Lalitpur, Feb. 17: To
share ideas on 'Human-nonhuman primates' coexistence' on a global scale, and
update the world about the distinct nature of Nepali monkeys, a 4-day Satellite
International Symposium on Asian Primates has begun here.
Vice-President Nanda
Bahadur Pun inaugurated the conference at Hotel Himalaya on Saturday.
The biological
structure and behavioural characteristics of Nepali monkeys varies according to
the ecological differences which is a great matter of interest for the
scientist and researchers around the world, said Scientist and Chair of the
Local Organising Committee Dr. Mukesh Kumar Chalise.
"This is the first
of its kind conference in Nepal although such seminars had been organised in
other countries. We aim at sharing the knowledge about the primates generated
in Nepal and around the globe," he said.
About 58 scientists and
researchers working on monkeys and mountain areas in Nepal, Japan, Indonesia,
the United States of America, China, Thailand, Bhutan, Bangladesh and India are
participating in the symposium that will deliberate on about three dozen
research efforts.
Dr. Chalise said that the
scientists are curious to know the reasons behind the differences seen in
Nepali monkeys. Even the Langur and rhesus differ from the east to the west of
Nepal and scientists are conducting studies to test the hypothesis whether the
differences in the same species of monkeys are because of the three large river
basins: Koshi, Gandaki and Karnali.
Similarly, a young
researcher, Pooja Upadhyaya is studying mother-child relations in Assamese and
Rhesus monkeys.
Dr. Chalise said that
Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) and Ministry of
Forest are receiving complaints of crop loss by monkey from different districts
of Nepal, including the Kathmandu Valley.
"For the
human-monkey coexistence, it is urgently needed to find out the causes of
conflicts and potential management methods," he said.
Director General of
DNPWC Man Bahadur Khadka said that the symposium on Asian Primates was very
unique and significant as it focused on updating researches on the primates of
Asian countries and initiating the findings to policy making for wildlife
conservation.
"The pivotal
concern of the symposium is to intensify the exchange of research information
in regards to primates' conservation among biologists, academics, governmental
and non-governmental organisations, individuals and other stakeholders,"
he said.
According to him, the
Nepali wildlife was facing challenges in management and rescue of injured,
orphan and solitary animal and invasion from invasive species.
He also pointed towards
the need of wildlife hospital, rescue centre, political will for conservation
and balance between conservation and development.
The conference will run
till February 20.
Published in The Rising Nepal on 18 February 2018.
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