WWG NEWS

By Navin Singh Khadka BBC Nepali Service 3 July 2007/Big cats have been poached for their pelt and bones Conservationist in Nepal say they are concerned that former Maoist rebels have not yet returned wildlife products they had seized during the nation's 10-year conflict. Wildlife officials are calling for any items taken off poachers and traffickers to be handed over, especially as a number of the Maoist Party leaders are now members of the coalition government. No official records exist of the confiscated animal products, but a number of conservationists say they have documents listing seizures. The Maoist forestry minister said he was not aware of any wrongdoing by party members, but added he would launch an investigation if information was presented of goods being withheld. Lack of records Wildlife Conservation Nepal (WCN), which has been involved in undercover operations to identify poachers and wildlife traffickers, said it has records of an incident that took place in April 2006. "Three people with two tiger skins and three leopard pelts were caught by locals in the southern town of Birgunj, bordering India," said Prasanna Yonjan, the head of WCN. "The three were then handed over to the Maoists' People's Liberation Army, which seized the wildlife contrabands from them but has never returned them to the government." Mr Yonjan added that the three traffickers were freed after lobbying by a poacher who himself was later arrested. Red pandas are among the species being targeted by poachers Another conservationist working for an international organisation in western Nepal said two people that were caught with tiger bones were taken away by Maoists in June 2004. "The two, one of them a retired policeman, were taken to the mountain district Jumla by the Maoists," the conservationist added. "The Maoists later freed the two but the tiger bones were never returned." The Bardia incident was confirmed by a Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation official, who asked not to be named. "Many such incidents took place during the 10-year conflict," said Mangal Man Shakya, head of Wildlife Watch Group, an organisation affiliated to the World Conservation Union (IUCN). "But the Maoists have never returned to the state the wildlife products they had seized. "We have been asking the Maoist leaders to do so but there has been no response." Our party never had the policy of making income through such means Matrika Prasad Yadav, Nepal's forestry minister Forestry Minister Matrika Prasad Yadav, a Maoist leader, told the BBC that he was not aware of any wildlife products seized by party members. "If any organisation or individual provides us information in this regard, I can launch an investigation within our party," he said. Conservation groups suggested that Mr Yadav may not have be aware of the problem because he spent the majority of the decade-long conflict in prison. 'Transit post' One of the Maoist army's deputy commanders, Nanda Kishor Pun, also known as Pasang, acknowledged that seizures had taken place within lower levels of the party. "But that was clearly against our party policy and we hope that this BBC report will help us probe into such issues," he said. Wildlife groups are concerned that an increase in poaching and trafficking has led to a decline in the population of a number of endangered species. Figures from the Department of National Parks show that 150 rhinos have been killed by poachers in the past eight years. Department officials were able to record these deaths because the animals' carcasses were left behind after the horns had been removed. The level of poaching of other endangered species, such as tigers, leopards and red pandas, is much more difficult to track because poachers remove the whole animal. Although there has been no detailed study into the number of animals killed, officials say initial reports show animal sightings in some national parks have gone significantly down. Nepal has 16 protected zones that cover almost 20% of the country's land area. These areas had been protected by the government's army but the Maoist insurgency, which began in 1996, saw many soldiers being redeployed elsewhere to fight the rebels. Maoist leaders have denied any involvement in wildlife poaching or trafficking. "Our party never had the policy of making income through such means," said Minister Yadav. The Maoist Party's youth wing, the Young Communist League, recently won praise from conservationists after its members seized huge amount of red sandal wood that was being smuggled from India to Chinese controlled Tibet via Nepal. Several reports have suggested that Nepal is increasingly becoming a transit point for wildlife trafficking, particularly between India and China.

20 July 2007/ In an effort to highlight illegal wildlife trade in Nepal, WWG in partnership with WWF Nepal, conducted a half day workshop on "Study of Illegal Wildlife Trade and Traders in  Chitwan, Kathmandu and Rasuwa district" on July 20, 2007 in WWG office, Jwagal, Kopundol, Lalitpur.

