Terms of Reference

कार्यक्रमको नाम: घरपालुवा सरकारी हात्ती व्यवस्थापन कार्य योजना निर्माण

Preparation of Government Elephants Management Working Plan for Bardia National Park
Hittisar, Provence-Lumbini Nepal

Prepared by:

Bardia National Park, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Department of National Parks &
Wildlife Conservation

OCTOBER, 2023 (Mansir, 2080)

1. Background
Nepal has biological richness of both the Indo-Malayan and Palaearctic realms, including
endemic Himalayan flora and Fauna. It is estimated 208 mammal species, 893 bird species,
147 reptiles and amphibian's species, 180 species of fish, 640 species of butterfly and over
6,000 species of moth are found in Nepal. However, this diversity is being gradually lost due
to unsustainable utilization of natural resources and faulty land use. So far Government of
Nepal, Ministry of Forests and Environment has established 20 protected areas (PAs) since
1973 in Nepal for the conservation and management of biological diversity (Flora and
Fauna). Protected areas system considered as in-situ conservation of flora and fauna whereas
the Hittisar can be considered as ex-situ conservation of domesticated elephants.

There are fewer than 1000 African elephants in captivity, most of them in Western Zoos.
These constitute only a tiny fraction of Loxodonta species, estimated at fewer than 500,000;
thus, the sustainable management of the captive stock is not of immediate concern. The
IUCN/SSC African Elephant Specialist Group has also indicated that this is not a priority
issue for the conservation of the species. On the other hand, about one -third population of
existing Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) are held in captivity, mostly in the range states,
but also in significant number in zoos, circuses, safari parks and other facilities around the
world. An estimated 14,000-15,000 Elephas maximus are in captivity in the range states
(Sukumar, 2003).

Between 1868 and 1980 the available figures of captures in the Indian sub-continents add up
to 19,000 elephants assuming that an annual average of 400 elephants were captured in
Assam for ten years during the late nineteenth century. Considering the lacunae in data, it is
estimated that between 30,000 and 50,000 elephants would have been captured or killed in
control measures during this period. Elephant population in Sri-Lanka is also seems depleted
drastically through capture and slaughter during the nineteenth century. Nearly 17,000
elephants were captured during 1811-82 in Myanmar. The available figure suggests that over
100,000 elephants have been captured to domesticate in Asia during past century to use it for
draft power and social prestige. Considering the domestication of the elephant set started
about four thousand years ago, anywhere between two and four million elephants may have
been captured by human beings (Sukumar, 1989).
1.1 Domesticated Elephants in Nepal

Captive elephants are enlisted in CITES Appendix II. National Parks and Wildlife
Conservation Acts 1973 also enlisted elephant in “Protected wild animal” list and designated
as ‘Endangered’ species of Nepal. Between 1898 and 1970 there were 31 Government stables
for captive elephants which stretched from Jhapa of Eastern Nepal Terai to Far western
region (JBK 1985 cited in DNPWC 2009). By late 1970, both elephant stables and private
owners declined drastically with loss of forest and the rising cost to up keeping these
domestic elephants. As of now there are six government elephant stables, one each in six
Terai (lowland) protected areas and one Elephant Breeding Center (EBC) was established in
Chitwan with 20 elephants at initiation in 1985.
The recent population of captive elephants in Nepal is about 214 including those of private
owners. The 95 government elephants (32 are male and 63 are female including calves) have
been kept at six Hattisars (stables) of Terai protected areas (Fig 1).

About 50 percent captive government elephants are placed in Chitwan National Park and rest
is placed in other five protected areas. Previously, the total number of Government elephants
at different elephant camps in the country was 77 in all Hattisar, of which, 14 were bulls, 53
were cow and 10 calves were placed. Though there were no more wild captures. Since the
increment in captive stocks was due to infants' birth in captivity. In the meantime, four bull
elephants, 12 cow elephants from India were received in exchange of four rhinoceros.
Objectives of establishment of Hattisars are controlling poaching activities, biodiversity
conservation, captive breeding, and elephant safari to promote Eco-tourism, emergency
evacuation during natural calamities and wildlife research and monitoring. The private
hotels / lodge, NTNC and private owners, working in tourism sector kept 119 captive
elephants (10 are males and 109 are female including calves), marriage and religious
ceremonies, use in special function and festivals, elephant polo and tourism promotion
(Suwal 2003, Gopali 2003, Chalise 2008).

