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Saving wildlife starts with people

ZSL is working with local communities in Nepal to help build sustainable futures – and protect the wildlife around them

Written by Laura Mullan

The idea of people and animals living side by side is idyllic. You might imagine luscious forests with elephants munching on leaves as people walk past going about their business. But, in reality, life in the borderlands can be tough. In Nepal, communities living on the edge of national parks are doing just that: living on the edge – when a herd of elephants tramples precious crops or a tiger attacks livestock, families lose the little they have.

Families are ready to lift themselves out of poverty, build better lives, and cherish the forests they love

Poverty and unemployment force many people into the forests, risking their lives to gather firewood and graze cattle. In doing so, they damage the fragile habitats around them, and the relationship between people and animals is now being pushed to breaking point, with ecosystems left hanging in the balance.

It’s not the peaceful oasis you imagine but, with a helping hand, things can change. Families are ready to lift themselves out of poverty, build better lives, and cherish the forests they love.

Change for good

International conservation charity ZSL is working with communities to set up sustainable ways to make a living. By starting up dairies, tailor shops, beauticians, guesthouses and eco-tours, people are no longer forced to rely on the forest’s resources, giving it space to regrow. And when the forest flourishes, local wildlife like elephants, rhinos and tigers return, helping the ecosystems to thrive.

Let’s work for wildlife

With your support ZSL can help even more people create independent livelihoods and protect wildlife in Nepal – and extend this work to Kenya. Give before 31 December 2019 and the UK government will match every pound donated, up to £2million, doubling the difference you can make to people and endangered animals.

What’s more, with starter loans, skill training and new fencing to protect cattle and crops, these communities are empowered to build better futures both for themselves and for the wildlife around them. Your donations will help wildlife through science, education and conservation whilst matched funding from the UK government will help communities in Nepal and Kenya to build sustainable livelihoods, escape poverty and protect their wildlife.

How can a beautician save a forest?

“My name is Rita Timilsina and I’m 24 years old. I grew up in Chuchekhola in Nepal, just five minutes from the forest. It was hard for my parents to feed me, my brother and sisters. It was difficult for us to meet even our most basic needs.

My dad had a long-term illness and there was pressure on my mum to find agricultural work to provide. A lot of the time there was no work so we, like lots of other people from the village, would have to go into the forest to take firewood and anything we could to sell.

Unemployment has always been a problem here — but ZSL is helping to change this. They helped me and my sister set up our own beauty salon and become self-reliant.

I also help plant trees in the forest. Together, as a community, we can help protect it. We don’t have to sell its resources anymore. The forest is where we get oxygen from, it gives us a clean and healthy environment. It’s our source of water and air. It helps prevent landslides and floods. When I’m in the forest I feel like I'm in heaven.

I'm being self-reliant and building my future – and I can train lots more people too.”