prosperity through the sustainable use of biodiversity.

According to him, along with a cleaning program at the park's main office in Majhgaun, programs to raise awareness about wildlife, the environment, and biodiversity have been conducted. Information regarding conservation has been shared with the participation of local communities, students, and stakeholders.

Park Ranger Prayas KC stated that the week will conclude on Monday (Baisakh 7) with a cleaning program and events related to wildlife, biodiversity, and conservation in the East-West Mahendra Highway area near the eastern sector of Arjuni. He also informed that a swamp deer counting program will be initiated in the park on the occasion of Wildlife Week.

Ranger KC mentioned that during the count, detailed monitoring of the number, habitat, and availability of food for the swamp deer will be conducted.

In the previous count, the number of swamp deer here was found to be 2,303. It is estimated that the number has increased this time due to the further promotion of conservation efforts. Since the conservation campaign began in Nepal in the 1980s, significant success has been achieved in the protection and population growth of rare wildlife. The park management stated that such achievements have been possible through the collaboration between the government, security agencies, local communities, and conservation partners.