Conservation in Conflict

The document examines how the armed conflict in Nepal has led to the deterioration of protected area security, increased poaching of species like the Asian one-horned rhino, and the disruption of NGO activities, while also noting some unexpected forest regeneration in depopulated regions.

• The conflict led to a significant reduction in the security infrastructure of Nepal's protected areas (PAs). Between 2001 and 2002, the number of guard posts across PAs dropped from 112 to 34, representing a 70% reduction.
• Poaching of the Asian one-horned rhino increased significantly following the November 2001 state of emergency. Between April 2002 and March 2003, 31 rhinos were poached in the Royal Chitwan National Park (RCNP) and Royal Bardia National Park (RBNP).
• The conflict has negatively impacted the funding of critical biodiversity projects, such as the Kasara Gharial Breeding Center in RCNP, which faced a 50% budget cut due to overall reductions in the environment sector budget.
• Community forestry programs, which had successfully brought approximately one million hectares of forestland under management, are now threatened by both government taxation and Maoist takeovers. In the Achham district, Maoists allegedly seized 210 out of 255 community forests.
• The illegal trade of yartsa gumba, a high-value medicinal herb, is being exploited by both Maoist rebels and government security forces, with seasonal revenues estimated to exceed NRs 20 million.
• Some regions, specifically the Kabhre and Sindhupalchok districts, have experienced positive environmental side-effects including forest regeneration and the return of wildlife. This is attributed to the out-migration of males fleeing the conflict and the fear of poachers entering forests.
• Conservation and development organizations have faced severe operational challenges, including the looting of offices, extortion of 'donations' by Maoists, and the suspension of activities. In September 2004, the Peace Corps suspended operations in Nepal for the first time in 42 years.
• Tourism in major national parks decreased by an average of about 50% after the November 2001 state of emergency, with Royal Chitwan seeing a 45% decrease in arrivals and a 47% drop in revenue.

APA

Murphy, M. L., Oli, K. P., & Gorzula, S. (2005). Conservation in Conflict. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/security_conservation_nepal.pdf

Chicago

Murphy, Mark L., Krishna Prasad Oli, and Steve Gorzula. Conservation in Conflict. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2005. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/security_conservation_nepal.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Murphy |first1=Mark L. |last2=Oli |first2=Krishna Prasad |last3=Gorzula |first3=Steve |title=Conservation in Conflict |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=October 2005 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/security_conservation_nepal.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{murphy2005conservation, author = {Murphy, Mark L. and Oli, Krishna Prasad and Gorzula, Steve}, title = {{Conservation in Conflict}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2005}, month = oct, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/publications/security_conservation_nepal.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }