Wild cat on postal stamp

Himalayan News Service

KATHMANDU: On the occasion of ‘Year of Tiger 2010’, the government has printed two million five rupee postal tickets to create awareness about the endangered species.

“Protection of such an endangered species is the responsibility of all. The government is dedicated to flora and fauna conservation. The Tiger Postal Stamp reinforces Nepal’s commitment towards biodiversity conservation and showcases the country’s leadership in conservation of the species and its habitat to the world,” said Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, applying the first cancellation.

As consumption of five rupees postal stamps is highest, it was chosen because it would reach the larger number of users, said the Department of Postal Services.

The natural habitat of tigers has shrunk to seven per cent from the original habitat in a century and its numbers are down to 3200 from 100,000.

The year 2010 is being celebrated as the ‘Year of the Tiger’ and various activities are being organised to raise awareness and achieve the goal of doubling the number of the rare wild animal by 2022. This was announced by the governments of all thirteen tiger range countries including Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Russia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and North Korea.

With the aim of conserving the wild species, the government signed a memorandum with China and India a few months ago.

A high-level National Tiger Conservation Committee under the chairmanship of the prime minister and Banke National Park, a good habitat of tigers, were established this year. There are 155 wild adult tigers in Nepal. Poaching and illegal trade of their body parts are the immediate threats along with habitat loss.