A citizen scientist chasing a tiger

He can install the camera in 20/25 minutes. Where is that? He also easily traps tigers in camera traps. Naresh Tharu, 28, of Madhuvan Municipality-2, Ammarpur, Bardia, is a youth who has become adept at setting tiger camera traps.

Naresh is everyone's choice when it comes to camera trapping for tigers. He has reached from Ilam to Dadeldhura just to trap the camera. First camera trapping in 2015 at Bardia Park. At the same time, camera trapping was also done in Banke Park. In both the places, the tigers were caught on camera, adding to their excitement. After the male tiger was trapped in the first attempt, he was happy to see the picture. "People from different countries come to see tigers in Nepal after spending millions," he said, "we are working to capture those tigers on camera."

In 2015, he also conducted camera trapping in Khata, Barandabhar, Laljhadi, Basanta, Kamdi and Karnali biological routes. In 2017, camera trapping was also done in Danda and Deohad Municipality near Butwal Bazaar in Rupandehi. However, only the leopard fell. In 2024, he camera-trapped two tigers in Churevan near Gabdahwa in Buddhabhumi municipality of Kapilvastu. One was a male and the sex of the other could not be identified. But for the first time in Kapilvastu, two tigers were seen at the same place, he also set a record.

participated in the National Tiger Count in 2018. Conducted camera trapping and monitoring in Parsa, Chitwan and Shuklaphata Parks. He stayed in one place for three weeks and went to three places. Similarly, he has also conducted an occupancy survey from Nawalparasi to Makwanpur to find out the condition of tigers and other animals. In 2018, Naresh was also active in the study and research of tigers, small mammals, reptiles and butterflies in Jhapa, Ilam, Morang, Sindhuli, Palpa, Rupandehi and Chure areas of Kapilvastu. In

2020, he participated in the camera trapping conducted in the Mahabharata area of ​​Dadeldhura. At that time, a tiger was found at an altitude of more than 2,500 meters. Which was seen for the first time in Dadeldhura. He also helps wildlife scholars in their studies and research. For some time, he was also involved in the research of Shashank Poudel, who was studying leopards in Palpa, Syangja, Parbat, Kaski, Lamjung and Tanahun.

Camera trapping was done in Chitwan, Parsa and Shuklaphanta during the national tiger census in 2022. In 2022, he also went for camera trapping for tigers in Doti's Mahabharata area and forest. In 2022, he went camera trapping in the southern part of Dang. A survey of forest dogs (Dhole) was conducted in Chitwan Park. Staying in the forest for 45 days, he also helped in the research of the forest dog, which is included in the list of rare wild animals of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is estimated that there are around 200 forest dogs in Nepal. This dog is the most endangered mammal species of the canids family found all over the world. The last time he did camera trapping work for tigers in Someshwar Corridor for 45 days in 2023. He has captured more than 42 tigers so far in

camera trapping. Up to three tigers have been trapped in one camera. At the age of 14, Naresh joined the CBAPU (Chori Saki Control Yuva Mobilization Abhiyan) while studying in Class 8. "It was then that I came to know about the importance of wildlife and birds," he said. Went to villages and schools to conduct interactive seminars. Conducted a conservation campaign. Motivated and organized the students towards conservation. After knowing, he moved on. They started patrolling day and night to control poachers. After this, he got the opportunity of camera trapping from the park and NTNC. "Now I have got the opportunity to reach all over the country from the plains to the mountains," says Naresh, "I have reached here with my interest and hard work."

He is studying graduation at Bagnaha in Bardia and has reached at least 30 districts for conservation work. In 2015, Naresh barely survived being chased by a rhinoceros with a baby during a tiger census at Baghoura in Bardia Park. In 2022, while camera trapping a leopard in Syangja, he was unable to find a way out after being surrounded by wildfires. "We spent 4 hours trying to find a way out with smoke and fire all around," he said.

He says that in some cases, he takes a very big risk. Looking at the tiger caught in the camera trap, he separates not only males, females and children, but also the old and the adults. While working, he has learned a lot about tigers and leopards. They distinguish between tigers and leopards by looking at their steps. Males can also tell the age of females by measuring their steps. Respecting his interest in studying and working on tigers, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Nepal has given him the title of 'Citizen Scientist'. He lived close to nature since childhood. There was chaos. I was able to enjoy this," says Naresh, "that's why I want to mingle with tigers."