I received a Rufford Small Grant for the Crocodile Conservation Awareness Project (CCAP) in October 2006. The grant has important role for me to be involved in the field of conservation. I was MSc. Forestry student when I received the RSG grant and thus, was in early stage of my career development.

During the implementation of the project activities, I personally got chance to have interaction with many local, national and international organizations and people from different sectors (conservationists, journalists, local people and leaders etc.). The experiences from this project have refined my knowledge and skill as well.

To restore the rapid dwindling population of crocodile, a breeding center was established in 1978 in Kasara inside the Chitwan national park. Although crocodiles were successfully bred and released, there had been no attempts to educate people on the values of their conservation. Fishermen viewed them as competitors for a limited resource needed to feed people. They became entangled in nets and either drowned or were killed by fishermen. Perception of tribal people about medicinal values of crocodile led to egg collection and slaughter of crocodiles continued. Habitat degradation along floodplain and river banks due to intensive agricultural practices led to further depletion of habitat required to sustain viable crocodile populations in Nepal

In that situation, CCAP is the first project in Nepal that is totally devoted to educate the school students and local people on the values of maintaining riverine habitat and the important link crocodiles play in healthy wetland ecosystems. Ten crocodile conservation clubs have been formed in ten different schools inside the buffer zone area of Chitwan National Park. Students of these schools as well as surrounding communities have been involved in different programs targeted towards the conservation of overall biodiversity in general and crocodile conservation in particular. The students are found to be an effective means to make aware their family and community on the importance of conservation. Viewing on these aware and motivated students, we can at least expect a bright future of conservation with the active participation of local people. In addition to this, a website (www.crocodilenepal.org) has been designed and hosted to globally disseminate the project activities and the overall efforts/issues of the crocodile conservation in Nepal.

Since most of the club members leave the school after SLC (School Leaving Certificate) exam, continuity and sustainability of the clubs after the termination of our support is yet to be explored. They need post formation support like institutional development training. In addition to this, it also requires expansion of such programs in other areas (schools) surrounding the crocodile habitat.