Nepal's Protectors Now Its Poachers: The High Cost of Indigenous Involvement in Wildlife Crime

Nepal is a critical hub for the illegal wildlife trade. The country is both a source and a major transit route for poached animals. This long-standing problem has a complex and troubling dimension: indigenous communities are often deeply involved. These communities have traditional knowledge of forests and wildlife. Authorities say some now use that knowledge for poaching and smuggling. They take high-value items like tiger skins, pangolin scales, and rhino horns. Their involvement comes at a severe cost. When caught, these indigenous poachers face harsh prison sentences. Their communities lose guardians of natural heritage. Experts state this shifts conservation efforts from partnership to policing. International crime networks supply weapons and organize the trade. They profit most, while local recruits take the greatest legal risk. This dynamic traps vulnerable communities in a destructive cycle, undermining both wildlife and indigenous futures.