18 Chait, Thirteenth. A strict crackdown has been initiated against the activities of picking and breaking branches of Laliguras in Tinjure-Milke-Jalajle (TMJ) region of eastern Nepal.

After increasing human intervention during the flowering season of guras started to affect the biodiversity and natural structure, the community forests have tightened the monitoring and implemented the penalty system.

The Tinjure-Milke-Jalaj region is known as the ‘Capital of Gurans’, extending from about 1,700 meters to 5,000 meters above sea level. Every year, with the onset of spring, this region, which is covered with red, pink and white flowers, receives a significant influx of domestic and Indian tourists. However, along with this tourist activity, the tendency of uncontrollably picking flowers, breaking branches and causing damage to the forest area has increased, and the conservation challenge has increased.

According to Indra Bahadur Khadka, Chairman of Chaitre Community Forest, strict measures have been taken to protect the cattle. “We have made arrangements to pay fines to those who pick trees and break branches,” he said. According to him, to prevent indiscriminate use, regulation has also been started in the production of juice from gurans.

According to him, regulation has also been started in activities like juice production to prevent abuse of gurans.

Out of the 32 species found in Nepal, about 28 species of cranes are found in the TMJ region. These plants of red, white, pink, yellow and rare species have been playing an important role in providing habitat for wildlife and birds as well as soil conservation, conservation of water resources and carbon sequestration. But due to indiscriminate picking and physical damage, problems have started to appear in its reproduction.

The local level has also increased initiatives for protection. According to Devendra Khadka, Ward President of Laliguran Municipality-7, water supply to the forest, landslide control and forest management are being done. He said that efforts have been made to protect various species through Gurans Park constructed in Panchpokhari area.

However, due to problems like forest encroachment, road expansion, wood and firewood theft and parasite attacks, the habitat of Gurans is shrinking. There is a risk that this will affect both tourism and the local economy in the long run.

Recently held in Basantpur, the ‘Symposium on Environment-based Tourism Management and Laliguras Conservation Plan Design’ has also concluded that a strict policy is needed for the conservation of Laliguras. The participants in the conference have agreed to take strict action against the activities of tree cutting, branch breaking and damage to the forest area.

Forestry and environment expert Dr. Naveen Bhattarai, while discussing the problems seen in Gurans, its impact, affected areas and possible solutions, said that it is worrying that the species of Gurans are disappearing in the ‘capital of Gurans’.

According to Tulsi Sangraula, President of the Community Forest Federation of Koshi Province, without the conservation of guras, both the environment and tourism here are at risk, so the active role of the community is mandatory.