Recalling Ropai- Festival of farmers

A Long Lost Species in the Conservation Domain: The Otter

I have not yet been fortunate to behold an otter in the wild. But learning about them from books and articles has passionately engaged me with them. I love watching their antics on internet videos, playing on the banks of rivers, or juggling small stones. The moment they emerge from deep water with a fish in their mouth is captivating. But these beautiful creatures are now suffering the consequences of human disturbance and face many threats in their natural habitat, the rivers, and the wetlands of Nepal.

Three species of otters inhabit our wetlands: the Eurasian otter, Smooth-coated otter, and Small-clawed otter. Otters are medium-sized fish-eating mammals. The Small-clawed otter has not been sighted in decades, and the Eurasian and Smooth-coated otters are sparsely populated. Most of their populations are concentrated inside parks and other protected areas. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature lists both of these species as Near Threatened and Vulnerable respectively.

Map of otter distribution in Nepal (Source: USAID/WWF Nepal, 2020)

Otter species are perhaps more threatened in Nepal from development than elsewhere, especially from dam construction for electricity and irrigation and destructive sand and stone mining, as well as escalating threats of global climate change. Additionally, the illegal trade in wildlife, water pollution, and unsustainable fishing are considered to be profound factors affecting the well-being of otters.  Their future may face chaos and uncertainty. Conservation measures are urgently needed to defy these threats, including comprehensive research on the status of otter populations.  So far, almost no information is available on otters in Nepal, which has further limited their conservation. Research on otters is itself a challenging task as these animals are shy, elusive, nocturnal, and extremely difficult to locate in their natural habitat. Till now, most of our research techniques on otters are largely based on indirect evidence, the study of their spraint, tracks, and reports from villagers and fishermen. But this trend needs to be transcended and scientific and convincing research techniques must be wisely utilized, such as camera trapping and e-DNA analysis so as to understand the in-depth ecological characteristics and genetics of the species.

For instance, otters are now no more seen in the Narayani River, and on that premises, conservationists have concluded that they are extirpated from the river, but definitive evidence is lacking. Recent sightings of Dolphins in the Narayan River suggest that otters may still be able to live there, but surveys are needed to confirm their presence.

Fishing nets entangled in the scat of otter

Few people are aware of the presence of otters in the rivers and lakes of Nepal. Crucial environmental issues such as climate change and conservation of flagship species draw enormous attention from the people, media, and problem solvers, while the concern over small mammals such as otters is dimmer. The National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 of Nepal provides legal protection to 27 species of mammals but does not protect otters. The Aquatic Animal Conservation Act of 1960 gives some protection to aquatic species, including otters, from illegal killing and capture, but has not been effective in curbing the prevalent threats to otters.  

 Humans and otters share a common natural resource of water. Conservation programs that exclude the needs of human communities cannot help conserve otters. To truly ensure a sustainable solution for otter survival in the wild, the needs and concerns of local people must be integrated into any conservation strategy. Local people must be involved in the stewardship of otters and their habitat. Raising awareness and knowledge among people needs to be promoted to reduce the risk of illegal killing and trade of otters. Otherwise, we will not succeed in conserving otters in the wild rivers of Nepal. Apart from this, strengthening the legal protection, research, and regular monitoring, pragmatic implementation of realistic EIA reports, promoting the practice of sustainable fishing, and banning direct disposal of sewage and waste into the river are crucial steps urgently needed for otter conservation in Nepal.

Despite the challenges, there are now some positive initiatives for the protection of otters in Nepal. Otter species have reappeared in historical habitats and some of the new places as well. Rama Mishra has sighted otters in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, long considered to have lost its otters. Otter researchers are extremely excited about this first sighting of otters in the eastern part of the country after a decade-long gap. Eurasian otters seemed to be lost from the country for 30 years until a recent sighting by Mohan Bikram Shrestha and his team in the Sani Bheri and Utter Ganga Rivers in Rukum West. A recent initiative, the Nepal Otter Action Plan, is lauded as an encouraging step in guiding otter conservation. For this initiative, otter surveys exploring the status and distribution of otters across the country are providing a new understanding of the status of otters.

A research team from the Nepal Otter Action Plan is setting up a camera trap for a Eurasian Otter survey in the Tadi River of Nuwakot District.

We must make certain that these charismatic and valuable creatures do not slip through our hands into oblivion. A growing number of young enthusiastic researchers, ecologists, and conservationists dedicated to otter research and conservation is kindling hope for an optimistic future for otter conservation in our country. I hope this World Otter Day on May 25th may bring awareness and positive action in securing and building a safer place for otters in Nepal. 

