Nepal’s shifting biodiversity research landscape: Interview with Karan Bahadur Shah

Veteran Nepali researcher Professor Karan Bahadur Shah highlights the shift from manual data recording and fieldwork in the past to the ease and efficiency of modern digital tools, though he notes increased competition and focus on quantity over quality.There are more complex and extensive funding opportunities now, with advanced technology like satellite tags improving research capabilities. However, misuse of technology, such as spreading false information and manipulating data, is a growing concern.He argues that attributing events to climate change is challenging due to the lack of long-term data in Nepal. He believes that Nepal’s forests and lack of large polluting industries may reduce its vulnerabilities to climate change.

KATHMANDU — Professor Karan Bahadur Shah is a distinguished researcher from Nepal, renowned for his extensive work in herpetology, the study of amphibians and reptiles. His career spans several decades and includes significant contributions to the understanding of Nepal’s rich biodiversity.

Shah’s academic journey began at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu, where he earned his Zoology degrees and later became a faculty member. His interest in herpetology led him to conduct pioneering research on the amphibians and reptiles of Nepal. Over the years, he has discovered and documented numerous species, contributing valuable knowledge to science.

In addition to his academic and research accomplishments, Shah has been actively involved in various conservation initiatives. He has worked with various national and international organizations to promote the conservation of Nepal’s wildlife. Currently, he serves as the president of the NGO Bird Conservation Nepal.

Throughout his career, Prof. Shah has also been dedicated to education and outreach. He has trained numerous students and young researchers, many of whom have gone on to make their own contributions to biodiversity research and conservation. His passion for teaching and mentorship has helped to build a new generation of scientists and conservationists in Nepal.

Karan Bahadur Shah is a distinguished researcher from Nepal, renowned for his extensive work in herpetology, the study of amphibians and reptiles. Image courtesy of Karan Bahadur Shah.

Mongabay’s Abhaya Raj Joshi talked to Shah about biodiversity research in Nepal, its past, present and future.

Mongabay: Let’s start by reflecting on biodiversity research in Nepal before the digital age. How were things different back then compared with now?

Karan Bahadur Shah: These days, things are much easier, but back then, recording data took time and effort. People were more honest, and many were very knowledgeable, sticking closely to their work. There was a strong sense of duty influenced by religious beliefs.

For example, even hunters were taught not to kill female animals, and experienced hunters would avoid eating certain meats. The population was smaller, and needs were minimal. Now, there’s a greater passion for discovery, while in the past, it was more about duty. Law enforcement was stricter back then, and society reacted strongly to crimes. Today, there are more facilities and competition, with everyone wanting to be an “expert,” even if they don’t fully understand the term. There’s more focus on quantity over quality now.

Mongabay: How have funding opportunities for research evolved?

Karan Bahadur Shah: Funding is more complex and extensive now. When we started, places like Chitwan didn’t have advanced tools like satellite tagging. We used radio transmitters from institutions like the Smithsonian. Radio collars had to be operated manually, and if animals moved to remote areas, we lost the signal. Now, satellite tags can be monitored remotely from Kathmandu, greatly improving the process. Technology and funding opportunities have significantly advanced, enhancing research capabilities. However, technology can also be misused.

Mongabay: Can you give an example of technology misuse?

Karan Bahadur Shah: Misuse includes spreading false information and manipulating data. When people control information, they can mislead others. Good work gets reported and published, but some people publish research without actually conducting it. In the past, it took years to publish an article in a reputable journal, often taking two years of effort.

Now, some online journals might charge for publication and publish poorly conducted research or fabrications. Research ethics have declined due to the financial incentives, leading to cut-throat competition. But ethical researchers still exist.

Good journals take time to publish articles. For instance, a student of mine worked on a bat project and submitted it to a reputable journal, which required 4-5 rounds of revisions before publication. I also review research from other countries, like Pakistan and Israel, mostly voluntarily.

Karan Bahadur Shah on a field visit with students. Image courtesy of Karan Bahadur Shah.

Mongabay: What motivates you to review others’ papers without monetary benefit?

Karan Bahadur Shah: Reviewing papers from places like Pakistan on human-leopard conflict or salamanders in Israel helps me learn about global scientific advances and expand my knowledge. Sometimes, it even inspires further research.

Mongabay: What qualities define good research?

Karan Bahadur Shah: That’s tough to answer. Let me give an example. A researcher claimed to study the impact of the 2015 earthquake on an animal but never actually visited the field.

In academia, like journalism, peers often know what others are working on. So, domain knowledge and staying updated are crucial to assess research quality. Unfortunately, journalists don’t always have access to this information but should critically evaluate research and ask questions.

Mongabay: You’ve been saying there’s a tendency to attribute many things to climate change these days. Is that so?

Karan Bahadur Shah: The problem with attributing things to climate change is the lack of written records. Human memory is unreliable over long periods. Sometimes people remember winter rainfall; sometimes they don’t. It’s hard to attribute events to climate change in Nepal. I’m not denying climate change on a global scale, but we lack data in Nepal. Animals and plants adapt well to gradual changes. While some say Nepal is highly vulnerable to climate change, I believe our forests and lack of large polluting industries reduce our vulnerabilities.

Mongabay: When discussing gradual temperature increases, we often use the example of a frog in a saucepan with water. As the temperature rises slowly, the frog doesn’t realize it until it’s too late. Does this apply to other animals and plants?

Karan Bahadur Shah: In my decades of studying frogs, I’ve never heard that example. I don’t think the frog would stay and die. Their thin skin can sense slight temperature changes. Extreme weather events may have lasting impacts, but nature adapts to gradual changes.

Mongabay: Let’s talk about the focus on charismatic species in research.

Karan Bahadur Shah: Comparing a tiger with a frog, both deserve protection. Tigers are now limited to a few countries, while frogs are everywhere. Conservation investors prefer tigers because they’re rare and admired. People fund tiger initiatives due to their likability. Gharials [Gavialis gangeticus] and Bengal floricans [Houbaropsis bengalensis] are more endangered than tigers, but they don’t receive as much attention or funding.

An adult and juvenile gharial on a riverbank. Nepal’s river are home to around 200 individuals of the critically endangered species. Image by Goodfriend19 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Mongabay: What’s the most encouraging development for researchers in Nepal?

Karan Bahadur Shah: The recognition researchers are getting is encouraging. Three people, including this year’s winner Raju Acharya, have won the Whitley Award. Other species like pangolins [Pholidota], red pandas [Ailurus fulgens] and owls are also getting global recognition, not just tigers.

Mongabay: Any final words?

Karan Bahadur Shah: Research in Nepal is changing rapidly, with more people engaging and bringing in international funds. But there’s a clear challenge in maintaining ethical practices and contributing quality research. We need to uphold the ethics we valued in the past. Technology evolves, but the fundamentals of research should remain constant.

Banner image: Two common male rat snakes in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Image by ChillionaireRohitgiri via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

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