Nepal will have shining dawn on nature conservation
!!
(Dr. Mukesh K. Chalise, a reputed biodiversity scientist of
Nepal specially on mammals and primates has affiliated with Central Department
of Zoology, Kirtipur, Tribhuvan University. Dr. Chalise has been in University
of Washington, Seattle as Fulbright Fellow, George August University, Gottingen
Germany as DAAD Fellow for academic and research. Hiscollaboration with Mizoram
University, Kunming Institute of Zoology and Kyoto University has already
produced four PhD and some are underway. DrChalisehas been honored for his
skillful exploration in Nepal with several fellowships such as Martha J.
Galante Conservation Fellow, Conservation Fellow, and Linnaean Society Fellow
and received several research grants for the wildlife study in Nepal. Served
more than three decades on the education system of Nepal, Dr. Chalise has
travelled all five continents of world and invited by the renowned universities
for biodiversity lectures, conferences, workshops and to serve as mentor of
young scientists. Below is a short script of his conversation- editor).
·
Namaskar ! Would you spare sometime
with us despite your busy schedule ? How busy are you,currently ?
Namaskar ! Well, always there is something to do. If you are
interested on biodiversity, then there will be no time for other activities. You
are within the biodiversity in Nepal, even some time, Saturdays are also not
holidays. Despite golden opportunities of honor and status, I returned from
abroad to work in my own country, so how could I take rest ! Wildlife in our
nature has been less explored so always new and amazing circumstances are
happening. No chances of leisure time, what a fun, loving to nature !
·
We know, you have studied and acquired
info from all ecosystems and theirs’ biodiversity in Nepal. How you like to
introduce the biodiversity of Nepal specially wildlife ? What are the
significances of Nepal biodiversity globally ?
Yes, I have done study/research tour of Nepal from Mechi to
Mahakali and from Tarai to Himalaya of respective zones. I donot think I missed
any ecosystem, subtropical Tarai forest to alpine grassland and hot sandy flood
plain to trans Himalayan cold desert and nival zone. Mid mountains are always
curious to me as a juncture of north and south.
During the arduous field studies, I have been recording
several new facts and evidences that have never thought for Nepal. There was no
record of hyenas east of bagmati River, I recorded it with infants during 2000
in Lalgadh, Dhanusha area and wrote about it. People doubt on my findings, but
I continue the study and after sixteen years, my assistant Sivishcaptured its
photos in Bardibas, Mahottari area adjacent to my previous records.
Biodiversity experts (?) say no Binturong species in Nepal, I recorded its
presence in Ghodaghodi Tal area during 1998. Actually I saw a skin of it and possessor
saysit’s asBhaluBiralo. Assamese monkeys are globally accepted presence between
600-1800masl, and I recorded it between 380-2250masl before, and break my own previous
record, recording them this year (2016) outside the Churiya range around 160
masl and highest around 2500masl in Nepal.
In social systems, wildlife population compose of pair group,
one breeding male and several breeding female group, many breeding male and
female group and sometime male bands. No any records of such phenomenon
explored for Nepal. I was interested for male bands. I found there are male
bands not only in monkey troops but also in Blackbuck, wild water buffalo and
in spotted deer. Astonishingly, I have recorded not only twins but triplets and
quadruplets rhesus in Nepal and photographed. It is appreciated by Late
Prof.Ramon Rhine, Conservation Chair California University, Late Prof. Charles
H. Southwick, Colorado University and also by Prof. Irwin Bernstein, University
of Georgia. Those scientistsresponded me saying it is unique in wild rhesus
where one infants are common not more.
In Nepal from east to west, I have recorded brown and mixed
gray wild pigs while far-west consists of total black with bluish tail bearing
varieties. The morphological differences in barking deer, ghoral, hog deer with
its fur color are recognized latitudinal and longitudinally. I have spotted and
made first reporting of snow leopard from Langtang region and also captured
photos of Serow from Shivapuri area which was never thought of its presence.
So, many unique lives are present in Nepal !Needs a
systematic exploration and recording. The wildlife presence here are basically
same as our neighboring countries, but extra-ordinary situation is Nepal’s
position and topography that is reflected on its diverse forms and evolution of
flora and fauna in a short distance. Presence of Simal tree is common here in
one slope while rhododendron in opposite mountains, Sal tree has been reduced
its girth size but found even in inner mountain valleys. Wild fauna (animals
and birds) like Spotted deer, Sambhar, rhesus monkeys, common leopard,
mongoose, porcupine and even hyenas and also peacock, partridge, parakeets in
inner valleys of the Himalayas are common but very unique phenomenon plays a
role to the adaptabilities of species in different level. Such attendance of
animal composition must have triggered to the formation of new species ! Nepal
could be good ground of evolution as its Churia range is prime site of origin
of several species that was accepted longtime ago. So, we needs untiring
efforts of exploration ! Isn’t it ?
·
Nepal is such a country of wonderful
possession of biodiversity, however, very less works to globalize it. What may
be the reasons ?
