Big cats face fresh danger with poachers back on the prowl

          Big cats face fresh danger with poachers back on the prowl

       Intel reports that tribal gypsy groups from India are entering the Nepali territory in Bardiya and Kailali have put park authorities and security officials on high alert. The Indian tribal gypsy groups, known as Banjaras, are infamous for poaching endangered animals, including tiger. On May 9, our informants tipped us about the movement of Banjaras from India in West Nepal with an intention to hunt tigers. Based on this information, I informed the authorities at the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation about the situation and requested necessary measures to ensure protection of tigers in the respective tiger habitats,” said DSP Pravin Pokhrel, chief of the Wildlife Control Bureau under the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police. The Banjara groups, who are actively involved in killing tigers in national parks and wildlife reserves in West Nepal in the recent months, are learnt to have entered the country via Nepal-India border in Bardiya, said DSP Pokhrel. The CIB has already mobilised a team on the ground to monitor the situation, he added. Last week, two key poachers and wildlife traders involved in killing tigers in Bardiya were arrested by CIB officials.

  Lal Bahadur aka Raj Bahadur BK, a local resident of Hariharpur VDC in Surkhet district, who had been on the run after killing a tiger named Namobuddha in Bardiya in 2011, was arrested on May 13 from Nepal-India border in Kanchanpur district. The same night, Sher Bahadur Lama, 57, a key middleman involved in illegal trade of tiger skin and body parts in Nepal and India, was arrested by the CIB from Nepalgunj. Lama who was convicted of killing tigers in Bardiya and Pilibhit National Park in India, however, hanged self to death on the morning of May 14 while in custody. Acting on intelligence reports provided by the CIB, the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation (MOFSC) on May 13 directed the line agencies and departments, including the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) and Department of Forests, to mobilize security personnel and concerned stakeholders to carry out urgent measures to stop poaching and

illegal trade of tigers and other wildlife.

In the last one year, between January 2015 and March 2016, at least 14 tigers have been killed in Nepal. Banjaras from India and locals were involved in the killings.The last tiger census in 2013 put the number of wild tigers in the country at 198, an increase in the population by 63 percent from the last census in 2009. But poaching continues to remain a great risk for tigers in the country. In Bardiya, 50 wild tigers were counted during the 2013 census. The number was 18 during the 2009 survey.Political instability in the country has contributed to the rise in tiger poaching in West Nepal,” said Maheshwar Dhakal, deputy director general at the DNPWC. According to him, the government is at the final stage of formulating Tiger Action Plan that focuses on strategies and measures to protect tigers from poaching and illegal trade. Despite the increase in the numbers of tigers, poaching remains  a risk to their population

Tigers under pressure

1 In the last one year, between January 2015 and March 2016, at least 14 tigers have been killed in Nepal     

2 Banjaras from India and locals have been found involved in the killings

  3    Though tiger population has shown a steady growth in the country, with last tiger census in 2013   putting the number at 198, poaching continues to remain a major threat to the endangered species

 4       During the 2013 census, 50 wild tigers were counted in Bardiya where the Indian tribal groups, infamous for poaching endangered animals, are said to have entered in recent months

 Source bye Kathmandu post 

    

1st TAAN Langtang Gosainkunda Half-Marathon on May 29

Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) is organizing 1st TAAN Langtang Gosainkunda Half Marathon 2016' on 29th of May on the occasion of its 38th Establishment Day.

The event is being organized to disseminate the message that Langtang-Gosainkunda region, which was hit hard by the earthquakes of 2015, has bounced back and now receiving tourists as usual. The race will begin from the sacred Gosainkunda Lake and goes downhill through Lauribina, Cholangpati, Chandanbari and Deurali before concluding at Dhunche – the district headquarters of Rasuwa.

The half-marathon, which is open to athletes above 18 years of age, will have two categories – men and female. Winners, first runners-up and second runners-up in both the categories will take home medals, certificates and cash prize of Rs 50,000, Rs 30,000 and Rs 20,000, respectively.

Interested participants can register their name at TAAN Secretariat in Maligaun and TIMS Counter in Satghumti, Thamel. Similarly, participants can register their name by visiting TAAN  Registration fee has been fixed at Rs 5,000 per person which covers two-way transport, all meals and accommodation. TAAN plans to announce the event in time in coming years so as to ensure participation of professional athletes from both and abroad in the event.