The workshop was based on the study undertaken by WWG titled "Wildlife Trade and Traders in Chitwan, Kathmandu and Rasuwa" in an effort to understand the poaching of wildlife in the jungles of Chitwan; the illegal markets and its distribution in Kathmandu and its transportation from either India or Tarai to the neighboring country of Tibet and China via Kathmandu.

The objective of the workshop was to;

·         Disseminate the recent study undertaken by WWG on Illegal wildlife trade and traders in Chitwan, Kathmandu  and Rasuwa

·         Discuss strategies towards tackling illegal wildlife trade in Nepal

The workshop was attended by Mr.Shyam Bajimaya-Chief ecologist, DNPWC, Santosh Nepal-Director, World Wildlife Fund Nepal, Devendra Subedi, Supritendent of police, Crime branch, Kathmandu Metropolitan Police and other prominent figures of Conservation. The workshop was also attended by representatives of  DNPWC, NTNC, WWF and journalists representing print and electronic media.

During the workshop, Mr. Shyam Bajimaya  stated that although various studies have been undertaken on illegal wildlife trade in Nepal in the past, these studies havenot been able to correctly identify/pinpoint the people involved in the trade and also stressed a need to correctly identify people involved in wildlife trade so that Nepal Police and other respective bodies can take appropriate action against them. Similarly, Devendra Subedi stated that even though Nepal Police has sufficient human resource, due to the lack of financial resource, Nepal Police havenot been able to mobilize them in the field of wildlife trade. He stressed a coordinated effort of Nepal Police, government bodies and Conservation Organization can lead towards minimizing/controlling illegal wildlife trade in Nepal.

In addition, Santosh Nepal, director of WWF Nepal highlighted WWF Nepal's efforts to focus their program on illegal wildlife trade by undertaking initiatives to minimize the demand of such illegal products in the international markets besides conducting activities at field level to protect threaten species and their habitat as well as anti-poaching activities. Finally, Mangal Man Shakya, Chairman of WWG highlighted past illegal wildlife trade activities in Nepal and hoped the participants of today's workshop would provide their invaluable inputs on study carried out by WWG.

For further questions and comments, please do not hesistate to contact WWG on regards to the workshop.

Kathmandu, June 25, 2007.  A half-day discussion program on “Gharial Conservation in Nepal” was held in Kathmandu and organized by Wildlife Watch Group (WWG), SOS Crocodiles (France) and WWF Nepal. The aim of the workshop was to emphasize conservation of endangered species and discuss strategies towards its conservation.

The workshop was attended by representatives from USAID, UNDP/GEF, Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), WWF Nepal, IUCN, NTNC, BISEP-ST, and conservationists. The program was chaired by Shyam Bajimaya of DNPWC while wife of late Dr Tirtha man Maskey was also invited a special invitee.

Antoine JOSEPH, Program Officer of SOS Crocodiles (France) also presented a proposal developed by SOS Crocodiles, WWG and WWF Nepal on “Gharial Conservation in Nepal”. A short discussion session on the proposal was also organized with invaluable inputs provided by the participants to ensure better approaches and strategies to improve the proposal to the organizers.

The program was an immense success but it also assisted conservationist to understand the need to educate and create awareness for the protection of such key endangered species amongst the donor community.

May 2007/In the world conservation union IUCN's recently concluded 67^th council meeting in Gland, Switzerland, Wildlife Watch Group  (WWG) has been admitted to IUCN as member organization. WWG is among 17 organizations from different parts of the world, which were admitted as members during the council meeting. This has been stated in an official letter to WWG chairman Mangal Man Shakya signed by Jane Ganeau acting head of membership relations and governance of IUCN world headquarters.

In Nepal WWG is 14^th member organization of IUCN. Currently there is one state member, one INGO member and 12 NGO IUCN members in Nepal.