 

In search of vanishing otter

 Eurasian otters have lost for long years from the rivers and streams of Nepal partly because of insufficient research attempts and others due to the increasing human threats. Even though they are the most widespread otter species in the world but we have extremely low population density in our country so are on the brink of imminent depletion unless appropriate conservation measures are timely adopted. 

Collecting otter scat at Tadi River Nuwakot

we ventured out on the expedition in search of these beautiful creatures in one of the remotest parts of the Nuwakot district- Ghyangfedi. Though it has access to a road and a regular bus service from Kathamndu, however, it is like an entirely separated island from the entire planet; absolutely mesmerizing, typical Tamang inhabitant, peaceful, and natural-so is not much touched by the human advancement. The chirping of birds, the murmur of the rivers, and the surreal beauty of Tamang cultures rejuvenates us as we were exhausted from the hustling and bustling of Kathmandu city. It was a very different feeling being in the lap of nature. We reached out to Ghyangfedi in the winter season so it was extremely cold as it was located at around the altitude of  2500m from the sea level. But the excitement of being in such a peaceful area was very different. We have gone there with an aim of capturing the live sightings of an otter or at least capturing it on the camera traps, unfortunately, expectations didn't go on our way. however, we were successful in locating the scats and pugmarks of the Eurasian otters. Walking along the river and observing every tiny component of nature has actually traumatized us. We observe plenty of otter scats along the river and set up the 15 camera traps in the most probable areas of its occurrence but couldn't capture the Eurasian otter. 

Setting up camera trapping for otter survey in Tadi river, Nuwakot

But as we're successful in collecting enough evidence for proving the presence of otters in the Tadi river, It has somehow made us satisfied with our attempt. Besides it, we collect so many memories that still hung on to my head and made me fresh.  

Who says spirituality Kills ambitions?

The most heard misconception about spirituality is that it annihilates ambitions. It sounds a little bit weird but it is found widely embedded in the mind of general laypeople. Most people often advocate that it inundates your mind and body with peace, calmness, tranquility, and softness which become barriers in your voyage to clinch your dreams. This specifically diminishes your energy and longingness for achieving goals in your life. Very often people think that spiritualistic people shouldn’t have a fervid desire for earning money in their life. These are the very common but wrong perspectives people have made about spiritualism and they often get scared to follow the spiritualistic path.

But I will tell you, spirituality is the path that assists you to ascend your every character and thoughts beyond your imagination. You will become a completely transformed person filled with virtuous and righteous thoughts and character. It leads your life towards complete happiness. Things started to become extremely beautiful and pleasant.   even on small achievements, you begin to cherish them with maximum contentment. characters and. Hence, you will have a happy and joyful mind which works more properly and efficiently than an anxious and worried mind. So you don’t need to crave for successful and prosperous life however it comes as a byproduct of a spiritualistic pathway.

Earning money through morally acceptable work is not heinous however it is the result of your strong commitment and hard work. This is what actually spiritualism teaches us to be focused concentrated, dedicated and hard-working. Success is inevitable when people become focused and dedicated in their work. Some of the enlightened gurus have insisted that earning lavishing amount of money is not wrong, enjoying a luxurious life is not wrong but he/she needs to spend some of his earnings for the service and welfare of poor people and mother earth.  

The major highlight of the 5th Amendment of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029

The National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act was promulgated in 2029, which had brought paramount changes regarding the conservation and protection of wildlife and their habitats. In the very beginning, Nepal followed the Yellowstone model, which more importantly emphasized the protection of flagship species and their habitats. As a result, Chitwan National Park was established in 2030 primarily focusing on the conservation of One Horned Rhinocerous and Tiger. Eventually, other national parks were also established giving higher priority to species-focused conservation like Baridya National Park for Tiger conservation in 2032 and so on. However, with the passing time, the modality of conservation was to be reviewed, so addressing this need, The National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act had amendments in the different time periods for five times. 

The 5th amendment poses special attention as it has made some terrific provisions concerning wildlife conservation and protection. Firstly, the management of wildlife corridors is an important input it has made. Increasing construction of linear infrastructure, population growth, and developmental works have resulted in the fragmentation of wildlife habitats. It has impeded the movement of animals and is forced to be confined within the narrow habitat which causes in loss of genetic diversity due to genetic drift. Corridors connect fragmented habitats thereby easing the flow of animals which will eventually reduce the severity of genetic drift while maintaining genetic diversity.

