Faunal Diversity Assesment in Chure Region of Nepalby | 21-08-2016 13:15 |
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The Chure range is a porous zone with loose formation of unconsolidated materials.It is the youngest part of the Himalayan system which is formed of the fluvial sedimentary rocks which is not fully adjusted and all the rivers and rivulates from Mahabharat range flow from this area to the Terai hence it is a sensitive area.It is also known as ?Siwalik? and covers 12.78% land of the country. Chure range is important from ecological, social, economical and political perspective of Nepal.Around 60% of Chure is Covered by forest and is rich in biodiversity, however the region is considered vulnerable to natural disasters loke landslide, flood, erosions and climate change impacts.Also this fragile ecosystem, is further aggravated by other anthropogenic interventions such as encroachment, cultivation, illegal logging, grazing, extraction of sand and gravels etc. Considering it?s great social and ecological significance,Government of Nepal has given emphasis on its conservation since 1970 and started ? Rastrapati Chure Conservation Programme(RCCP)? with Nrs.250 million in 2010.This programme is lead by Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation and is implemented in 27 districts of Nepal through Department of Soil Conservation and Watershed Management. And currently the Rastrapati Chure Conservation development Board is planning to conduct a faunal diversity assessment in Chure range collaborating with national Trust for Nature Conservation.The assessment will help in identifying biodiversity pocket areas and to asses current disturbance regimes and threats to biodiversity, said Dr. Annapurna Nanda Dismember secretary of the RCCP.He further mentioned that comprehensive faunal data will be prepared after the assessment as faunal data are significant in formulating policy for their conservation. The assessment will be done in four blocks where eastern block comprises areas from Mechi to Bagmati river,Central from Bagamati River to Tinau Khola,Western from Tinau to the Karnali River and far-western from Karnali to the Mahakali River covering 4,786 sq.Km.,5624 sq.km.,6401 sq.Km. and 2172 sq.Km. Respectively.The assement is expected to be complete by 2017 while it will be stared from last week of this August. Source:- The Himalayan times National Daily
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