Management Plan for Chitwan National Park and It’s Buffer Zone 2013-2017 CHITWAN NATIONAL PARK AND IT’S BUFFER ZONE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2013-2017 Government of Nepal Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Chitwan National Park Office Kasara, Chitwan - i - Management Plan for Chitwan National Park and It’s Buffer Zone 2013-2017 Management Plan for Chitwan National Park and It’s Buffer Zone 2013-2017 - ii - Management Plan for Chitwan National Park and It’s Buffer Zone 2013-2017 Management Plan for Chitwan National Park and It’s Buffer Zone 2013-2017 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Chitwan National Park (CNP), a world heritage property, is the hotspot for the biodiversity conservation in Nepal. The park, which constitutes an important component of Terai Arc Landscape, is among the best managed parks in the world. It has Beeshazari Lake, a Ramsar enlisted site in its buffer zone (BZ). The park is home to second largest population of Greater One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in the world, a prime habitat for the viable source population of Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris) which is among few sites that holds more than 100 individuals and a refuge for the remnant population of critically endangered Gharial Crocodile (Gavialis gangeticus). Chitwan National Park at present faces several complex challenges which need to be addressed carefully for biodiversity conservation in general and ensure viable population of the species of conservation significance in particular. Poaching, human-wildlife conflict, habitat management, orphan animal management, sustainable eco-tourism and infrastructure development have been identified as the major issues of concern. This management plan is expected to address some of these pertinent issues. Current management plan (2013-2017) is the continuation of the previous management plan (2006- 2011) developed through numerous interactions and consultation meetings with stakeholders and key organizations, field works and observations, central and local level workshops followed by expert reviews. Policy guidance for the management plan is derived from the National Biodiversity Strategy (2002), three year interim plan (2009-2012), and the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) Strategic Plan (2004- 14). The plan is prepared for conservation, management and utilization of the park and buffer zone resources in scientific and participatory approach with due consideration of its significance and integrity for human well-being. The management objectives are: i. To protect and conserve biodiversity with special focus on nationally protected and globally threatened wildlife species; ii. To manage terrestrial and aquatic wildlife habitat to maintain ecological functions and processes; iii. To regulate and promote sustainable eco-tourism maintaining wilderness and cultural heritage; iv. To enhance public stewardship on biodiversity conservation by increasing awareness, minimizing human-wildlife conflicts and improving livelihood of people; and v. To strengthen institutional capacity through research, capacity building, coordination and collaboration. Five broad thematic areas recognized in the management plan are: Protection and conservation of biodiversity, habitat management, eco-tourism, buffer zone management and conservation awareness, and research and capacity enhancement. Special programmes on species conservation have also been formulated focusing on rhino, tiger and gharial crocodile. Plans have been made not only to suitably manage captive breeding and orphanage centre but also to reintroduce/translocate some wildlife species, viz. wild water buffalo, swamp deer and rhinoceros. Major programmes outlined in the management plan include anti-poaching operations and surveillance, grassland and wetland management, basic physical infrastructure construction, eco-tourism promotion, community development, public awareness, monitoring, research and institutional strengthening. Total five-year required budget for the implementation of the plan is NPR 77,63,09,118 (US$ 97,03,864) excluding CNP operation costs. - iii - Management Plan for Chitwan National Park and It’s Buffer Zone 2013-2017 Allocation of NPR 24,41,16,387 (US$ 30,51,455) for buffer zone management programme (excluding awareness costs) for five years has been included in this total budget. The implementation of this plan is expected to help in better protection and conservation, management of CNP/BZ resources, promotion of eco-tourism, improvement of public relations and human well being, and enhanced capacity of CNP staffs and BZ communities. - iv - Management Plan for Chitwan National Park and It’s Buffer Zone 2013-2017 FOREWORD Established in 1973, Chitwan National Park (CNP) is the first protected area of the country. The park is managed for conserving world’s second largest population of Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, source population of Royal Bengal Tiger and remnant population of Critically endangered Gharial Crocodile. Being endowed with the important component of Terai Arc Landscape, the park comprises of one of the 200 Global Eco-regions designated by WWF. CNP has been enlisted in the World Heritage site in 1984 by UNESCO for its outstanding natural features as defined by three criteria it meets. The Buffer Zone (BZ) of the park consists of Beeshazari Lake, a Ramsar site of international importance. The buffer zone of the park has been gazetted in 1996 with the objective of gaining people’s participation in managing park resources for biodiversity conservation and improving livelihood opportunities of the buffer zone communities. The provision of buffer zone is the outcome of fourth legislative amendment of the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973 (2029 BS). CNP has a long management history and it has experienced several management models right from its establishment to the current stage. Several experiences have been gained with these attempts to solve the pertinent problems of conservation and management. These experiences have not only proved park management effectiveness but also provided a clear guidance for management of other protected areas of the country. A comprehensive management plan for Chitwan National Park and it’s Buffer Zone is very important in addressing the emerging issues and challenges and for translating the legislative provisions into action. This management plan (2013-2017) is the continuation of previous management plans prepared for CNP and BZ. This plan has opened up an avenue and paved the way ahead for conserving core values of biodiversity, promoting sustainable and wise use principles of natural resources, including wetlands, regulating tourism and fulfilling the development aspirations of local communities in the buffer zone. With the endorsement of this Plan, there will be better management of the park and its buffer zone. The Management Plan of CNP and BZ is an undertaking of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. It is an outcome of the hard work of Management Plan Preparation Team and also an example of technical and financial cooperation of other organizations. I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the support extended by conservation partners and other stakeholders, including buffer zone communities and specially appreciate the cooperation extended by National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), Biodiversity Conservation Project (BCC) for making financial arrangements for Plan preparation and conducting its Initial Environmental Examination (IEE). Besides, a large number of professionals, practitioners, academicians and other stakeholders have made valuable contributions during its preparation. The Plan formulation process has adopted a participatory approach and followed the existing format of the management plan endorsed by the Department. I am confident that this Plan is based on a holistic approach of protected area management and biodiversity conservation integrating the whole landscape of park and buffer zone and their inter- linkages. It is a comprehensive plan that takes into account from the policy issues to practical actions for the conservation and management of park resources. The Plan has logically presented the background information, management practices, methodology, issues, objectives, strategies and activities, five- - v - Management Plan for Chitwan National Park and It’s Buffer Zone 2013-2017 year action programmes, and essential budget for the implementation of CNP and BZ activities. I am confident that this will be an important milestone for scientific management of Chitwan National Park and its buffer zone. At this juncture, I would request all conservation and development partners to join hands to successfully implement the Plan so that the twin objectives of conservation and development are fully realized. At last, I would like to thank all the persons, organizations and stakeholders who extended their support and cooperation to bring this document to this final stage. ………………………... Tika Ram Adhikari Director General Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Babarmahal, Kathmandu - vi - Management Plan for Chitwan National Park and It’s Buffer Zone 2013-2017 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Although the preparation of the management plan for Chitwan National Park and its buffer zone is complete and available in this final stage, I strongly believe that this plan is morally incomplete unless I acknowledge its contributors. The management plan is the outcome of continued support and cooperation