"The admission of Wildlife Watch Group-WWG to the IUCN family has
strengthened the members' network.   WWG has helped a gap in the efforts to
combat and control illegal trade in wildlife and their parts." Said Mr. Ukesh Raj Bhuju chairman of Nepal National Committee of IUCN.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome Wildlife Watch Group as the newest member of IUCN family. I hope that the admission of WWG into our family has come at a time when there is increasing need for integrating the skills and capacities of our members,” Mr. Prabhu Budhathoki, Country Representative of IUCN Nepal said, and expressed the belief that WWG will carry forward the mission and vision of IUCN in Nepal as it has now become part of a collective voice on important issues of our age.

The World Conservation Union is the world’s largest and most important conservation network. The Union brings together 83 States, 110 government agencies, more than 800 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership.

The Union’s mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.

 The Wildlife Watch Group, better known as WWG was established by group of journalists and wildlife experts in October 1993 as informal group who wished to study and monitor issues regarding illegal wildlife trade. In May 2002 it became a full fledge registered NGO in Nepal and is associated with Social Welfare Council (SWC) that focus mainly on wildlife trade related issues in nation and region.

Since its inception, WWG has been instrumental in alerting and educating the public on various wildlife issues. It has also been active in urging and reminding the concerned authorities of their responsibilities towards the protection and conservation of wildlife by implementing CITES regulations. Side by side it is also monitoring the wildlife trade and advocating against illegal trade of wildlife and its products.

Himalayan News Service
Kathmandu, December 31:

No rhinos will be left in the jungles of Nepal in 10 to 20 years if the present rate of rhino-poaching continues, a conservationist said today, even as other wildlife experts stressed the need to focus on efforts aimed at conserving rhinoceros.
“The total number of rhinos killed or died in 2006 must be around 47. One cannot even imagine that such an endangered species is being poached so rampantly. If rhino-poaching continues at this rate, no rhinos will be left in Nepal in the next 10 to 20 years,” said Mangal Man Shakya, chairman of the Wildlife Watch Group (WWG).
According to data made available by different conservation agencies, 29 to 47 rhinos were poached or died in the year 2006. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, the government authority on wildlife affairs, says it does not have an
updated data on rhino-poaching. Nepal was home to over 800 rhinos until 1950, but the number went down to only 60 rhinos in 1960s. Thanks to the government’s conservation efforts and international support, the rhino population reached to 612 by 2000.
According to the statistics of Rhino Count, Nepal sheltered 544 rhinos in 2000 but only 372 were left in 2005.
It took only six years to cut the whole number into 343. A kilo of rhino horn costs Rs 3.5 million in international illegal trade market. Shakya asked, “And if the number of rhinos can go down by half in mere six or seven years, how many years will it take for the rhinos to become extinct here?”
As the poaching continued, the authorities concerned blame conflict, evacuation of security posts or political instability for the dwindling number of rhinos, but the situation worsened even during the post-conflict period.
Chief Executive Officer of Wildlife Conservation Nepal Prasanna Yonzon said, “2006 has been a disaster for rhino conservation.”
The governments have never been serious about arrest poachers, he said, adding that even cabinet decisions help the administration to release convicted criminals. “It will be difficult to conserve rhinos in Nepal if the present rate of poaching continues.”
However, the tragedy of 2006 could be a lesson for future rhino conservation efforts.
Anil Manandhar, country representative of the WWF Nepal, said that the rising poaching incidents we came across in 2006 are indeed a lesson for conservationists. “Rather than working on paper, time has come for the conservationists to focus on actions aimed at conserving rhinoceros.”
 

Kathmandu (TibetNet):Tibetan refugees in Nepal launched a voluntary destruction of endangered animal skins by burning them and pledging not to use or involve in its trading.

This is in solidarity with the work already started in Tibet since the last few weeks, particularly in Amdo, north-eastern part of Tibet. Quiet a lot of skins of rare endangered species and rosary made of elephant tusks were collected and displayed before setting them on fire.

The work was organised by the Dhomey Kyiduk, a social welfare organisation of Tibetans. They said that the work is being carried out to support the existing worldwide environmental movement and to respect the international environmental laws to protect and preserve endangered wildlife species.

All these campaign came after the advice of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to abstain from wearing unnecessary heavy jewels and shun using endangered species product.

