ní pō ěr尼泊尔yuán zhù mín原住民zài在yě shēng dòng wù野生动物fēi fǎ非法mào yì贸易zhōng中miàn lín面临kùn jìng困境
Illegal wildlife trade generates huge profits every year, with many animals being transported to China and Southeast Asia for traditional medicine or food.
Nepal is an important route for wildlife smuggling.
Although the government protects animals like tigers and rhinos, many lesser-known animals are still traded illegally.
Nepal has strict laws; hunting or selling protected animals like pangolins results in heavy penalties.
However, many of those caught are indigenous people who are just trying to earn extra money to live, not major criminals.
Many indigenous people do not realize these animals are protected.
Researchers have found that indigenous people are vulnerable to exploitation by criminal gangs due to poverty and lack of job opportunities.
Climate change also increases contact between humans and wildlife, raising the risk of disease transmission.
Some communities now increase income by protecting animals and developing ecotourism, such as building pangolin trails in community forests in Kathmandu, attracting tourists and creating new jobs for locals.
Education and new lifestyles can help indigenous people reduce involvement in illegal trade and protect wildlife and the environment.