National Trust for Nature Conservation

Conserving tigers (Panthera tigris) in human-dominated landscapes requires careful management of human-tiger conflict. Tiger attacks on human are the extreme form of conflict occurring primarily during livelihood activities in the Terai arc landscape of Nepal. We assessed spatio-temporal patterns of tiger attacks on human and factors associated with human fatality due to attacks. We collected human tiger conflict data from the government authorities, primarily national park offices and division forest offices. We interviewed 245 victims or family members attacked by tigers between 2010 and 2024 using a semi-structured questionnaire. Most tiger attacks on human (>90%) occurred inside forest areas and over half were fatal. Men were attacked more frequently (65.3%) but fatality was higher among women (>70%). Majority of the victims (93%) were illiterate or had a low level of education and 62% were hill migrants while indigenous Terai peoples were less frequently (27%) attacked. Large number of the tiger attacks occurred during resource collection from forests or livestock herding. The victim’s group size, sex and posture during the tiger attacks affected human fatality. Tiger attack can be minimized by applying adaptive management of buffer zone and corridor forests, adopting safety protocols through behavior change campaigns, promoting alternative livelihoods and tiger tourism, and proactive management of conflict-causing tigers. The finding of this research has long term implications to strengthen human-tiger coexistence in human-dominated landscapes in Nepal and elsewhere. Keywords: Tiger attack, Human-tiger-conflict, Co-existence, Terai-arc-landscape, Nepal

Human-wildlife conflict is increasing at an alarming rate despite government efforts and local community support, posing a threat to both humans and wildlife species. Relief support for people affected by wildlife induced damage is a widely applied post-conflict mitigation approach. We reviewed relief provisions from government (policies, act, regulation, directives and five-year plan) and non-government organisations, including CBD, FAO, IUCN, and relevant peer-reviewed articles. The relief program was initiated through the Buffer Zone program at periphery of Chitwan National Park. The Buffer Zone Management Committee of Chitwan formed under ‘Buffer Zone Management Regulations, 1996, piloted a relief distribution practice in 1998 for wildlife damage using the 50% of the park’s revenue provided to buffer zone as per the regulations. This relief provision was designed as a compassionate measure to secure local community support for protected area management, offering cash support for losses of livestock, crops or in cases of human casualties. The Government established a legal mechanism of relief support payments to victims for wildlife caused damage through the Directive related to distribution of relief for wildlife caused damage 2009 under the provision of the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973, and its Regulations 1975. By incorporating one and half decades of lessons learnt, the most recent Directive was formulated in 2023 to provide relief support for damage caused by 16 wildlife species. Such a provision reduces economic risks to surrounding communities and is expected to minimize retaliatory killings of wildlife. The high number of human-wildlife conflict cases demands substantial financial resources, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of such relief programs. This has prompted the exploration of alternative measures to minimize human wildlife conflict, including endowment funds and crop and livestock insurance.

Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) are responsible for severe damage to ecosystems, causing huge economic loss. It has been considered that the IAPS are comparatively less damaged by herbivores and pathogens in the invaded range. This study assessed the effects of herbivore and pathogen damage (biotic damage) on the common IAPS, Ageratina adenophora, Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, and Parthenium hysterophorus in the Chobhar area of Kathmandu, Nepal. Additionally, the density, frequency, and coverage of these IAPS were compared across different land-use types, such as fallow land, forest, and roadside, along the northern and southern aspects. A negative relationship was observed between B. pilosa and A. adenophora, as well as P. hysterophorus, suggesting competition for light resources, where one species reduced the cover of the other. Biotic damage differed across land-use types, with B. pilosa experiencing less damage in forest and P. hysterophorus more damage along road verges, indicating habitat-specific activities of herbivores and pathogens.