This initiative is a blessing in disguise for endangered animals and has been welcomed by environmental and animal groups.

BLACK MARKET
INSIDE THE ENDANGERED SPECIES TRADE IN ASIA

The utilization of wildlife is in practice since prehistoric times when man hunted wild animals for food, clothing, medicines, religious rituals, etc. With the increase in consumption of wildlife parts and derivatives for clothing, medicines, laboratory experiments and adornment, gradually the dealing turned into trade. Asia is one of the regions where wildlife poaching and trading activity is in the peak.

In August 2005, BLACK MARKET, a book reflecting the poaching and trading of the endangered species in Asia , authored by Ben Davis, an environmental journalist from the United Kingdom was published. In the book, vivid portrait, punctuated by gripping images and eyewitness accounts of the trade in endangered species in Asia is found. In deed it is a tale of organized crime and cruel exploitation ranging from Australia to china and of a black market whose tentacles extended from the remote forests and jungles of Asia to the marketing centres of Tokyo , London , Beijing , New York and other world capitals.

WWG had provided support to collect information on the illegal wildlife trade in Nepal to Mr. Patrick Brown, a photo journalist, who had come to Nepal to gather information for the book.

Some extracts from the book about conservation activity in Nepal :

( 99 Chapter three: The Underground Channels )

"The web of intrigue that surrounds the wildlife trade in Nepal extends far beyond the armed rebels, international traffickers, and small-time poachers that flourish in this increasingly lawless kingdom."

"In 1992 a trust operated by the Nepalese Royal family was giving pairs of live rhinos to zoos in various foreign countries in exchange for US$ 250,000 donations. The amount was placed in a numbered bank account at a bank in Kathmandu and not even the Depart of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation knew of its existence. Question remain about whether the money was a gift or a cover up for a major incident of wildlife trafficking."

"A reporter turned wildlife investigator, this generous and warm-hearted man has done much to bring the plight of the country's wildlife to the attention of both the government and conservationists. Mr. Mangal Man Shakya, who is now chairman of the Wildlife Watch Group, has traveled all around the region in a bid to pressure governments to take action to stem the trade."

"When corruption goes all the way to the top, there is nobody left to set an example"

BLACK MARKET is produced by Adam Oswell in cooperation with Earth Aware Editions, CA USA. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the book will be used to develop further awareness of this critical issue facing Asia 's Wildlife.

The producer has requested for assistance in distributing the book worldwide. The producer can be reached at blackmarket@earthware.org

Wise-use House and Nepal Nature.Com organized a program in honor of Dr. Tirtha Man Maskey on 9 January 2006 to recognize his contribution in wildlife conservation in Nepal . Dr. Maskey is one of the pioneers in wildlife conservation in Nepal and is recently retired from his service as the Director General of Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. He has done outstanding contribution in conservation of Gharial in Nepal .

Distinguished personalities in conservation, diplomat, personnel of departments of HMG and journalist were present at the ceremony. The program was organized in coordination of WWG chairman Mangal Man Shakya. Dr. Chandra P. Gurung-country representative of WWF Nepal Program, Karna Shakya-a well known conservationist and famous hotelier Mr. Karna Shakya and Anil Chitrakar-Mentor of Wise-use House delivered the words of appreciation to Dr. Maskey. Dr. Makey was offered a souvenir with appreciation letter during the ceremony. The formal program was adjourned with vote of thanks from Rejendra Suwal , MD of Nepal Nature.Com. Celebration was started with refreshments

Wildlife Trade Issues

In invitation of WWF Nepal Program, WWG chairman Mangal Man Shakya gave a presentation on Wildlife Trade Issues in Nepal at a special presentation program held on 20 th December 2005 . During the program Mr. Shakya presented accounts on the history of wildlife trade in Nepal and in the region, the current status of wildlife trade activities in Nepal with case study examples, trials and networking, illicit wildlife dealers in Nepal . He also highlighted the scenario of wildlife trade in Indo-Nepal trans-border.

