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KATHMANDU, MARCH 13
Wildlife conservation refers to maintaining plant and animal species and their habitats to ensure their survival and teach people how to live in harmony with other species. It is essential to protect wildlife because wildlife and wilderness play an important role in maintaining the ecological balance and contribute to human well-being.
Wildlife and forests are a measure of our biodiversity. In Nepal, a network of protected areas covers about 23.39 percent of the total land area. Nepal ranked 25th and 11th in terms of biodiversity richness in the world and Asia, respectively.
The country is home to 118 ecosystems and 35 different forest types, which harbour precious wildlife.
Over the past few decades, the country has faced several challenges in preserving the biodiversity.
The natural habitat of both plants and animals is being destroyed by increasing deforestation, overexploitation, agricultural expansion, poor law enforcement and lack of management practices. Likewise, forest encroachment, habitat fragmentation, unsustainable use of natural resources, the spread of invasive species, climate change, human-wildlife conflict and illegal trade of animals.
Protected areas greatly contribute to the inflow of foreign exchange and increasing the GDP of the country. There are many other people employed in wildlife-based ventures, such as those supplying fishing gear, binoculars for bird watching, wildlife recreational equipment, porters, tour guides, drivers and mahouts.
Many animal and plant species actually represent the cultural backbone of the local community. People who live close to the natural environment and wildlife are found to be more active, emotionally strong and physically healthy.
For people who love nature and want to experience nature in its most pristine form, wildlife is essential. Forests also make excellent retreats from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Wildlife plays a significant role in keeping the environment clean and healthy. Many microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and earthworms feed on plant and animal wastes, decomposing them and releasing their chemicals back into the soil replenishing them with nutrients.
Various pollinating agents like birds, bats and bees help in increasing the productivity of plants. Conserving wildlife plays a great role in ensuring a check on the ecological balance, thereby maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Scientists and researchers are working to preserve plants and animals through gene banks. These gene banks are a storehouse of cells and tissues of wildlife species that play an important role in agriculture and farming.
A version of this article appears in the print on March 14, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
