National and Local Biodiversity Conservation Programme

Programmes for the conservation of biodiversity should be conducted at national, local and individual levels. Organizations and associations too must be encouraged. Conservation programmes can be effectively implemented when there is assistance from all. Some of the major conservation programmes and efforts are given below:

1. National Park, Reserve wildlife and Conservation Area: National Parks, Reserves and Conservation Area have been established as protected areas in different parts of Nepal. There are 9 National Parks, 4 Wildlife Reserves and 3 Conservation Areas in Nepal. About 18.5 percent of the total area fall under such protected areas including buffer zones. The Wildlife Reserves, Conservation Areas and National Parks are helping to conserve the living beings in in-situ that is, in their original places. The in-situ conservation provides the vegetation, animals and birds the natural environment. Conservation of biodiverity in its original place is in-situ conservation. The in-situ conservation help various species to be conserved in the original site in the protected form. The effort provides the biodiversity conservation. The living beings get proper natural environment, food and habitat there. This is why National Parks, Wildlife Reserves and Conservation Areas have been set up in different parts of the country. Chitwan National Park, Sagarmatha National Park, Rara National Park, She-phosksundo National Park, Langtang National Park, Khaptad National Park, Koshitappu Wildlife Reserve, Parsa Wildlife Reserve, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Annapurna Conservation Area, Makalu-Barun Conservation Area, Gokarna Conservation Area, Nagarjun Conservation Area etc are some examples.
2. Artificial Conservation Site: The in-situ Conservation is not possible for all types of living beings. If they are not given appropriate natural environment, they become extinct. Therefore, ex-situ (artificial natural environment) should be created for the conservation of disappearing and rare living beings. This type of conservation is known as ex-situ conservation. Thus, the conservation of living things can be done in other favorable places.

Methods of Conservation of Biodiversity

Considering the importance of biodiversity, it is essential to preserve the biodiversity of each geographical region. The methods of conservation of each region will be different. Various methods can be practised.

The following methods can be adopted for the purpose of conserving biodiversity.

1. Knowledge of biodiversity: People should have the knowledge on the biodiversity of each on geographical region. The place, habitat and status of the creatures should be found out in order to plan the conservation programmes.
2. Information on biodiversity: Local people of each region should be given information on biodiversity. After understanding the importance of biodiversity, their role in the conservation programme will be clear.
3. Public participation: Local organization, village development committee, municipality, community, civic society etc. should be encouraged to participate in the conservation work jointly. They should prepare plans and implement them. Local people should be encouraged to participate in this work. The rules and programme which they make are obeyed well.
4. Religious value: Various kinds of trees such peepal, banyan (bar), basil (tulasi), bel, lotus (kamal), rudraksha are considered very important in our religion and tradition. Animals like lion, elephant, tiger, peacock, monkey, tortoise, rat etc are religiously important. So, religious and cultural traditions should be utilized for the protection of biodiversity.
5. Rules and Regulations: Conservation laws are very important for the conservation of biodiversity. So, dissemination of conservation laws among the people is necessary. People should be acquainted with such laws. The laws should encourage local agencies to conduct conservation programmes.
6. Income generation: We have to make local people knowledgeable through effective means on importance and methods of utilization. The raw materials of biodiversity can be used for income generating activities without degrading them. Therefore, they should not be utilized at random. The people should be trained properly to use them. The income, thus obtained, can be used to raise the living standard to use the community people. Some percentage of income should be spent on biodiversity conservation.
7. Change in consumption pattern: While using natural resources such as plants, animals and metals, they should use them properly. For this, change of consumption pattern is necessary. We have to use them economically. We have reduce their use as far as applicable. If possible, we have to emphasize on re-use and recycle. We are selfish. Conversational use of biodiversity can certain the conservation of biodiversity.
8. Develop positive attitude: It is essential for the people to keep beneficial view to the biodiversity. They should be friendly to the biodiversity and not exploit it for their personal gain in the present. They must keep in mind that there are many generations to come and use it for the fulfillment of their need. It will help conservation of the biodiversity.

Importance of Biodiversity

Biodiversity is main source to meet the needs of people. Biodiversity is used in human activities related to settlement, life style, social functions and economic activities. The importance of biodiversity can be presented as:

1. Agriculture Product: The crops like paddy, wheat, maize, barley etc. are the main foods of people. The source of these foods is the agricultural biodiversity. In the ancient time, people brought the useful species from the forest and cultivated to produce food for them then they selected best seeds to get high yield. These processes contributed in the development of best agricultural crops, which are the sources of food for people.
2. Animal Products: Animals are the source of milk, meat, eggs, labor and other raw materials. Fish is another sources of food. Birds are the beauty of nature. They can be used for food and other purposes. Dogs are pet animals. Some medicines are made by using some animals products. People can conduct animal farming to produce more production. Thus, all of the animal products are the products of biodiversity.
3. Plant Products: Plants are the sources of food, flowers and raw materials are either obtained from forests or from agricultural land. Industries use leaves, barks, fruits and materials. Several species of mushrooms, medicinal herbs, fruits, vegetables and plant products are collected and marketed. Plants have the economic value in improvement of living standard of the people.
4. Improvement of Breeds: Animals and plants are used for breeding to produce new varieties. It is for improving their production and quality. Wild animals, birds and other living beings are valuable source that can be used for breeding. This breeding can help to improve the quality of the established domesticates. Within domesticates they can be crossed to generate new varieties in the world. These improved varieties/ hybrids produce high yield of excellent quality.
5. Conservation of Soil: Land is one of the important natural resources. Soil erosion deteriorates the quality of land. Vegetation is the basic ground that protects the land. The vegetation and plants conserve moisture of the land. Their roots contribute to keep together the particles of soil.
6. Conservation of Watershed: The vegetation and plants contribute in the conservation of sources of water. Plants absorb water and helps to remain in soil. The plants also speed down the evaporation process. Thus, there is close relationship among the biodiversity, water sources and watershed.
7. Natural Scene: Nature is full of biodiversity. The plants and animals in the nature have their own habitat and life styles. There is diversity of plants and animals withe the diversity of geographical structure. The diversity of plants and animals keep the beauty of the nature. Thus, biodiversity has contributed to make a most valuable natural scene.