On 21 st December 2005 WWF Nepal Program organized a workshop on "Stake holder's Consultation Workshop for the Development of WWF Nepal's Strategic Plan" with objective to obtain stake holder's input to design it's six year (2006 ~ 2011) strategic plan.

WWG representative Mr. Lal Tamang participated the workshop.

Dr. Chandra P. Gurung highlighted about Wise-use House network and its importance in his welcome speech.

To acquire the input of stake holders a group discussion session was held at the second half of the program. WWG participated the species group. Other participants of the group were Dr. K.K. Shrestha, Prof TU, Dr. Tirtha B. Shrestha, DNPWC, Prof. Dr. Karan B. Shah, Natural History Musium, Dr. Ram Preet Yadav, senior well known Conservationist, Mr. Rajendra Suwal, Nature.com, Dr. Sharla Khaling, WWF Nepal and Mr. Anil Manandhar, WWF Nepal

The species group suggested to urge on:

•  Research
•  Partnership
•  Wildlife Trade
•  Livelihood program
•  Data base and access
•  Avoid duplication
•  Involvement of Media sector (produce media programs)
•  Plants
•  Endemic species
•  Tradition

Renowned personalities of conservation sector namely Mr. Karna Shakya, Ram Preet Yadav, Dr. Chandra P. Gurung, Dr. Pralhad Yonjon, Dr. Karan Shah, Dr. K.K. Shrestha, Dr. Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha, Dr. Tirtha Man Maskey, Mr. Anil Chitrakar and other scholors like Dr. Harka Gurung, Bhairab Risal, and representatives of different I/NGOs and government sector were present at the workshop.

Dr. Esmond Martin, a geographer by profession from Kenya arrived in Nepal in 1 st week of January 2006 to appraise the current status of rhino conservation in Nepal . Dr. Martin has been studying the worldwide trade in ivory and rhino horn since the early 1970s and he already has visited Nepal several times in the past. During his recent visit Dr. Martin had scheduled to visit Royal Chitwon National Park and Royal Bardiya National Park . Because of circumstances he visited only RCNP. In his visit to WWG office Dr. Martin acquired data and news on rhinoceros in Nepal .

The results of research done by Dr. Martin with Daniel Stiles from 1999 to 2004 were published in Pachyderm, BBC Wildlife, BBC History, Oryx and in three major monographs. He is currently carrying out research on the supply of unregulated ivory markets and the status of rhino poaching in Africa and Asia .

WWG organized a workshop "Need for Producing Better Dissertation in Master's Thesis in Endangered species of Nepal " f or former and present students of zoology of Tribhuvan University with the objective to highlight the importance of dissertation and research methodology to be used in it.

The specific objectives were:

• To share the experience regarding the process of dissertation
• To find out major difficulties in preparing the dissertation
• To explore possible areas for helping the students to motivate writing better dissertation
• Make a common ground of understanding for dissertation

The workshop held on 2 nd July 2005 was participated by 17 students. It was coordinated by WWG Chairman Mr. Mangal Man Shakya and was facilitated by Dr. Suman Subedi while Mr. Top Bahadur Khatri gave a presentation and Mr. Sahajman Shrestha participated as the resource person.

The workshop was organized finding the dissertation submitted by the students of zoology poor in quality due to misunderstanding and gap of knowledge among the students and the examining body including the department and low motivation of the students for preparing the dissertation "just to pass" the course.

Influence of conflict in conservation: Phase-I

Nepal is a small but rich country in terms of biodiversity due to its unique geographical position and latitudinal variation. Protected area plays a vital role in conservation of biodiversity. In addition, it has been playing one of the major sources of revenue collection in Nepal through the tourists visiting in the protected areas. Nepal, although is small in size, it has contributed remarkably to the conservation of global biodiversity by setting aside more than 19 percent of the country's landmass for perpetual conservation purposes.