Our biodiversity has been treated as Blue Moon. Until and
unless we expose our hidden treasures who will cares ? There is no difference
whether there is something or not, if you donot explore and publish it. What is
use of unknown wealth ? May be we are trekking above the diamond mines or gold
or petroleum well, who knows ! If we donot explore and publicize, it is just a
dirt or soil, that’s it.
The resources which are useful to daily life or which can
create income generation should be widely farmed and commercialized. Once,
there was a working policy for wildlife farming, breeding and research but was
sacked by some of the nonscientific and corrupted power holders as it was going
to benefit common people of Nepal. Those resource which are scarce or rare should
be conserved and use them for income generation from tourism and knowledge
sharing without using it as commodity, just observation. The less publicity of
such items and very orthodox conservation mentality of concern institution
behaved the natural resources also for preservation ! What a stupid
implementation ideas of conservation ! I feel shame to those who behave and
think like that. If people will be empowered for wildlife farming and income
generation then there will be no hassle for conservation. People themselves
take care and guard the wildlife and biodiversity of their area. No need of
security staff and management, only need some facilitators to advise them
scientifically.
·
Do you have foreseen the
possibilities of biodiversity trekking or tourism in Nepal ? What will be role
of government to promote it if feasible ?
I think tourism in Nepal is basically relying on
biodiversity trekking. Tourists visit Nepal for the peaceful nature observation
that can be come across within a short distance travelling. It is as true as
that. What else ? However, I donot know why government and private sectors
openly donot emphasize and say the fact. The current scenario of federalism
also disrupts the settings of previous nature trek options and confused
everybody. Nobody knows whether in each federal state would have different
rules or there will be single national rules in this sector.
Let us discuss what will be the attraction of tourists and
would observe if we accept previous political and admin settings of zones. A
tourist can observe in one span from Tarai hot and subtropical elements to mid
mountains and the Himalayan range if we go like follows. For example:
Travelling from Suklaphanta to Dadeldhura and then Darchula and Apinampa
Conservation area; Lumbini to TamghasResunga and then Baglung to Annapurna
range and Muktinath; ThoriChitwan to GorkhaTrisuli,Gosainkunda and Kerung; KoshiTappu
to BarahChhettra,Tumlingtar and then Makalu and Popti pass, Kechana,Jhapa to
Ilam,Panchthar and Kanchenjungha.
Such trekking
routes will cover all biogeographical elements of nature within a short span of
150-200 km. It will be a great attraction and fun to anybody trekking such way
!They can see animals and plants of diverse shape and size; such as,Jungle
fowl, peacock, Tarai Langurs, deer, rhino, elephant, tiger, wild buffalo gaur, leopard,
assamese monkeys, Himalayan Langurs, Kaliz, ghoral, Himalayan Thar, Blue sheep,
Red panda, pheasants, musk deer, snow leopard in one span. Is not such trekking
will be wonderful for nature lovers ?
Peoples’ level initiative
will lead a successful implementation of conservation program if allowed for
farming and breeding and income generation from wildlife and aromatic and
medicinal plants in buffer zone areas as well as private lands. People will be
benefited by such scheme so they also take care their wilder areas and
biodiversity for the promotion of tourism.
·
You
are an expert on biodiversity and nature lover. More than three decades you
sacrificed for its research. What will be your suggestion and expectation from
the Nepal government in this sector ?
The conservation
theories should be understood as it explains not by your bias or prejudice
mentality. In Nepal, most of the cases of over exploitation of natural
resources experienced by the resourceful and government allies not by general
public and layman. Therefore, need a peoples’ oriented thinking in implementers
and managers of resources. Just relying to funding agencies and INGOs, Nepal
will not prosper, it will move forward economically and ethically by the sole
effort of people and patriotic implementers and policy makers. By that day,
Nepal will have shining dawn on nature conservation and enrichment of status of
people. Such feelings, rules and regulation will enhance real conservation;
means sustainable use of natural resources, that we wanted since so long. Let
us hope.
©
``
Among the three Durbar Squares, the Bhaktapur Durbar Square
is by far the most elegant with its large open space facing south. The Golden
Gate and the palace of 55 carved windows have added splendor to this palace
square which consists of buildings sating from the 13th century to
18th century. Bhaktapur's
landmark is the world famous five-tiered Nyatapola, or five-storeyed temple, built
in 1702 at Taumadhi Square. Bhaktapur is a living museum of arts and
architecture. Each and every piece of art speaks of the city's history. The
monuments and sculptures reflects reflect centuries-odd craftsmanship. The city
has suffered much from earthquakes, especially those of 1808, 1833, and 1934.
These earthqueks caused extensive damage to its ancient buildings. Yet ,
Despite the destruction, the external appearance of the city does not seem to
have changed much. Temples and monuments have been restored and preserved.
Dilapidated buildings have been restored and preserved .Dilapidated buildings
have been rebuilt or renovated in their original form. So the basic structure
of the town is intact.