This study compared the effectiveness of CIDR (Controlled Internal Drug Release)-PGF2α protocol in terms of the duration of CIDR placement for the treatment of anestrus in buffaloes during low breeding season. Anestrous Murrah-cross buffaloes were randomly assigned to two Treatment groups. In Group 1 (T1, n = 15), a CIDR was inserted intravaginally for 7 days, while in Group 2 (T2, n = 15), the CIDR was inserted for 9 days. Each buffalo in both groups received an injection of a PGF2α analogue, cloprostenol (500 μg), 24 h before CIDR removal. Artificial insemination (AI) was performed twice, at 60 and 72 h after CIDR removal. Ovarian cyclicity status during CIDR insertion and the size of the corpus luteum (CL) on 7th day after AI were assessed using transrectal ultrasonography. Body condition score (BCS), endoparasitic infection, anemic score, suckling status and lactation stage were recorded. Pregnancy was diagnosed two months after AI. No significant differences were found between two Treatment groups regarding estrus induction, ovulation and pregnancy outcomes. The overall estrus induction, ovulation and pregnancy rates were 81%, 93% and 26%, respectively. The ovarian cyclicity status at CIDR insertion affected the ovulation and pregnancy outcome. Additionally, the size of CL one week after AI had an influence on pregnancy outcome (P=0.03). In conclusion, the ovarian status at CIDR insertion and the CL size one week after AI, but not the duration of CIDR placement, influenced the success of CIDR-PGF2α protocol in treating anestrus in buffaloes during low breeding season.

Nepal first submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDC) in 2016 under the Paris Agreement (PA) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are climate action plans that a country commits to at the international level to address climate change. The implementation of country’s NDCs and the achievement of its goals are growing concerns among policymakers and negotiators. We review and analyze Nepal’s NDCs trajectory by comparing four key submissions: the INDC (February 11, 2016), the first NDC (October 5, 2016), second NDC (December 8, 2020) and the NDC3.0 (May 19, 2025). A systematic comparative analysis of the NDCs of Nepal shows a progressive increase in its ambition, sectoral coverage, quantification of mitigation targets, integrating adaptation strategies, stakeholder involvement, budget size, and transparency, but challenges remain in terms of its implementation capacity, financing, and long-term sustainability. This article provides a summary into Nepal’s climate commitments for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners.

Salt licks are naturally occurring spots vital to numerous wildlife species worldwide. This study aimed to examine the use of natural salt licks by wild animals inside Bardia National Park (BNP), Nepal. Five camera traps were installed at five selected salt licks for a period of 18 days. A total 6 families and 10 species, were recorded at the salt lick sites were recorded during the investigation. The sites, Baghaura A and Baghaura C emerged as the most diverse salt licks in terms of species richness. The Shannon-Weiner diversity index was highest at Baghaura C, while the species evenness index was also highest there and lowest at Patthar Bandha South. The Simpson diversity index was highest in Patthar Bandha South and lowest at Baghaura B. Spotted deer, followed by rhino, were the most frequent visitors with the highest Capture Frequency (CF) and Relative Abundance Index (RAI). Carnivores and omnivores were least abundant. Temporal activity pattern was varied with species and habitat, with maximum activity during the day. The soil analysis also showed the highest pH and exchangeable sodium at Patthar Bandha South and the lowest at Baghaura A. Among the five identified threats, Habitat destruction and human interference were identified as the most severe threats. Disease transmission and poisoning ranked high and medium threats, respectively. Therefore, this study provides science-based evidence for the protection of salt lick sites for effective wildlife management in Bardia National Park, Nepal.

Being medium-sized mammals, deer species (Cervidae) are expected to feed on relatively nutritious plant species. Variation in plant apparency (i.e., relative cover), plant growth form and vegetation type may further influence deer foraging behaviour.

The crucial role of coastal wetlands supporting diverse terrestrial wildlife is often asserted but has not been demonstrated in broad-scale field evaluations; a comprehensive assessment of wildlife use of these vital habitats is therefore needed. Our

Combating illegal wildlife trade is a global conservation priority; yet, how social factors contribute to wildlife trade-especially of plants, including orchids-remains poorly understood. Here, we conducted in-person interviews with local people to explore their knowledge, perceptions, and socioeconomic factors associated with orchid trade. Generalized linear mixed models revealed that economic status, education, employment, occupation, perception, and knowledge were important factors influencing involvementin orchid trade. People who recognized orchids and engaged in farming were more likely to be involved in orchid trade. Conversely, those with sufficient food, employment, higher education, and perception that orchids are economically insignificant, were less likely to participate in orchid trade. These findings have implications for developing frameworks to address illegal trade oforchid and other taxa, especially in countries with shared ecological contexts where distribution of highly traded species often overlaps. This research recommends incorporation ofsocial factors into effective conservation strategies.