Delegates from Nepal, one of Asia´s 13 tiger-range countries, invited by Russian Premier Vladimir Putin to attend the Saint Petersburg summit on protection of the majestic beasts, have been preparing to table a plan for the expansion of PWR as one of the measures for the conservation of the habitat of big cats, said Gopal Prasad Upadhyay, Director General at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC). [break]
"We have already agreed in principle to expand PWR," said Upadhyay. "We expect to expedite the process to expand PWR after returning from the conference." The expansion of PWR, Upadhyay explained, is not only crucial to saving the fast perishing tiger habitat but also the fragile Chure area. This region is in peril due to indiscriminate export of stones and gravels.
Nepal, which organized an international workshop on tiger in Kathmandu last year, has expressed its commitment in various global forums to save the big cat´s habitat besides controlling the flourishing illegal trade in tiger parts. Nepal recently declared Banke National Park and expanded the buffer zone of the Bardiya National Park (BNP).
Although PWR accommodates only a few tigers, its expansion is very important since it shares a corridor with Chitwan National Park (CNP). According to a survey report published last year, out of the total 155 tigers found in various parts of Nepal, CNP accommodates 115 tigers.
303 sq. km to be added
DNPWC has principally approved PWR´s proposal to add 303 sq. km area. The area of PWR, the country´s largest wildlife reserve, will boast of an area of 802 sq km once MoFSC seals DNPWC´s proposal. PWR, established in 1984, covers an area of 499 sq km currently. Similarly, NPWC has agreed to add 86 sq km to PWR´s buffer zones to benefit more locals in the area.
The expansion of PWR had remained in limbo with the resignation of Prime Minister Madav Kumar Nepal. In the face of ensuing political uncertainty and disruption of budget, DNPWC could organize a meeting with stakeholders only once. However, with Nepal now poised to ask for US$ 43 million from donor agencies for the conservation of tigers during the Saint Petersburg conference, the expansion of PWR no longer appears a distant dream.
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