Download Environment and Culture in Nepal

Environment and Culture in Nepal:
Optimising the needs of Protected Areas, Threatened Species and Human Livelihoods
A university study program in natural resource management, conservation and human development
Four weeks of field experience in Nepal supported by extensive reading of relevant research from
the study areas
Introduction
Nepal is rich in both natural and cultural diversity. The great range of altitude from the lowland
plains of the terai to the high peaks of the Himalaya has produced an unparalleled diversity of
habitats from tropical forests in the south to alpine grasslands in the north, supporting a
tremendous variety of flora and fauna. This includes many species that are globally threatened such
as the Tiger, Snow Leopard, Indian Rhinoceros and Gharial. This great biological diversity is matched
by an equal richness of human cultures with many quite distinct ethnic groups of diverse origins
occupying different parts of the country, each adapted to the particular natural environment of their
area. Crops and farming practices have been modified according to altitude, climate and soils, and
the use of natural resources changes in relation to variations in local ecology. Traditionally, most
people have depended on a combination of farming and products from the natural environment for
most of their basic living requirements and this is still the case in almost all of the rural parts of the
country today. Tourism, which is mostly nature-based, is one of Nepal’s major sources of income.
Most tourists visit the county’s national parks and other protected areas as well as enjoying the
great wealth of cultural richness. There is a clear interdependence of humans and natural resources
in Nepal and the future of the great majority of the human population at local and national levels
depends on how successfully this interdependence is managed.
Objective of study program
This study program explores Nepal’s natural environments and human cultures with a primary focus
on the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources. The program
examines ways by which long-term conservation objectives can be achieved and maintained while at
the same time enabling the quality of life of the human population in and around protected areas to
improve and develop. Approaches to the management of biodiversity that attempt to maximise the
long-term benefits for both nature and people are studied.
In Nepal many people live in areas immediately adjacent to protected areas and in some cases,
within protected areas. This has presented many challenges. There is rarely a clear separation of
the activities and requirements of humans and wildlife. Wildlife can be pests of crops and in some
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cases a direct threat to humans. Likewise humans can be a threat to wild animals and plants through
poaching, attempted pest control, overharvesting, habitat destruction, pollution, overgrazing and
disturbance. There are many opportunities for animal and plant species, particularly exotics that are
harmful to natural systems, to cross from cultivated land into natural areas. On the other side of the
coin natural areas can offer incomes through nature-based tourism. Protected areas are also often
the only remaining sources of many natural products, such as building materials, firewood and
medicinal plants, upon which local people depend. Nepal has had some 40 years of intensive
research and practical experience of protected area management and approaches to achieve
compatibility between the needs of conservation and local human populations. This has resulted in
the development of general models of successful management of protected areas and many
successful case histories for the conservation of threatened species within protected areas such as
the Tiger, Indian Rhinoceros, and the fish-eating Gharial. Many detailed species and protected area
management plans have been produced. Nepal is therefore an excellent location to learn about the
challenges and solutions to many aspects of protected area and species management.
Nepal’s biodiversity
Nepal, with area 147,181 sq km, occupies the central part of the Himalayas standing between the
Palaeartic (Holartic) and Paleotropical (Indo-Malayan) regions. The country is located between
latitudes 26o22’ and 30o27’ N and longitudes 80o40’ and 88o12’ E. Altitude varies from 67 m above sea
level at Kechana Kalan, Jhapa in the south-eastern Terai to 8848 m at Mt. Sagarmatha (Everest), the
highest point in the world. Nepal’s biodiversity is a reflection of its unique geographic position and
variations in altitude and climate. The extreme altitudinal gradient has resulted in 11 bio-climatic zones
ranging from tropical to nival within a short horizontal span. The Terai belt (67-300 m) is a flat stretch
of fertile agricultural and forested land in southern Nepal, which forms part of the alluvial Gangetic
plain and is characterised by many complex and diverse riverine ecosystems, many now well
represented in protected areas such as Chitwan National Park. The Siwalik Hills Zone (700-1500 m)
rises abruptly from the Terai plains and is mainly composed of sedimentary rock with large boulders.
The Mahabharat Lek (1500 m to 2700 m) lies between the Siwalik Hills to the south and the midlands
to the north. The Midlands (average altitude 2000 m) occupy the central region of the country. This
area is characterised by many small farming communities usually on terraced hill slopes, set among
extensive forests grading from oak at lower altitudes to fir, birch and rhododendron at higher altitudes.
The Himalayan zone (above 4000 m) lies in the north and stretches from east to west of the country. It
consists of subalpine and alpine climates where summer grazing pastures are found in the lower
elevations and high altitude plant species adapted to extremes of cold and desiccation grow in rain
shadow areas at higher elevations. There are several inner Himalayan valleys with desert conditions
such as the upper Kaligandaki and Bheri valleys located at altitudes above 3600 m.