It has made a provision of wildlife farming, breeding, and research of various wild animals, reptiles, and amphibians. The person or any organization who wishes to start wildlife farming can easily begin their business after permission taken from the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation. The major purpose behind the formulation of this provision is to enhance the livelihood of local people through the farming of wildlife, however, the policy doesn't look supportive to marginalized communities.  However, some wildlife conservationists widely criticize this provision accusing, unless we don't have good monitoring mechanisms, this will further increase the possibility of wildlife poaching and illegal trading.

The provision of providing animals for research and educational exhibitions would allow national and international scientists and researchers to investigate the various aspects of animals and their habitat. It will yield evidence and findings regarding the status, ecology, habitat, and threats of the concerned species and will assist in carrying out research-based management and protection activities. 

The provision of the establishment of zoos, wildlife rescue centers, and wildlife hospital is another positive input of the 5th amendment. Similarly, the person who illegally stores, transport, and sell wildlife's body parts of protected species is fined up to Rs. 10 Lakhs and sentenced to 15-year jail or both. 

The provisions made in the 5th amendment of NPWC act 2029 are strongly inclined towards the protection and conservation of wildlife and their habitat. 

 

Experience of learning online course on community forestry with RECOFTC

For a very long time, I was locked inside my home due to an unprecedented lockdown and I was frequently wondering for something productive task, which might assist me in keeping busy. Unexpectedly, I got encountered a post on Facebook about the free online course that was going to be taken by RECOFTC. When I saw it, instantly, I had made the mind that, I will definitely going to participate in this course. Now, I am happily sharing my experience of successful involvement in an online course and through which I got an opportunity to enrich my knowledge in community forestry. 

I am a forestry graduate student and I am looking vehemently at my carrier in the field of forestry. For this simple reason, this course has been a great boon for me. Besides, I am really interested in social science, particularly, how people in the community operate rights in maximizing benefits from the forests. Additionally, I have read, how magically, the community forest of Nepal has changed the fate of millions of creatures and the lives of people depending upon the forest resources. This dramatic transformation, the country has achieved through community foresty has often intrigued me to delve inside it. 

So far, during these few weeks, I have learned so many things about community forestry. Before, I was completely naive about, how community forestry is practiced in other Asian countries. Indeed, it somehow helps me to get the general idea of different modalities of community forestry, their tenure rights, kinds of rights devolved to the local people and so many things associated with community forestry. Besides, I came to know about, problems and challenges faced by community forestry across the South-Asian region. However, I see multiple advantages of community forestry too, ranging from improvement of livelihood of people to imperative contribution in curbing green-house gaseous. Furthermore, I learn about various kinds of principles practiced in community forestry. So, the last few days have been extremely worthful for me.

#ForestForLife 

The series of Scandal: putting the ruling party down

The series of scandals: Scandals and controversies related to bribing of political leaders of the ruling and opposition party are no more novel issues in the short political history of Nepal. Every week, or at least within an interval of a month, new scandals of political leaders embroiled in some controversies get viral throughout the nation, especially in social media bringing the new cause of despair and anguish to citizens around the nation. With the dire hope of witnessing prosperous and developed nations, people around the country elected KP Sharma Oli and his companion as one of the strongest governments of the history. Nepalese people who were exhausted from the repeated ephemeral and turbulent government system before were seeking some hope of rise and shine on the current ruling party leading by KP Sharma Oli. Unfortunately, the government has not been able to persuade even their own followers on their favors in recent times leaking their fame and popularity. Despite powerful government, the constructional work and developmental project are not going in bearable rate and they are not getting momentum as they were supposed to take before the formation of the government. The questions must be raised when the stewardship for the development and constructional works were repeatedly taken by the Dhurmus-Suntali Foundation raising money from common people. This is totally disgusting and the government needs to be serious about these kinds of issues.
The series of scandals and controversies of the ministers from the alleged rape case of  Krishna Bahadur Mahara-Bishnu Poudel's illegal land transaction to Gokul Baskota's 70 crore bribe has put the government completely down as result effectiveness and popularity of government has been constantly impaired and wrecking.

The dealing audio recording for a commission (70 crore) by Gokul Baskota with Swish agent has gone abruptly viral in the social media today, due to which he was compelled to resign from his ministry post. These are the few representative cases that were being caught mistakenly. So we can easily speculate how corrupted this government has been. The frequent scandals and controversies embroiled by their own ministers have made the journey of KP Sharma Oli as a prime minister more difficult and troublesome. In recent times he found busy dealing with controversies of their own ministers and rescuing them from the arduous situation rather than vesting his energy on building a prosperous and developed nation. These kinds of situation have created complete havoc around the nation and questions have started to rise gradually against the government, simultaneously looking for better options for the next election.