This report provides a brief overview of the major large wildlife herbivores habitats in Nepal, the challenges to conservation and the initiatives being taken to save them.

Asian Elephant:

Habitat:  grasslands, riverine forest, mixed hardwood forest and agricultural areas.

 Main Threats

• Habitat degradation and loss of corridor connectivity

• Habitat shrinkage outside protected areas.

• Human-wildlife conflict.

• Potential risk of disease (Tuberculosis).

Rhino

Habitat:  Tall floodplain grasslands and swampy areas, bordered by riverine woodlands sometimes extending to drier Sal or Terminamlia forests.

 Main Threats

• Poaching for trade in body parts mainly horn.

• Habitat degradation due to invasive plant species including Mikaniamicranthaand Lantana camara(grassland and riverineforests), Chromolaenaodorata(Sal forests), Eichhorniaand Pistiastratiotes(lakes and river systems).

• Habitat Loss as a result of clearing for agriculture and livestock grazing and human encroachment.

• Human-wildifeconflict

Wild Water Buffalo:

Habitat: Availability of water, and prefer low-lying alluvial grasslands and riparian forests and woodlands.

Main Threats

·       Inbreeding

·       Natural disasters (for example, flooding causes widespread habitat degradation and        sweeps away individuals).

•         Human-wildlife conflict.

•         Food competition with domestic livestock.

•         Hunting for subsistence.

•         Disease transmission.

•         Habitat degradation (including invasive plant species).

•         Hybridization with domestic and/or feral buffalo.

Conservation Efforts:

Natural resources conservation

Sustainable livelihood program

Conservation education

Climate Change

Elephant TB surveillance & healthcare

Species conservation and breeding support

Human wildlife conflict management

Anti-poaching support

National capacity building

References:

https://ntnc.org.np/

http://www.dnpwc.gov.np/ne/