Transboundary Movement of Elephants in Eastern Nepal

By Nabin Gopal Baidya

Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) occur in four places in Nepal. The seasonal migrating elephants that move from West Bengal, India to Bahundangi of Jhapa, i.e., the eastern population, numbers 50-70 individuals and there is a resident herd of 10-13 individuals (Elephant Action Plan,2007); the central population (40-50 individuals) is confined to Parsa Wildlife Reserve and recently has moved outside the reserve; the mid-west population of 70-80 individuals resides in Bardia National Park (Pradhan, 2007), while the far western population of 2-18 elephants are found in the Churia foothills (Velde, 1997). Elephants from Assam, India, migrate to eastern Nepal, passing through the plains of Darjeeling district of West Bengal, India, in search of food and shelter. Thirty-four percent of the total forest area falls in the protected areas of West Bengal, comprising 15 wildlife sanctuaries, 5 national parks and 2 tiger reserves. Darjeeling Wildlife Division One, Kurseong Forest Division and Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary lie in the migration route of the elephants (http://westbengalforest.gov.in). Kurseong forest divisions are contiguous with the Mechi-River on the eastern border of Nepal with tropical broad leaf forest where the elephants migrate to Nepal. Their nodal point of entry is Bahundangi, Jhapa district. During migration these elephants cause much damage to property and life because the migration corridors are fragmented and used for human settlements and agricultural purposes. As a result, elephants are killed, crops damaged and human lives lost.

Published on Tiger Paper, Vol. 37: No. 4 October-December 2010

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The Illicit Trade on Megavertebrates of Asia

 By Prasanna Yonzon


The complexity of poaching of megavertebrates of Asia and burgeoning markets, reveal that south Asia is at peril. Status of wildlife trade in recent times in India, Nepal and China are explored, with considerations to assess poaching-related damages to the tigers and rhinos. Recent market studies suggest that the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, has become the centerfold for tiger skin and bones. The tigers in India, are persecuted for skin trades in China. Nepal is also under heavy duress both as transit point and also a source for poaching. The findings indicate a strong need for a regional cooperation through a tripartite agreement. Such will also, bolster the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Also, trade in these countries warrant special attention from the judicial and law enforcement agencies to arrest wildlife crimes within and outside the country through law enforcement, information-sharing and cooperation.