Himalayan black bear (Ursus thibetanus) has a wide-spread geographic distribution range, with majority of the population residing in Asia. It is listed as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List and Appendix I of CITES. In Nepal it is protected under National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 of the Government of Nepal. It is highly threatened due to poaching and illegal trade of its body parts, conflict with locals, habitat loss and fragmentation. Due to its large body size and aggressive nature, it is often referred to as “Black Giant of the Forest”.
The Upper Karnali Landscape is the largest continuous non-protected area in Nepal, covering an area of about 6000 sq. km. It is remote and rich in biodiversity, providing an important basis for the rural economy. Agriculture is subsistence-based and supported by livestock husbandry since only 1% of the total land is suitable for farming. As a result, local communities are highly dependent on biodiversity for their livelihoods and income generation.
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