Posted on March, 21 2013

In harmony with nature

Having just travelled six hours from his village in Palpa to Pokhara to take part in a song competition, 22-year-old Toya Biswakarma had every reason to be exhausted. But a smile played on his lips, and he expressed happiness at being given the platform to display his singing talents. Biswakarma, who has been visually challenged since birth, is determined to focus on his singing. This made him enter his name for the song competition organized by the Hariyo Ban Program. After emerging as the winner from over 30 participants in Gulmi and Palpa Districts, he managed to clinch the second place in the landscape level song competition held on February 24 in Pokhara.

“This is a very good platform,” said Biswakarma, content even after missing the first position, “The subject matter set for this competition is quite apt, too. We all need to understand that the absence of forests means extinction of our existence.” As for handing over leadership roles to women, the major theme of the competition, he opined, “Women should definitely be promoted to decision-making levels. With their sensitivity and gentleness, they will add a new dimension to conservation.”

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Saga of the three conservation heroes

Risking her life for conservation

With her hands on her lap Nanda Devi Kuwar waits quietly and as her name is announced to recognize her bravery and courage, she walks slowly amid the echo of applause, holding her hands that are still recovering from injury.

On International Women's Day, 2013 Hariyo Ban Program recognized three individuals for their remarkable work as change agents in conservation and women’s leadership promotion. They are from the two landscapes where Hariyo Ban Program works - Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) and Chitwan Annapurna Landscape (CHAL). Nanda Devi Kuwar from Kailali was given a special recognition for her bravery, and Durga Gole from Makwanpur and Ek Bahadur Budhathoki Magar from Gorkha were honored as outstanding female and male change agents respectively. Find out about their inspiring struggle and accomplishments.

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Relocated blackbuck thriving in Shuklaphanta 

Along with the arrival of spring, there is another reason to rejoice at Hirapur Phanta in Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve – the birth of three blackbuck fawns in the last month. The first of the fawns was born on February 9, followed by two others on February 14 and February 17. Three other blackbuck are due to give birth soon. The upcoming two months, March and April, are the peak season for blackbuck births in the wild. 
After the first relocation of blackbuck from Nepalgunj Mini Zoo to Hirapur Phanta, Hariyo Ban also supported Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation to translocate six blackbucks from the Central Zoo. Ganga Jung Thapa, NTNC, says, “Prior to translocation, NTNC’s Suklaphanta Conservation Program office conducted community consultation with locals from Jhalari, the village adjoining Hirapur Phanta, regarding the government’s plan to reintroduce blackbuck. The locals were receptive to this, and also suggested conducting development activities in the buffer zone area.”

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Major updates this month

• Finale of a campaign "Amplifying voices of women's leadership in conservation and climate change" held on International Women's Day, 8 March, 2013 
Please click to view more pictures
• Hariyo Ban Program supports tiger survey work in the Terai Arc Landscape 
• Community Based Anti-Poaching Unit (CBAPU) Day celebrated in Bardia on 10 March, 2013 
• ID-based rhino monitoring initiated to update profiles and monitor rhinoceros in Chitwan National Park
• Community Based Anti-Poaching Operation (CBAPO) Training held in Terai Arc Landscape, Kailali
• Gender and Social Inclusion (GESI) Training conducted to enhance capacity of women and socially excluded groups in Dalla, Bardia
• Electric fencing effort in Bhimapur VDC, Bardia inaugurated
• Training on Climate Change Adaptation Plan Preparation provided in Malekhu, Dhading
• Wildlife monitoring training given to Citizen Scientists in Tikapur, Kailali and Khata corridor, Bardiya
• Community Forest Users Group (CFUG) members coached on bamboo plantation in Brahmadev Corridor, Kanchanpur
• Training of Trainers (TOT) provided to facilitate Community Learning and Action Centers (CLACs) in Bode, Bhaktapur
• Forest fire fighting sensitization provided in Ghorahi, Dang
• Rapid assessment for water source protection initiated in Terai Arc Landscape

Answer to last month's question:

According to the community forest development guideline 2065 BS, what proportion of a community forest users committee members should be women?

50% of community forest users committee members should be women. 

Participate in Earth Hour
Earth Hour is being celebrated on 23 March 2013 in Pokhara, Nepal.
Time: 6:00 PM onwards

What is Earth Hour?
Earth Hour is a global event that brings together communities from across the world to raise awareness about the need to take action on climate change by encouraging households and businesses to turn off lights for one designated hour.

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