Unfortunately, the prolonged armed conflict over the past decade which began with the launch of the Maoist insurgency has influenced the conservation activities adversely. It is necessary to identify the situation of conservation to design and implement further programs effectively. In September 2004 WWG sent journalists to five of the protected areas of Nepal to prepare field report on the influence of conflict in conservation with financial support from the Charge d' Affairs of the Embassy of Finland, Mr. Pauli Mustonen.

The field study was accomplished in the following protected areas:

1. Annapurna Conservation Area
2. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve
3. Khaptad National Park
4. Langtang National Park
5. Makalu Barun National Park and Conservation Area

On the basis of the field report submitted by the assigned journalists and investigative report on influence of conflict by wildlife expert Ukesh Raj Bhuju and Aditya Man Shrestha, WWG published a report "Conflict & Conservation and distributed to the concern organizations and individuals.

Influence of conflict in conservation: Phase-II

Finding the field study carried in five of the protected areas effective on the basis of feed back from concern organizations and individuals, WWG was desirous to continue the field study in other rest of the protected areas of Nepal . With the financial support from the Charge d' Affairs of the Embassy of Finland WWG conducted field study in the ten other protected areas of Nepal by sending journalists.

Before send the journalists to the field an orientation program was held in order to enable the participants know about the study program, importance of conservation, the techniques for field study, norms and values and general information of the concern protected areas.

Following are the protected areas conducted field study and the journalists assigned:

1. Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
Yam Pradhan
Bijay Shantoshi Rai

2. Parsa wildlife Reserve
NK Dahal
Ganesh Chowdhary
Krishna Bhandari
Gopal Tiwari
Jitendra Bajracharya

3. Royal Chitwan National Park
NK Dahal
Ganesh Chowdhary
Krishna Bhandari
Gopal Tiwari
Jitendra Bajracharya

4. Royal Bardia National Park
Shiva Raj Yogi
Prem KC
Sanjay Ghimire

5. Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve
Karn Bohara

6. Shey Phoksundo National Park
Ajay Raj Bam
Puskar Thapa

7. Rara National Park
Kalendra Sijuwal

8. Sagarmatha National Park
Sangeeta Lama

9. Manaslu Conservation Area Project
Bindu Kant Ghimire
KP Gautam

10. Kanchanjungha Conservation Area Project
Ananda Gautam
Mahendra Bista
Chandra Sekhar Karki

11. Shivapuri National Park
Ram Prashad Khanal

So far the field study has been concluded and comprehensive report is being prepared.

WWG with Nepalese Federation of Forest Resource Users' Groups (NEFUG) organized an interaction program to discuss on the Ordinance which His Majesty's Government promulgated on 1 st January 2006 to amend the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (NPWC) 1973. The interaction program was participated by conservationists, journalists, present and former HMG officials, advocates and representatives of organizations dedicated in biodiversity conservation in Nepal .

The Ordinance 2062 (BS) is the Fifth Amendment of NPWC Act 1973, and it has made provision to handover the management of the national parks to the private organizations involving in the nature conservation. Further more it is mentioned that only the institutions which are capable and established by Act are eligible for the above. King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation (KMTNC) is the only such kind of organization and it makes clear that only KMTNC can apply for the management of National Parks and Conservation areas. Hence, the Ordinance has become controversy among the stakeholders. To know the view of stakeholders and for further discussion the interaction program was organized.

The participants expressed their view on the Ordinance and later group discussion was done. Addressing the program former attorney general Mr. Badri Bahadur Karki said that in the name of privatization, the government is encouraging monopolization of national resources, which is going to confine the whole development of wildlife conservation to a limited circumference. Another participant Mr. Ukesh Raj Bhuju, a Conservationist said that the protected areas could be managed either by the state, para-state authority, community, non profit organization or profit organization, but the recent ordinance, as it has come, can bring several problems in the long run. Conservationist at Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Mr. Shyam Bajimaya said that ordinance follows the government's policy of handing over the national parks to NGOs.

Other speakers were Mr. Purnaman Shakya, advocate, and Shiva Gaunle, journalist. The program chaired by Mr. Shankar Mall Thakuri, General Secretary of NEFUG was moderated by Mr. Krishna Prasad Sigdyal, senior environmental journalists while WWG chairman Mr. Mangal Man Shakya had highlighted the program. There are sixteen national parks, conservation areas, wildlife and hunting reserve in Nepal.

