KATHMANDU, AUGUST 22

Nepal's frontline forest rangers have received a major boost in their fight against wildlife crime with the handover of over 7,120 essential field gear and equipment under the U.S.-funded Combat Wildlife Trafficking in Nepal Project.

The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) handed the equipment to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) at a ceremony held at NTNC's Biodiversity Conservation Center in Chitwan.

The items, valued at over Rs 71.2 million (USD 547,721), include 1,468 sets of tactical shirts, pants, field shoes, headlamps, and bags, along with 50 cameras, 50 medical kits, 30 GPS units, 800 Swiss knives, and searchlights, all aimed at strengthening field operations in difficult conditions.

The event was attended by DNPWC Director General Dr. Ramchandra Kandel, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Jason P. Meeks, INL Regional Director for South Asia Marcy S. Brown, and senior officials from the U.S. Embassy, NTNC, and Chitwan National Park.

Speaking at the ceremony, Meeks reaffirmed U.S. commitment to supporting Nepal's conservation efforts, highlighting the long-standing partnership between the two countries. Dr. Kandel said the new field gear would greatly assist staff working in remote and challenging terrains.

NTNC Member Secretary Dr. Naresh Subedi noted the continuous U.S. support since NTNC's establishment, while Senior Conservation Officer Ambika Prasad Khatiwada highlighted the project's role in strengthening wildlife crime investigations. To date, the initiative has facilitated 127 district-level coordination meetings involving 3,175 officers nationwide.

As part of the same program, NTNC also handed over medical kits, GPS units, binoculars, cameras, searchlights, laptops, and walkie-talkies worth Rs 388,857 to the Mirgakunja Community-Based Anti-Poaching Unit (CBPAU) of Chitwan. NTNC said it plans to extend similar support to 10 community-based units across Nepal.

The project, funded by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), aims to enhance anti-poaching patrols, strengthen monitoring, and promote community-based wildlife protection.