Success in Tiger conservation

- Gopal Khanal,Kailali. 

All are happy in the regard that Nepal has been able to achieve a huge success in tiger conservation by increasing its tiger population with more than 60 % since 2009. But I wonder why responsible authorities have not concentrated their attention in the biological corridors linking Nepalese and Indian PAs i.e. Basanta of Kailali and Laljhadi of Kanchanpur yet despite their tremendous significance in terms of dispersal patch for tiger. A lot is yet to be done on different aspects in these biological corridors if long term survival of a viable tiger population in the Terai landscape is sought. Results revealed no good sign for Basanta and Laljhadi except Khata. Recently local people reported that a mother tiger with her cub is roaming around the forest area in Khailad VDC of Basanta corridor. This might be a permanent resident for Basanta corridor since the high level of water in the Mohana in this season couldn’t allow tigers to migrate from Dudhuwa Tiger Reserve to Basanta with her cub. But this has not got the attention of authorities. Please have a look for this news. Though I am not arguing this news is hundred percent correct but it gives a potential indication as it was reported by local people.

Hope this message will make the authorities re-think about their efforts in tiger conservation.

Obviously, Basanta deserves attention as much as other PAs as it can facilitates dispersal and gene flow of endangered tiger species. However, it has not got attention till now. I am proud to be a local of Basanta. We are doing our best to conserve the basanta forest. The most important matter is to halt the ongoing encroachment and restore the prey population. A good sign of prey recovery has been observed these days. But at the last government's concern is crucial in doing all these. Lets hope Basanta will be a good habitat for tiger soon.

- Dr. Mahendra Shrestha

It is amazing to learn that a tigress with cubs have been seen in Basanta. I saw my first tiger in this forest while patrolling at night sometime in 1986. And then we found a strong indirect sign of tiger's presence during my research in early 2000s. Unfortunately, I have been hearing that there has been extensive encroachment of forest land in the southern parts east of Hasuliya, KI Singh Phanta, and Rampur Phanta in recent years. This forest used to be quite intact and it makes me very sad to hear the loss of habitat and degradation. Absolutely, this is one of the corridors in the TAL that has the contiguous connection (although narrow because of the settlement in the Indian side) along the Mohana river and southern part of Bhajani (I forget the name but I walked a lot along this trail during the rainy season in 1986/87 to get to the nearest train station across the border to travel between Dhangadhi and the plantation project that I was overlooking north of Bhajani. The Basanta corridor deserves as much attention like others regarding the dispersal potential between Dudhwa TR in India and the rest of the Nepal TAL. The local community engagement is the must to save this patch of forest. I know some of the local conservation leaders including Mr. Vijay Shrestha and many others are working hard to protect the forest but they need a strong support from other line agencies and locals from the neighboring villages. The forest habitat can be restored and the wild animals start colonizing the area provided the area gets enough protection. The local community should see and realize the value of this forest and some economic incentives to support their livelihood linked to the protection of forest. Thanks to Phulram Choudhary, Bijay Shrestha, Padampur Nepal from the Forest Dept, and many others from the local community for their deep interest in conservation of this forest and the wild animals sharing this habitat. Further sustenance of this forest depends o. The local conservation leaders. All the best.

- Bijay Raj Shrestha,Kailali 

Thank you very much Dr. Mahendra Shrestha . We know your greatness for conservation Kailai's forest biological corridor & mega rear wildlife's natural habitat . From 3 dicked Several times we meat you & your high level conservation team at Bhajani Range post forest Area with local community people . Always you support us . Locally we are remembering this event time to time . The another very important thing is we know your very work hard to plantation at Joshipur ,Thapapur ,Bhajani & Lalboji Kandra & Kanda River rinse side as a Nepal Government forest officer on BS 2042/ 043 . Promod Singh Rathour is ma Mama who is your best friend. Best of luck Dr Mahendra sir for your valuable words . Take hope very soon we meat with you at Kailai forest side at Nepal . Again thank you so much to Pahalmanpur area GoN Forest officer Mr Padam Raj Nepal , Gorkhapatr Reporter of Kailai's Ratanpur vdc resident Mr Abinash Chaudari & Ranger of Bhajani , Pachumudiya range post Kailali . Dr shrestha from Nepal nearest train station of India is TIKUNIYA & another is Belrayan . Balrayan is also range post of Dudawa national park India very close to Nepal .