Kathmandu , May 13

Wildlife Watch Group (WWG) held it's fourth Annual General Meeting. The AGM took place in its office premises at Wise-use House, Jwagal, Lalitpur in Chairmanship of WWG Chairman Mr. Mangal Man Shakya. Chair of the ceremony Mr. Mangal Man Shakya instigated the meeting welcoming all the executive and general members of the organization.

Secretary of the organization Mr. Krishna Shrestha delivered brief account of program highlights. Likewise Treasurer Mr. Rabin Sayami presented the financial report of the organization.

New executive body was formed under chairmanship of Mr. Mangal Man Shakya. Other executive members are Mr. Rabin Sayami, Vice-Chairman, Mr. Krishna Shrestha, Secretary, Mr. Lal Tamang, Treasurer, Mr. Suresh Manandhar, Mr. Bigyan Pradhan and Mr. Sanjay Ghimire as members. As per the constitution of WWG the term of the executive committee shall be four years.

The Newly elected executive committee members. (From Left to right: Mr. Lal B. Tamang, Mr. Bigyan Pradhan, Mr. Rabin Sayami, Mr. Mangal Man Shakya, Mr. Krishna Shrestha, Mr. Suresh Manandhar and Mr. Sanjay Ghimire)

Lalitpur: May 19

Yarsagumba (Cordyceps sinensis) is a blessed herb for the people of Karnali, the least developed remote zone in Nepal . Also known as Himalayan Gold, it is the main cash generating source for the poor people of Karnali, however they have to bear life threatening risk while collecting it in the high Himalayas. Delivering the detail information on Yarsagumba and its trade, a presentation program has been organized by Wildlife Watch Group (WWG) in association with Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC) and Biodiversity Research and Development Center (BIRD).

The program moderated by WWG chairman Mr. Mangal Man Shakya was followed by presentation of Mr. Rana Bahadur Rawal and Mr. Nagendra Budhathoki. Documentaries on Yarsagumba prepared by Mr. Sam Farmer of BBC and Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources (ANSAB) were screened.

"Yarsagumba 'summer plant winter insect' in Tibetan is a precious herb found only in few territories of Nepal, Tibet and India, which is believed to be started to use as herbal medicine during the Ming Dynasty in thirteen century. It gained popularity in 1993 when Chinese track team set the record breaking" said Mr. Rana Bahadur Rawal, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Expert, who is also the first industrialist starting processing of Yarsagumba in Nepal. According to Mr. Rawal the Yarsagumba, also known as Jeewan Buti is highly nutritious herb with rich contents of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals.

Mr. Nagendra Budhathoki, Nepal representative of Snow Leopard Conservancy, who is also the first exporter of Yarsagumba delivered a presentation on trade of Yarsagumba. "Trade of Yarsagumba in Dolpo started fifteen years ago when local people started to collect it and export to Tibet . Such business used to take place secretly as the government had not permitted for export. Now export of Yarsagumba is legal and annually bulk quantity of yarshagumba is exported to Tibet , Singapore , USA and Japan . Dolpo of Karnali zone is the flourishing area for the Yarsagumba. The Yarsagumba of Dolpo is designated as the best quality but unfortunately it is known as Tibetian Yarsagumba in International market because of lack of branding." mentioned Mr. Budhathoki. Price of one kilo gram Yarsagumba costs Rs. 2,00,000 at present in local market, which was Rs. 5,000 during early days of trade.

"Should the government initiate to build clear and conducive policy environment for production, processing and marketing aspects of Yarsagumba, doubtlessly it can be one of the important income generating resources for Nepal." said Mr. Budhathoki.

Experts, Conservationists and Journalists had participated the program. Focusing on the objective of program WWG Chairman Mr. Mangal Man Shakya said that the main objective of the program is to initiate towards preparation of an exclusive documentary on Yarsagumba.