2. Rationale of the working plan of domestic Government elephants

The domesticated elephants Hattisar are situated in Bardia National Park the preliminary
works have been carried out to establish the Hattisar in in BNP. So, it is rationale that a
detailed study for further preparation of working plan of domestic elephants in BNP. There is
not any working plan has been prepared for the any Hattisar in Nepal.
3. Description of the project site
Shivpur Hattissar was established in about 2026 B.S. before Bardia National Park was
established. It has been provided an area of about 2 hectares forest. It is located 4 km south
of Bardia NP HQ and altitude of about 100 meters above sea level. Every year thousands of
Indian and Nepali as well as foreign tourists visit to the Shivapur Hattisar.
4. Objective of the Study

The overall objective of the project is to prepare a working plan for Bardia Hattissar in
Shivapur, Bardia National Park. The specific objectives include:

 To collect baseline information on physical facilities, number of elephants, birth and

death rates
 To carry out the study of the landscape of the area for elephant and staff housing, area
for extension, drinking water, safety and proper utilization of the property
 To assess elephant grazing area within the Bardia National Park
 To evaluate annual biomass consumption by domesticated elephants and explore areas
for the cultivation of fodder and grasses
 To assess staff and elephant related issues and envision with short term, mid-term and
long-term solutions
 To explore the number of elephant out posts and facilities within Bardia National Park
  Prepare a budget for implementation of the plan for 5 years
 Prepare visitor facilities in the Hattisar
 Explore average elephant death and birth rate in the Hattisar since inception
5. Scope of work

In general, the scope of the consulting service includes carry out study of the problems of
Hattisar, but not limited to, the followings:

 Assess water supply scheme and sanitation facilities for the Shivapur Hattisar
 Site selection to establish the Hospital for the domesticated elephants.
 Assess the Floral and Faunal survey of the area.
 Analyze the other facilities feasible to develop in the Shivapur Hattisar.
 Assess the role of conservation Education Centre for the visitors
6. Team Composition

For completing the assigned tasks, the consultant shall provide following personnel with
academic qualifications and professional experiences.

S. Position No. of Minimum Required Qualification

N. Experts Experience

Masters of Science in Natural Resources

Team leader Management/ and minimum 15 years of
1. 1 15 years
(Wildlife expert) experience in wildlife management and Park
recreation
Master’s Degree in Botany\ Forestry or
Botany/Forestry
2. 1 8 years equivalent with minimum 8 year experience
expert
in the relevant field
Master's Degree in Veterinary Science with
3. Veterinary Expert 1 8 years 8 years' experience in elephant handling and
management
Landscape
Master /Bachelor's in Architect /Civil
4. Architect /Civil 1 5 years
Engineering and 10 years' experience
Engineer
5. GIS Expert 1 5 years Master's Degree in relevant field
7. Time Schedule and reporting requirement

The following table gives the indicative time period for the implementation of the activities
mentioned in the TOR. The consultant shall prepare and submit following reports to the client
within the stipulated time.

S.N. Reports Duration No. of Minimum Contents of the Report

copies
1. Inception With in 2 weeks after 2 Detailed work-plan, methodology,
Report issuance of work conceptual plans, evidences of joint site
order visits with stakeholders, staffing and
preliminary findings
2. Brief Report 2 weeks after 2 Preliminary conceptual design of the
submission of working plan of Hattisar. Finalization of
Inception Report the methods of study as mentioned in
the in the TOR.
3. Draft Final 3 weeks after 2 Assessment and Working Plan
Report submission of Brief
Report
4. Final Report 1 week after 5 Final Report as per TOR with one copy
submission of the Color Print including 6 normal sets and
Draft Final Report digital copy in pen drive

8. Payment Schedule

The payment shall be done according to the following module:

i. Inception Report 20% of Total Contract Amount

ii. Brief Report 20% of Total Contract Amount
iii. Draft Final Report and Presentation 40 % of Total Contract Amount
iv. After Submitting the Final Report 20 % of Total Contract Amount
9. Budget

Budget allocated in FY 2080/81 for this study is NRs. 1,000,000.00 including all kind of
taxes.

10. Outline of the Final Report

The comments and suggestions obtained from the reviewers will be incorporated and the final
report will be submitted to the client.

The Study Report will be organized as outlined below:

Abbreviation and Acronyms

Executive summary

Content

1. Background

1.2 Objective of the study

1.3 Structure of the Report

2. Project description
2.1 Review of relevant policies, legislations, and guidelines
2.2 Area description
3. Study methodology
3.1 Desk study and literature review
3.2 Field study and primary data collection
3.3 Data analysis and results
3.4 Study team

4. Results and findings

5. Sharing of the findings through a Seminar meeting
6. Conclusion and recommendations
7. References
8. Appendices