A wide range of climatic conditions exists in Nepal, mainly as a result of variations in altitude. This is
reflected in contrasting habitats, vegetation, and fauna. Other important climatic factors influencing
biodiversity and the composition of flora and fauna in Nepal include rainfall, winter snowfall,
temperature, and aspect. Soil formation is related to the physiographic zone. In the Terai, the soil is
alluvial and fine to medium textured. In the Siwalik Hills, it is made up of sedimentary rocks with a
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sandy texture, while in the Mid-hills soil is medium to light in texture with a predominance of coarsegrained sand and gravel. The soil in the high mountains is shallow, stony, and glacial.
The country’s major perennial river systems are the Mahakali, Karnali, Narayani, and Koshi rivers, all of
which originate in the Himalayas and are fed by glaciers during the dry winter months. Medium-sized
rivers include the Babai, West Rapti, Bagmati, Kamala, Kankai, and Mechi rivers that generally
originate in the Mid-hills or in the Mahabharat range. The Terai region contains many small and usually
seasonal rivers most of which originate in the Siwalik Hills. These rivers hold a great potential for both
small and large-scale hydro-electricity production, which could offset the need to use forests for fuel.
However, this and other uses of water are threatened by the melting of glaciers as a result of global
warming.
The latest physiographic data show around 4.27 million hectares (29% of total land area) of the Nepal’s
land surface is mature forest; 1.56 million hectares (10.6%) is scrubland and degraded forest; 1.7
million hectares (12%) is grassland; 3.0 million hectares (21%) is farmland, and about 1.0 million
hectares (7%) is uncultivated lands. Forest cover in the Terai and Hill areas is reported to have
decreased at an annual rate of 1.3% and 2.3%, respectively between 1978/79 and 1990/91.
Nepal had a human population of 23.2 million at the most recent census in 2001 but has been
increasing at an annual rate of about 2.5%. Some 48.5% of the population lives in the Terai, 44.2% in
the Hills, and 7.3% in the Mountains.
Nepal covers only 0.1% of the surface area of the world but supports an exceptionally high proportion
of global biodiversity. A total of 6391 flowering plant species have been recorded or 2.76% of the
world total. The total number of mammals is 208 (3.96% of world total), of birds, 865 (8.9%), of
reptiles, 195 (1.54%) and of amphibians, 118 (2.47%) and of fish, 206 species. The diversity of some
invertebrate groups is also exceptionally high. For example, 653 species of butterflies have been
recorded, representing 3.72% of the world total.
Nepal has a total of 17 protected areas, which includes nine National Parks, three Wildlife Reserves,
four Conservation Areas and one Hunting Reserve. Eleven of the protected areas also have associated
buffer zones. The total area protected, including the buffer zones, covers 28,960 km2, or 19.7% of the
land surface of the country. Thirty-six major vegetation types have been described across Nepal, of
which 31 are well represented in protected areas.
Study program
There are two components to this study program: extensive reading of relevant literature and
intensive experience in the field. Many of the publications that should be read are provided on a CD
and other documents will be consulted in Nepal during the fieldwork section.
The field experience involves four weeks in Nepal, based at two of the country’s most important
protected areas; the Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) and Chitwan National Park (CNP). ACA is a
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very extensive and predominantly hill and montane area of some7,630 km2, based around the
Annapurna range of mountains. It consists of a variety of natural areas ranging from oak
rhododendron and fir forests to high altitude dry grasslands, within which there are many traditional
farming communities, predominantly of people of the Gurung and Thakali ethnic groups. CNP is a
lowland national park in the terai and in contrast to ACA does not have settlements within it. Around
the perimeters of the park the area is populated by traditional farming communities predominantly of
the Tharu ethnic group. These two protected areas therefore contrast in many respects but
particularly in the presence and absence of human communities within the areas. They therefore
present different challenges for the conservation of biodiversity, requiring different management
approaches.
In addition to work in the two protected areas, two to three days are spent in the Kathmandu valley
learning about the history and culture of the area and becoming familiar with the main ideas of the
Hindu and Buddhist religions.
Annapurna Conservation Area.
The ACA has long been one of Nepal’s most popular trekking areas, based on a combination of
experiences, including spectacular mountain views, the natural environment and traditional villages
and lifestyles. A system of paved pathways, used by people and their animals for centuries, connects
the many small villages and gives access to the extensive areas of natural habitats. Tourists greatly
increase the number of people that have to be supported by local resources but at the same time give
employment and income to the resident population. The provision of food, heating and other facilities
for tourists potentially places a great deal of stress on the natural environments and farmed land of
the area. The major management challenge has been developing methods that ensure the system can
be sustainable.
Within ACA there is a very wide range of altitudes which results in a great diversity of very different
habitats and an exceptionally high biodiversity. The area supports 97 species of mammal, 476 species
of birds, 56 reptiles and 450 species of flowering plants.
