Chitwan. KATHMANDU: Minister for Agriculture, Forest and Environment Gita Chaudhary has held a discussion on the management of human-wildlife conflict in and around the Chitwan National Park.

Minister Chaudhary, who arrived in Chitwan on the sidelines of the National Pharmaceutical Association (RSS) General Convention in Chitwan, took extensive information about biodiversity conservation, management of problematic wildlife, scientific research and measures to reduce human-wildlife conflict. During the visit, she pledged to take all the steps that the government should take to maintain coexistence between wildlife and humans.

Minister Chaudhary made an on-site inspection of the proposed ‘Tiger Sanctuary’ construction site at Devnagar of Chitwan today. The government is planning to build a tiger sanctuary in Devnagar.

More than a dozen endangered tigers have been kept in enclosures across the country. The government has come up with a plan to construct a tiger sanctuary in around 50 hectares of land in Devnagar.

On the occasion, Minister Chaudhary expressed the belief that the construction of tiger sanctuary would not only provide natural environment to the endangered and injured tigers but would also contribute a lot to eco-tourism. She has also discussed with the park administration about the necessary plan for the same.

On the occasion, Minister Chaudhary inquired about the problems and needs of the Elephant Breeding Centre at Khorsor of Chitwan. She also sought to address the questions raised about the breeding centre, which has contributed to the conservation of 68 elephant calves in the 33 years of its establishment. She discussed with the park officials about the health of the mothers and calves at the center, food management and the challenges in the work area.

Minister Chaudhary also visited the Gharial Breeding Centre while visiting the office of the Chitwan National Park. She stressed on the improvement of the ecosystem in the riverine areas through programmes for the conservation and population enhancement of gharial crocodiles.

A team from the Ministry inspected the final preparations being made for translocation of blackbucks to the Panchakanya Community Forest (Ratnanagar area) at Tikauli of Chitwan. Preparations are underway to bring Krishnasar for the purpose of eco-tourism and conservation. Minister Chaudhary directed to ensure the safe habitat of Krishnasar. Inspecting the Armed Forest Guards Training Centre based in Tikauli, she stressed the need for capacity building of forest guards, infrastructure development and modernization of training to control wildlife crime.

On the occasion, Minister Chaudhary visited the state-of-the-art Wildlife Genomic Lab of the National Trust for Nature Conservation, based in Chitwan. Informing about the activities related to the genetic study of wildlife and scientific research, she said that this lab was important for the formulation of evidence-based conservation policy.

Chief Warden of Chitwan National Park, Chief of Division Forest Office, Chitwan, member-secretary of National Trust for Nature Conservation and other high officials were present during the visit. Minister Chaudhary stressed on community-based programmes while giving directions on various dimensions of conservation and policy reforms. On the occasion, Minister Chaudhary expressed commitment that the government would carry out relief, rescue and long-term infrastructure works with priority to minimize human-wildlife conflict and maintain co-existence.