Minister Shah emphasizes need to promote eco-tourism in conservation areas
Minister Shahi highlighted the growing need for conservation areas to become self-sustaining through increased revenue generation.
KATHMANDU: Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri, has underscored the importance of promoting eco-tourism across conservation areas to enhance livelihoods and generate local income.
Speaking at the inaugural event of the 30th Wildlife Week organized by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation today, Minister Shahi highlighted the growing need for conservation areas to become self-sustaining through increased revenue generation.
“With the rise in wildlife populations, we are also witnessing an increase in human-wildlife conflict and management challenges,” said Minister Shahi. “Addressing these issues requires coordinated efforts not just from the Ministry of Forests but also from all concerned stakeholders.”
Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Deepak Kumar Kharal, praised the department’s effective role in conservation so far and stressed the need to focus on mitigating human-wildlife conflict moving forward.
He also suggested that fostering a sense of ownership and a unified understanding of conservation among local communities is crucial.
Director General of the Department, Dr. Ram Chandra Kandel, acknowledged the success in increasing wildlife numbers but warned that protecting these achievements would require collective action to overcome emerging challenges.
He added that the Wildlife Week celebration plays a vital role in raising public awareness about conservation.
Other speakers at the program, including Deputy Director General Bed Kumar Dhakal, Senior Ecologist Haribhadra Acharya, President of the Forest Technicians Association Dr. Rakesh Karn, Director of the National Trust for Nature Conservation Dr. Chiranjibi Prasad Pokharel, Deputy Director General of the Department of Forests and Soil Conservation Ajit Kumar Karn, and Dr. Dinesh Neupane from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Nepal, all emphasized that human-wildlife conflict remains a pressing issue that demands collective commitment and strategic solutions.
