Trans-boundary Efforts to Conserve Nepal Tigers
The primary threat in tiger conservation in Nepal is poaching and habitat loss, says premier Madhav Nepal.
I am pleased to have an opportunity to attend the Kathmandu Global Tiger Workshop-2009 and share opinions with experts who have come to Kathmandu with common objectives of assessing the present level of conservation and devising new strategies and urgent actions to stop the alarmingly downward trend of tiger population. It is appalling that an iconic animal of great significance both culturally and religiously across Asia is in such a precarious situation. I would also like to extend a very warm welcome to you all in Nepal.
All of you are aware that Nepal is currently passing through a transitional political stage and moving ahead keeping uppermost the spirit of people's movement and aspirations of our people for peace, stability and progress. The Government of Nepal is seriously engaged in taking the ongoing peace process to a positive and meaningful conclusion, writing a new democratic constitution within the stipulated time-frame, and meeting the rising aspirations of the Nepali people for rapid social and economic transformation. The Government is committed to achieve these lofty goals through political consensus, consultations and dialogue on the part of political forces in the country.
Nepal is one of the very few countries endowed with multifarious biological resources. I am delighted to note that the Government of Nepal has taken many important steps to conserve its rich biological diversity. Organized efforts began in early 1970s with a focus on endangered species and establishment of protected area network to conserve and manage representative ecosystems and their elements. The Government has introduced timely changes and improvements in its policies and laws to strengthen our conservation initiatives in consultation and co-operation with national and international organizations and local communities.
Nepal shares with other tiger range states many of the challenges, concerns and opportunities in the field of securing effective conservation of biodiversity and natural heritage. We have spearheaded community management of certain forests and buffer zones around protected areas in our country to ensure long-term management, sustenance and protection of our unique biodiversity. In our periodic national plans, we have emphasised on the importance of conservation of rare and endangered species. In view of various challenges in the way of our conservation efforts, we seek to reinforce and intensify conservation measures with support from our national organisations and international community. The Government is committed to the conservation of Nepal’s biological resources and strengthen trans-boundary cooperation with neighbouring countries.
Despite our solemn pledge and unanimous commitment to take up further measures towards conservation of this precious animal, we have to acknowledge the stark reality of various threats that have seriously confronted the tiger population, its prey base and habitat in our region. Besides, there is a looming threat of adverse consequences of global impact of climate change on our fragile environment. The dwindling tiger population and increasing rate of depletion of its habitat range and surrounding landscape warrant immediate strategic and bold actions. Despite our concerted efforts taken during the last three decades or so, tigers still face threats of survival. The primary threat in tiger conservation is poaching and habitat loss. Apart from other problems, our efforts in pursuing sustained environmental conservation strategy have also been challenged by extreme poverty.
While solutions towards conservation may be area specific, the viability of conservation will primarily depend on how we act collectively and try to tie up tiger conservation and overall biodiversity measures with the livelihoods of local communities. In order to ensure the recovery of endangered species like tigers and a healthy ecosystem for the welfare of human society, there is no better alternative than to initiate joint efforts on our part. Global and regional solidarity and collective strategies armed with concrete actions are more necessary now than ever before to address these daunting challenges. We need to take quick measures to protect these species from extinction. In this context, I understand that the challenges before this workshop are how to devise workable solutions that benefit both nature and people.
I would like to reiterate here that the Government of Nepal is firmly committed to the cause of conservation of this unique species and its habitat. We need international support, your expert advice and good wishes to make our efforts more fruitful. As this event has provided a forum to assemble governmental, inter-governmental and non-governmental bodies as well as development and partner organizations together to discuss such an important issue, I am confident that your deliberations will certainly add a much-needed impetus in the course of better promoting conservation measures on a collective scale.
On this occasion, I feel that it is pertinent to share with you our ongoing initiatives for setting up effective trans-boundary cooperation with our neighbouring countries with a view to better ensuring trans-boundary conservation and efficient law enforcement mechanism. Moreover, we are now in the process of having high level mechanisms for National Tiger Conservation Authority and Wildlife Crime Control Coordination Committee. We are confident that the establishment of these bodies will have a favourable impact on halting trafficking of wild animals and their body parts.
I would like to assure you that we are determined to further accelerate our efforts and initiatives at central, regional and field levels to conserve our rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. I strongly believe that international solidarity will be crucial in this venture. We may need to take a wide range of collective and prioritized actions for ensuring success of our strategy, including focus on increased investments in the field of conservation from respective governments and the donor community.
Working together, we are sure that we will reach our common destination. I am confident that this eminent gathering will provide a suitable platform to share our concerns and we must use this important forum to draw attention of the world community to guarantee a better future for tigers and other endangered species. On behalf of the Government of Nepal, the Nepali people and myself, I wish to thank everyone who has helped us in the past in this endeavour and expect your continued support and co-operation in the common task of conserving our unique natural heritage.
I am confident that the Kathmandu Global Tiger Workshop-2009 will mark a turning point in tiger conservation leading to the Tiger Summit in the upcoming Year of the Tiger. Finally, I would like to re-affirm our strong commitment to conservation of tigers and other endangered species and concerted efforts in implementation.
I would also like to thank the organizers, co-sponsors, and conservation partners for making this programme a success.
Let us all be together to make the planet a better and safer place for tigers, the pride of Asia.
Thank you.
Address by premier Madhav Kumar Nepal at the Opening of the Kathmandu Global Tiger Workshop 2009, Kathmandu, 27 October, 2009.
Related Links
> Kathmandu Global Tiger Workshop
> Remarks by Minister Deepak Bohora
> Nepal tiger stats, from GTI
> YouTube video
####
Posted by Editor on October 27, 2009 09:28 PM