In ACA the program is based at Ghandruk, the location of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project
headquarters, run by the National Trust for Nature Conservation (previously the King Mahendra Trust
for Nature) the most important conservation NGO in Nepal with close ties to the government
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. Ghandruk is a traditional Gurung village, a
settlement of fine stone-walled and slate-roofed houses surrounded by terraced cultivation.
Accommodation is in the Namaste Guest House, a friendly and courteous, family run business offering
basic but clean rooms and wholesome food. The lodge which gives spectacular views of the
Annapurna peaks and Machhapuchre, the Fish-tailed Mountain, is reserved for the exclusive use of
participants during the program.
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Activities in the Annapurna Conservation Area
The ACA is an example of a protected area that has people living traditional lifestyles in villages set
among a matrix of natural environments. The program offers the opportunity to study the natural
environments and wildlife, the role of ecotourism, the lifestyles of the local people and methods
adopted to ensure the sustainability of the whole system.
The program will focus mainly on the following aspects of conservation and human lives:
Natural environments. From Ghandruk day excursions are made to areas of natural habitat
and other natural habitats are seen on the route into ACA from Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Immediately around Ghandruk the predominant habitat is the rhododendron forest and there
are large untouched areas of this forest types within easy reach.
Study ecology and management plans for conservation of species such as the Snow Leopard
and management plan for ACA.
Traditional farming practices. Farming methods are still predominantly highly traditional,
involving cropping and livestock rearing on terraced slopes, using labour intensive and mainly
organic methods. The growing of food, food harvesting, processing and storage are done by
family units.
Local crafts and skills. The local population still relies heavily on traditional skills using both
natural resources and farmed products to produce many of their basic needs. For example,
wool shorn from locally grazed sheep is cleaned, carded, spun and woven and baskets used to
carry many items from firewood to corn are woven from bamboo. Demonstrations of these
activities will be given and by prior arrangement it may be possible to organise individual
lessons in activities such as spinning and weaving.
Ecotourism. Tourism is a major source of local income, providing employment through the
provision of accommodation and food, working as porters, selling craftwork and so on. The
nature of this tourism is studies as well as ways developed to cope with the added fuel and
food requirements, such as small-scale hydro-electric units and solar power. Projects have
been undertaken to enhance the growing of vegetables, the use of plantation wood to replace
wood from native forests and the planting of fodder bushes to reduce the cutting from natural
forests.
Education. Engagement with local school students in Ghandruk is a valuable way to learn
about local culture and the ideas and aspirations of young people as well as sharing
experiences.
Local cultural activities. Depending on the season it is usually possible to experience local
traditions of music and dance as well as religious celebrations.
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Chitwan National Park
CNP was established in 1973 and is Nepal’s oldest protected area. It is internationally renowned for its
successful conservation of many threatened animals but especially the Indian One-horned Rhinoceros,
Tiger and Gharial. The park has a wide variety of habitats from forested hill country in the southern
parts, with many small steep river valleys to the flat riverine areas produced by the very active Rapti,
Reu and Narayani rivers in the northern and western sections. Major habitats include tropical Sal
(Shorea robusta) forest, the main climax forest type, and successional habitats such as mixed
broadleaved riverine forest, grasslands, savannah and khair-sissoo scrub along newly deposited sandy
river sediments. In addition to Tiger, Rhino and Gharial other significant wildlife species include
Leopard, Sloth Bear, Indian Elephant, Gaur, Gangetic Dolphin, Bengal Florican and Great Hronbill. The
park supports an exceptional diversity of other species including 58 species of mammal, 559 species of
birds, 56 reptiles and 124 fish species.
In CNP the program is based on the western edge of the park at the Tharu Cultural Resort, a tourist
lodge that specialises in the culture of the local indigenous Tharu people and has easy access to the
park and traditional local villages.
Activities at Chitwan National Park.
Experience the range of habitats and species within the National Park. Study the national park
management plan and various aspects of management activities on the ground.
Study the ecology and individual management plans for species such as Tiger, Indian
Rhinoceros and Gharial
Experience the captive rearing and release program for Gharial and study Gharial habitat from
canoe on the Narayani River.
Visit the elephant breeding program run by the national park.
Learn about the culture of the local Tharu people. The Tharu are the longest established and
predominant ethnic group in the areas surrounding the National Park. Experience their
farming practices and their use of natural products for housing, fuel and medicine.
Experience other aspects of Tharu culture such as music, dance and religious celebrations.
Ecotourism. Ecotourism in and around CNP is a major source of local and national income.
Learn about people-park interactions. First-hand experience is gained of the complexity of
people-park interactions, including the two-way movement of species regarded as pests, the
requirements of local people for natural resources, and advantages and disadvantages of
ecotourism . Also examine ways in which aspects of local culture and activities have been
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modified over the past 30 years or so to enhance the sustainable use of natural resources.
