LALITPUR: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ramnath Adhikari, has stressed the need for a three-tier government collaboration to implement effective programmes aimed at mitigating human-wildlife conflict.

Speaking at the inauguration of a workshop on “Wildlife Management: Challenges and Solutions,” organized by the Nepal Japanese Society Alumni Association in Lalitpur today, the Minister stated, “Human-wildlife conflict has become a severe challenge for society. The issue has intensified due to the growing human population and its impact on wildlife habitats and food sources. As a result, animals are increasingly entering human settlements in search of shelter and food.”

The Minister expressed concern over the rising monkey menace in villages, which has discouraged agricultural activities, leading to an increase in barren land and a surge in rural-to-urban migration. He warned that this trend has far-reaching implications for the national economy and poses a significant threat to food security.

He also raised the issue of infectious diseases transmitted from animals to humans and stressed the importance of implementing an effective monitoring and containment system to address this concern.

Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) Vice Chancellor, Professor Dilip Subba, stated that the growing human population has restricted the activities of wild animals, exacerbating human-wildlife conflict. He pointed out that shrinking habitats and depleting food sources for wildlife are key contributors to the problem.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu, Tamura Takahiro, underscored the importance of proper wildlife management, describing it as a pressing challenge for modern society. He highlighted the impact of climate change on wildlife habitats and stressed the need for comprehensive solutions to address the issue. He also took the opportunity to highlight Japan’s contributions to Nepal’s socio-economic and cultural development.

Chief Representative of JICA Nepal Office, Mizuki Matsuzaki, called for collective efforts to address the dual challenges of climate change and human-wildlife conflict in Nepal. He reaffirmed JICA’s commitment to supporting initiatives in these areas.