KATHMANDU, JULY 11

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has directed the authorities concerned to introduce effective programmes in a bid to curb wildlife-human conflict.

Speaking at the 7th meeting of the National Tiger Conservation Committee held at the prime minister's official residence in Baluwatar yesterday, he said special attention should be paid to protect tigers in order to preserve the life cycle. The PM emphasised the need to prevent poaching of tigers and protecting people living near tiger habitats. 'Food for the tigers must be ensured in the protected areas, only then will they get to eat without any foul play,' he said.

The PM also called for a study to determine the number of tigers in the mountain, hill and Tarai and to know their status. 'Necessary policy should be adopted to ensure that development and construction works do not affect wildlife,' he said.

'Nepal has realised the decision taken by the St Petersburg conference to double the population of tigers,' he said.

Likewise, plans to continue special programmes for tiger conservation in the future were discussed in the meeting. Decisions to garner more resources, set up wildlife hospital and rescue centres, and expand the habitat of tigers and amend related guidelines and directives were also taken.

A version of this article appears in the print on July 12 2021, of The Himalayan Times.