Time permitting, a side excursion to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, may be undertaken.
Activities in the Kathmandu Valley
At least two days will be spent in and around Kathmandu at the start and end of the study program,
experiencing different aspects of Nepalese history, relgions and culture. Visits will be made to
Kathmandu’s ancient Dhurbar Square, the Buddhist stupa of Boudhnath, the old city of Bhaktapur ,
famous for wood carving, and other traditional craftwork, and the temple of Pashupatinath, the most
important temple and cremation site for Nepali Hindus on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River.
Health and safety
There are no major health and safety risks at either ACA or CNP, provided basic measures and
precautions are taken. Vaccination against the relevant major diseases is recommended, in
consultation with a medical practitioner. Apart from these, dysentery is the only potential risk at all
times and in the monsoon, malaria is a potential risk in CNP. Dysentery is better avoided than cured
and this can be done easily by ensuring that all water and food consumed is clean. Bottled water is
available in most areas as is boiled and filtered water. Often it is best to drink tea with water that has
been thoroughly boiled. Malaria is best dealt with by minimising exposure to mosquito bites and taking
appropriate prophylactics.
ACA: Namaste Guest House has been used many times and there has been no case of dysentery or
other food poisoning. The staff maintain meticulously clean food preparation conditions and most
food is sourced from the family farm and garden, including the milk which comes straight from the
very friendly family water buffalo and boiled. Ghandruk has a small medical centre with resident
nursing staff that can deal with most minor problems. There is mobile phone, satellite phone and
internet access in case of any emergency and there is a helicopter landing pad at the ACAP
headquarters.
CNP: Chitwan National Park is a natural area of wild habitats and like all such areas supports
populations of potentially dangerous wild animals. Species such as Tiger, Sloth bear, Indian
Rhinoceros, Gaur and Indian Elephant always present a potential safety threat. However, this threat
can be eliminated by following simple and quite obvious rules. For example, it is extremely unwise to
leave the area of the lodge on foot in darkness. Always conduct activities within the park as a group
under the direct supervision of experienced guides who know the area and animals well. Always
follow their instructions and never wander off alone, no matter what; if a “nature call” is needed,
inform the guide!! Never lag behind. The Tharu Cultural resort is a highly profession lodge that
maintains the highest standards of hygiene. We have experienced no health problems there.
Telephone and internet communication are available. The lodge is within about 1 hour’s drive of
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Bharaptpur which has excellent modern hospitals, including a teaching hospital and an airport with a
short 30 minute flight to Kathmandu.
Program management and tuition team
This program was developed by Dr. Iain R. Taylor PhD of Charles Sturt University, Australia and
Himalayan Nature, Nepal; Dr. Hem Sagar Baral PhD of Himalayan Nature, Nepal; and Gangaram Singh
MSc. of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and Himalayan Nature, Nepal, all
of whom are also the tutors for the subject in the field. Iain Taylor has more than 30 years of
experience in Nepal having undertaken many research projects in wildlife ecology and management in
Chitwan and Annapurna. He has supervised many Nepali postgraduate students. Hem Sagar Baral has
very extensive experience of wildlife ecology and management as well as ecotourism in Nepal
stretching over many years. His research speciality is the ecology of grassland birds and he was Nepal’s
Director for Birdlife International for many years. He has also organised and lead many groups in Nepal
to study the country’s wild places and culture. Gangaram Singh is a senior member of Department of
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation in Nepal and has many years experience in the management
of Nepal’s protected areas. He has worked mostly in the field and has lived in and been responsible for
the planning and management of these areas such Koshi Tappu, Chitwan, Bardia and Rara Lake as for
most of his career. He has a detailed understanding of people-park relationships. This scientific team is
backed up by Sharad Singh, Director of Himalayan Nature specialist on ecotourism, and Ram Rai, a
mountain guide with Himalayan Nature.
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Program and dates for 2010
Date
Location
Activity
27 November
Leave Australia
28 November
Arrive Kathmandu (approx mid-day)
29 November
Travel to Pokhara
30 November
In Pokhara
Another opportunity to buy
outdoor gear. Obtain permits
to enter Annapurna
Conservation area
1 December
Travel to Gandruk
Approx 2 hours bus journey
followed by 6 hour trek
20-6 December
In Gandruk
Various activities listed above
7 December
Return to Pokhara
8 December
Travel to Chitwan National Park
9-16 December
In Chitwan
17 December
Travel to Lumbini
18-19 December
In Lumbini
20 December
Travel to Kathmandu
21-22 December
In Kathmandu
A few hours to buy outdoor
gear
Various activities listed above
Visit birthplace of the Buddha,
wetland site and rice
agricultural landscapes
Visit various important
cultural sites around
Kathmandu
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