Sensitizing lawyers, media personnel and enforcement officials

Political instability, increasing livelihood insecurities due to erratic rainfall pattern, ineffective punishment insecurities and gaps in coordination between central government and field level has led to tremendous increase in wildlife poaching activities. Today poaching is not only limited to mega fauna as rhinos, tigers or elephants but it also exists rampantly among other endangered species such as red panda, himalayan marmot, pangolin and even birds as eurasian eagle owl.Most of these animals are killed to be used as traditional medicines. Inspite of scientific evidences that suggest medicines from the animal parts are not effective, it is yet creating a huge demand on false assumptions.The government of Nepal has very stringent laws and policies regarding the protection of endangered species of Nepal. However, there is serious lack of coordination between the execution of these laws creating gaps and holes in the system. It is therefore very necessary to sensitize the media personnel to continuously highlight such issues and sensitize judicial bodies to understand the gravity of the situation of endangered species.

In this line Wildlife Conservation Nepal (WCN) conducted a one day seminar with a vision to sensitize lawyers, media personnel and enforcement officials on wildlife crime on September 11, 2009 at Hotel Manaslu, Lazimpat. Lawyers, law students, media personnel and officials from different conservation organization and enforcement agencies were present. On the occasion Mr. Fanindra Kharel, Planning Officer, Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), Dr, Chuda B shrestha, Advocate, and Mr. Prasanna Yonzon CEO of WCN and an expert on wildlife crime made vivid presentations on the present crime scenario of wildlife in Nepal.

Glimpse of the seminar