Kanchanpur: Environmental protection campaigners have highlighted escalating challenges to biodiversity conservation, attributing these to forest fires, encroachment, deforestation, poaching, and smuggling.

These concerns were raised during a training program on minimizing the impacts of climate change, organized by Krishnabaijanath Multiple Campus of Shuklaphanta Municipality-10, Jhalari, to commemorate the International Day for Biodiversity.

Bhim Prasad Kandel, Chief of the Division Forest Office in Kanchanpur, emphasized the alarming decline in forest areas due to rising human needs. He noted that Kailali and Kanchanpur districts have the highest rates of forest encroachments in the country, complicating efforts to conserve wildlife habitats and wetlands.

"The impacts of climate change are becoming more apparent as global temperatures rise," Kandel remarked. "Species traditionally found only in the Terai are now being observed in the hilly regions."

Siddharaj Bhatta, Chair of the Campus Management Committee, underscored the importance of raising awareness about biodiversity conservation at the school level. Bhavraj Niraula, Deputy Chief of the campus, called for greater attention to protecting grazing areas, which are vital for both the local community's livelihood and the wildlife in natural habitats, including parks and protected areas.

Sher Bahadur Saud, a member of the Campus Management Committee, advocated for the use of renewable energy to reduce reliance on forests. The training program was financially supported by the University Grants Commission.