k | ltlaDa Wildlife Conservation in Corona Crises in Nepal
Nature reflects our nature
Nowadays , we have been more hooked to the internet than ever as the whole world is fighting the corona pandemic and Nepal in lockdown for more than a month . We feel so elated to see humans being confined to their homes while vegetation are reclaiming cities , wildlife walking freely on streets , water getting cleaner in the rivers worldwide and air pollution dropping . Probably when it seems like we are in proximity to a mass extinction like they show in a Hollywood movie but it has certainly given the much needed time for nature to pamper itself and rejuvenate . Although , the immediate impact looks good for biodiversity , in long term it is not as rosy at it seems .
As the pandemic continues , countries have imposed travel restrictions ; it is making it harder for conservationists , wildlife photographers and researchers to conduct field work which could have acted as additional watch dog by reports and advocacy on the current situation as well as generated data to be used in different conservation implications . It is also estimated that many sponsors and volunteers will divert their charity and donations in the field of public health sector due to this ongoing pandemic and conservation sector is projected to face an acute shortage . As Nepal is based on mostly donor based conservation , the challenge further extrapolates as many conservation activities will be hindered . In addition to that , global conferences and major events related to biodiversity like COP whose targets are to find sustainable solutions to different biodiversity related issues are being postponed . Also , organizations working in conservation are closed for time being and that is also going to have impacts on this sector as no physical activity is getting its pace on field .
The number of Nepalese working in only five countries namely Malaysia , Qatar , Saudi Arabia , United Arab Emirates and Kuwait is over 1.5 million according to Migration in Nepal , 2019 . Let alone the populations living worldwide in other countries than these . Most of them are expected to lose their job during and after crisis and people will return to their homes from foreign countries and cities . They could enter forests for fuel wood purpose , hunt wildlife for easy bush meat or just for enjoyment as their buying capacity declines drastically . Also , many places in the world like India and Indonesia have seen examples of retaliatory killing of wildlife like bats as they are being portrayed as culprits behind virus spread while no reports have proved them to spread any diseases via interaction or faecal matters . Thus , such negative perception might cause deep rooted impact on conservation as Nepal ’ s model is united efforts from managers and general public .
In the light of this pandemic , the VISIT Nepal 2020 campaign has also been halted and as there would be no tourists , the revenue generated in the protected areas are sure to be affected and will have indirect effects on different conservation activities being conducted in protected areas on a regular basis . According to the Ministry of Culture , Tourism and Civil Aviation 2019 , number of foreigners visiting different protected areas were 3 , 95,791 in 2018 which was a major source of income for protected areas as well as adjacent businesses . Thus , revenue and donor based protected areas are not financially sustainable in the times of shocks and it is tough for Nepal to save endangered species . In addition to that , people living in the suburbs of the protected areas for which eco-tourism had been a great source of income are in verge of losing employment due to ceased tourist flow .
Over 8000 professional troops of Nepal Army trained in nature conservation and more than 400 voluntary groups named Community based anti- poaching units ( CBAPUs ) have been now supporting protected areas in Nepal . Also , CBAPUs have not been able to assist in their tasks of patrolling , monitoring poaching , and
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