Conservation of wild flora and fauna
Twenty-six mammal species, nine bird species and three reptile species have been fully protected under National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029. Altogether, 27 mammal species, 22 bird species and 9 reptile species are listed in IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. There is also a high degree of endemism in Nepal. The most notable fauna among endangered species are The Greater One Horned Rhinoceros, Royal Bengal Tiger, Asian Elephant, Snow Leopard, Arna, Musk Deer, Red Panda, Black buck, Swamp deer, Gaur, Gharial and Dolphin. Periodic species survey/count, research, studies and monitoring, anti-poaching operations, mobilization of Nepal Army in protection of parks/reserves, community based anti poaching activities, strict law enforcement are some of the noticeable activities implemented by DNPWC. The Department has prepared and implementing One horned rhinoceros conservation action plan (2006-2010), Tiger Conservation action plan (2008-2012) and Snow leopard conservation action plan (2004-2009). The preparation of species action plan for elephant, vulture, blackbuck, swamp deer, gaur is underway.
The results of periodic wildlife monitoring showed a considerable achievement in maintaining/increasing wildlife populations. Rhino count 2008 in Chitwan National Park, Bardia National Park, Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve resulted 435 individuals, Tiger monitoring 2009 in Terai Arc Landscape tallied 121 adult breeding tigers, Gaur count 2008 in Parsa Wildlife Reserve showed 37 individuals, Gharial Crocodile monitoring in major river systems of lowland Nepal reported 81 individuals, and Arna count 2009 in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve recorded 219 individuals.
The Department has started captive breeding program of crocodile in 1978 and each year collecting eggs, rearing them in captivity and release of youngs into natural habitat in major river systems of Nepal. At present, there are two crocodile breeding centers in operation in Nepal (Chitwan National Park and Bardia National Park). Till now, more than 708 individuals of Gharial and 164 Mugger crocodiles have been released in the Narayani and other different major river system of Nepal. Moreover, Department has been managing Elephant Breeding Centre in Khorsor, Chitwan National Park. Similarly, Deer research center in Godawari is managed by Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park under the Department. Vulture breeding centre and orphanage centre are in place at Chitwan National Park. Government of Nepal has organized and hosted important national, regional and international workshops/meetings related to species conservation. The department has also played a lead role to foster transborder cooperation with India and Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
