The Wildlife Watch Program was initiated to generate awareness of wildlife conservation among journalists, to monitor wildlife trade and to promote wildlife preservation. It is worth recalling here that the wildlife resources are broadly well protected with 16 percent of the total area of the country allocated for 8 national parks, 4 wildlife reserves, 3 conservation areas and one hunting reserve. Among them, two national parks are listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site and one wildlife reserve is recognized as a Ramsar site. Despite these reservations, the government is found often failing to properly manage these protected areas and to fulfill the obligations under international treaties like CITES, Ramsar Convention, Convention of Biodiversity and World Heritage Site. This group has helped the government to fulfill its commitment not only to the international community but also to the local communities.

The wildlife group had proven its worth back in 1997 when it raised the question of the non-transparent export of the baby rhinos to the London Zoo. Similarly, it also brought the issue of illegal trade in wild birds in public attention. In one meeting held on 26 March 1997, it was revealed how a cross-border bird trafficking was taking place. It was pointed out that the Indian birds were smuggled in Pakistan through Nepal under the protection and patronage of powerful politicians.

On the disclosure of this illegal trade, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation instructed the customs offices at Birgunj and Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu to seize the bird Despite the public protest, the government sent the rhinos to London. consignments. The action lowered the trafficking of endangered birds but could not eliminate it totally.

Fur trading is illegal but its business was going on with complete impunity in Kathmandu market. Materials made out of skins of endangered species were openly sold in the streets. The wildlife group held a meeting to highlight it and indeed succeeded in controlling it to a large extent with the official enforcement of the laws prohibiting the trade. Some journalists have developed specialization and provided fair amount of coverage of this subject.

The group is active in holding programs to highlight the issue from time to time. In this connection, an interaction program on “The Status of Wildlife Conservation in Nepal and Relevance of Wildlife Week” was conducted on April 12 2004. The group also organized a program on “Illegal Wildlife Trade in Nepal”. A report entitled “Role of Media in Wildlife Conservation in Nepal” pertains to a survey on media on wildlife during the year 2003.