 Itinerary:

May 27 – Kathmandu -Dhunche-Chandanbari (Overnight at lodges, tents)

May 28 – Chandanbari-Gosainkunda Lake (Overnight at lodges, tents)

May 29 – Race Flag Off: 7 am from Gosainkunda Helipad

– Closing Ceremony: 11 am, Dhunche

– Lunch: 1 pm

– Departure to Kathmandu: 3 pm

Apart from half-marathon, TAAN is also organizing a short trek in the Langtang-Gosainkunda region for media persons. The main reason behind organizing this trek is to let journalists see the real situation of the Langtang-Gosainkunda region themselves. This will enable them to disseminate message through their respective media that the area is safe like other tourists destinations of the country.TAAN also plans to award the 'best news report' of the event with a cash prize of Rs 10,000. Himalayan Community Project is providing medical support to the event while Langtang, Gosainkunda, Helambu Hotels Concern Committee is the logistics partner. Source by TAAN 

First climbers set foot on top of Everest in 2 years

Nine high-altitude mountain guides reached the top of Mount Everest on Wednesday, the first group to ascent the world’s highest mountain in two years after deadly disasters forced a closure.
The group of nine climbers reached the summit at 5:02 pm, Gyanendra Shrestha, an official at the Department of Tourism, told Post over phone from Everest Base Camp.
The ascent of these  Ice fall Doctors” has opened the door for other climbers to scale the mountain, as it was part of the preparation of the final stretch to the 8,850-metre summit.
Shrestha said around 12 foreign mountaineers are preparing to scale Everest on Thursday. Weather is good so far. If things go as planned, those climbers will be able to reach the summit on Thursday, he said.
As many as 289 climbers are in bid to climb Mount Everest this season. The success rate of reaching the summit stands at 50-60 percent.
Foreign mountaineers will be accompanied by at least 400 Nepali high-altitude guides, hence the world’s tallest mountain is likely to see a footfall of more than 600 individuals this season.
According to Shrestha, Neema Chiri Sherpa, Aang Temba Sherpa, Pasang Tenji Sherpa, Mingma Chiri Sherpa, Gyaljen Dorje Sherpa, Aang Gyaljen Sherpa, Mingma Sherpa, Lakpa Chiri Sherpa and Shere Gyaljen Sherpa reached the top of Mount Everest on Wednesday.
A massive avalanche near Everest Base Camp in April 2014 killed 16 Nepali guides, following which expeditions were called off.
But on May 23, Chinese climber Wang Jing reached the summit of Everest. Her ascent, however, had sparked controversy as she had bypassed the Khumbu Ice fall on a helicopter.
The government had extended the Everest climbing permits until 2019 of those climbers who were forced to abandon the mission in 2014.
That year, 326 mountaineers had received climbing permits.
But again in 2015, avalanches set off by the devastating April 25 quake killed 19 climbers, including high-altitude guides and helpers at the base camp and the Khumbu Ice fall region, forcing authorities to shut down the expedition for a second year in a row.
There were no Everest bids in the spring of 2015.
This time, the government has extended permits to climb Everest for two years until 2017.
Last year, 356 mountaineers received climbing permits.
The government has collected more than Rs 210 million in royalties by issuing Everest permits this season

The government charges $11,000 per foreign climber. Source by Kathmandu post  

Tenboche monastery (khumbu)

                                    Tenboche monastery (khumbu)

          Tengboche monastery is perched on a high ridge across the canyon from khunde. This is the leading Buddhist center in the khumbu and its location is one of the most scenic. Pines azaleas and colorful mountain Rhododendrons surround the attractive gompa ( monastery) which rests amid stunning views of  Everest Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Tengboche itself features a rest house and a number of lodges and camping sites.

       From Tengboche you can continue on to pheriche kala pattar and the hamlet of Gorakshep. From here the site of Everest base camp is easily accessible, as is the summit of kala pattar (5545m) from which much of mt Everest is clearly visible. However you must take time to properly acclimatize as the altitude gains are rapid.