WWF Nepal, WWF-US reps meet Minister Chaudhary to discuss flood damage, human-wildlife conflict
KATHMANDU: Senior representatives from WWF-US and WWF Nepal met Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Environment Gita Chaudhary to discuss the impact of recent floods, reconstruction needs and escalating human-wildlife conflict.
The discussion at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Environment covered widespread destruction to agricultural land and forest cover caused by floodwaters, the practical challenges of national reconstruction, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, forest and wildlife management, and options for future collaboration.
Loren Mayor, Chief Operating Officer of WWF-US, pledged continued cooperation with the Government of Nepal and the Nepali people during disasters and committed the organisation to support the mobilisation of international technology, specialised expertise and financial resources to assist the country.
Minister Chaudhary thanked WWF for its assistance during disaster periods and outlined the scale of damage to farmland and forests, along with the practical difficulties facing the national reconstruction effort. She emphasised the need to prioritise long-term climate and disaster resilience alongside structural rebuilding.
On wildlife management, the minister said special attention was being given to the rising crisis of human-wildlife conflict, noting that incidents involving tigers were increasing as the tiger population grew. She highlighted the urgent requirement for modern technology and scientific management techniques to address conflicts caused by wild elephants and the widespread problems linked to monkeys in 55 districts.
Delegates discussed mobilising international environmental and climate finance specifically to manage human-elephant conflict. WWF reaffirmed its readiness to facilitate the deployment of world-class technology, technical knowledge and funding in line with Nepal’s national priorities.
Both sides agreed that future joint initiatives should be more result-oriented, systematically integrating nature conservation, community resilience and sustainable economic development.
(With inputs from RSS)
