Army Honoured by WWF for Conservation Efforts

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Nepal has honoured the Nepali Army (NA) with a special award in recognition of its nearly 50 years of contribution to nature and environmental conservation.

The honour was presented on Tuesday during an event marking the 33rd anniversary of the WWF Nepal, acknowledging the NA’s significant role in wildlife and environmental protection.

Earlier, six units of the NA had received the ‘Abraham Conservation Award’ for helping Nepal achieve zero-poaching years in 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019.

Likewise, Bardia National Park, which had previously won the ‘Double Tiger Award’, was also specially recognized this year.

The NA has been formally deployed for national park protection since 2032 BS.

Currently, it is responsible for safeguarding 12 national parks, one wildlife reserve and one hunting reserve through multiple battalions and conservation units.

More than 1,000 army personnel are mobilized in these areas, according to the NA.
The NA stated that 116 personnel have lost their lives while carrying out conservation duties under challenging conditions.

As a result of these conservation efforts, Nepal’s tiger population has increased from 121 in 2009 to 355, while the population of one-horned rhinos has risen from 400 in 2005 to 752, reported the WWF Nepal. (RSS)