Towards this end, the three sides have initiated a regional dialogue in Siliguri with an aim to promote human-wildlife interface in KL, under the aegis of the Directorate of Forest, Government of West Bengal and International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

The new initiative was set in the background of growing human-wildlife conflict, increasing wildlife-related crimes and harm to endangered species, as a means to address concerns and strengthen conservation mechanism.

India, Bhutan and Nepal share the Kanchenjunga Landscape (KL). Out of the total KL area of 25,086 sq.km., India has 14,127 sq.km share, followed by 5834 sq.km of Bhutan and 5125 sq.km of Nepal.

The Regional Policy Dialogue is currently underway in Siliguri from December 9 and will continue up to December 13, 2018.

“The representatives of the three countries are holding threadbare discussions to draw up ways and means of mitigating these problems. The measures will be both short term and long term,” says Soumitra Das Gupta, Inspector General, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India.

The Bhutan delegation to the meeting is led by Chief Forestry Officer Tashi Tobgyel, while Gopal Prakash Bhattarai, Deputy Director General, National Park and Wildlife Conservation of Nepal is heading the Nepali delegation.

Besides, various other NGOs and police are also taking part in the workshop.

“Conservation of wildlife, reducing human-wildlife conflict and ending wildlife related crime has to be a well-coordinated effort between the member countries,” adds Animesh Basu of Himalayan Nature and Adventure Foundation, an NGO.

The Background
The three countries formed a 21-member joint research team, who embarked on a landscape journey during December 4-8, 2018 to different pilot sites of the three countries.

In interactions with the local administration and communities, the officials studied issues pertaining to human-elephant conflict and mitigation measures being practiced.

The dialogue and workshop is aimed at understanding regional, bilateral and local issues related to human-wildlife conflicts and wildlife crimes based on which options for addressing these issues will be identified.

This followed the formation of a regional dialogue to lay a clear road map for action points to achieve transboundary cooperation for addressing the human-wildlife conflict and wildlife-related crimes in KL.

South Asia’s Biodiversity Hotspot
Kanchenjunga Landscape is a biodiversity hotspot with around 7 million human population.

While the region has 169 varieties of mammals and 713 birds species, around 20 species of mammals and 23 species of birds are facing global threat.

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With a good number of wildlife reserves like Parsa Wildlife Reserve, the largest among others such as Chitwan National Park, Nepal tourism has a wide range of options for nature and animal lovers.

Extending up to Hetauda-Birgunj highway in the east, surrounded by the Chitwan National Park in the west, the Rapti River and Siwalik Hills in the north and thick forest cover in the south, Parsa Wildlife Reserve is spread across a total area of 637.37 sq. km..

Covering three different districts- Parsa, Makwanpur and Bara, the reserve lies in the protected area of the Inner Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal.

What Makes Parsa Attractive?

Parsa protected area is home to an estimated 919 species of flora including 298 vascular plants, 234 dicots, 58 monocots, five pteridophytes and one gymnosperm.

When it comes to fauna, the reserve hosts a good number of endangered species including more than 19 Bengal Tigers, 37 gaurs, wild sloth bears, Asian elephants, sambar, leopards, blue bulls, chitals, hog and barding deers, langurs, rhesus macaques, striped hyenas, jungle cats and Palm civets, among others. The reserve offers a special jungle safari to the visitors.

The reserve is also habitat for more than 500 bird species such as white-breasted kingfishers, paradise flycatchers, large racquet-tailed drongos and golden-backed woodpeckers, among others.

Reptiles such as python, king cobra, common cobra, common and banded Karits are seen in Parsa.

While the tropical and subtropical forest types form the typical vegetation, sal forest type makes up to 90 percent of the reserve’s vegetation.

The reserve also has the Churia hills ranging from 750-950m from east to west. 

Other Places of Interest Near Parsa

Located near the reserve headquarters is a tower that provides the visitors an unforgettable viewing experience.

Khailash Bhata, located atop the hill, is a place of religious interest housing two temples (Dugdeswor Mahadev) of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

There is also an elephant camp near Amlekhgunj.

Easily Reachable!

Tourists can take on the main Kathmandu-Hetauda-Birgunj highway to reach the park’s entrance.

There are also buses from Kathmandu to reach the reserve, but takes a 6-7-hour long journey. The reserve can also be reached through a flight to Simara and then a 15-minute bus journey to the reserve’s headquarter.

The reserve presents a pleasant experience during Winter (October-December) period, during which the temperatures are usually seen at 0°C.

Whereas, the temperature goes up in the spring season (January-March), hot and humid climate during summer season (April-June) at around -40°C. July-September presents a rainy season. 

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Besides, 4.2% of the world’s butterfly species (around 650), the world’s largest herd of Swamp deer (in Sukla Phanta in West Nepal), mysterious creature called Yeti, largest honeybees, largest moth called Atlas Moth, the only natural breeding ground of the Long Snouted Gharial crocodile, are among other highlights of Nepal’s biodiversity profile.

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