10 Questions w/h The Eastern Herpetologist, Dr Kalu Ram Rai, Professor, Mechi Multiple Campus, Jhapa, Nepal

Dr. Kalu Ram Rai

Prof Dr. Kalu Ram Rai from Mechi Multiple Campus, Jhapa, is a name you’d come across when things are concerned about herpetology of Nepal. With nearly three-decades-long experience in the study of amphibians and reptiles of Nepal, especially in the eastern part of the country, Prof Dr. Rai has made a remarkable discovery of three frogs, one caecilian, one turtle and two reptiles new for Nepal. He is the author of ‘Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Nepal’ published in 2013, a handful of children’s books on the herpetology of Nepal and an honorary member of the non-profits, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Society of Nepal.

I never had the privilege to meet Dr. Rai in person but read about his contribution to the herpetology across the country. Let’s hear straightly from him what he plans forth!

Q1. Namaste Dr. Rai! What are you up to these days? Any specific research plans in the near future?

Namaste, Thank you very much for your nice question! These days I am busy in my own study, reading, and writing. In addition, I am looking after the Turtle Rescue and Conservation Centre, which is running in the collaboration of ARCO-Nepal and SUMMEF-Nepal at Budhoholi within the premises of Sukani Martyr’s Memorial Park, at Salbari, Shanischare (Jhapa).

Q2. What groups of animals excites you the most?

Amphibians and Testudines

Q3. Whom should we call a Herpetologist - one who studies herps or someone who handles it or even someone who breeds it for commercial purposes?

I prefer to call a Herpetologist who does study, research, and publish scientific papers on it with some new findings. It should be more academically professional rather than of commercial purposes.

Q4. How and when did the love for herpetology evolve in you?

Sorry, I didn’t understand this question clearly!

Q5. Herpetology in Nepal is the least preferred subject and less prioritized even from the academic sector when preliminary collections started very early, during Hodgson’s period (100 years before). What could have caused the delay?

Yes, this is an interesting question in context to Nepal. Our history of educational development is not long in our country especially, science education in Nepal that started only 45 years back. So our society is still suffering from different superstition and false concepts. We have learned to love beautiful animals such as butterflies and birds, but not herpetofauna (amphibians and reptiles) because they may look ugly and disgusted. Our stereotypes could be blamed for the lack of growth in this particular field.

Q6. You’ve devoted your life as a herpetologist with a doctoral degree, traveling many remotest locations of Nepal. Tell me what places are best for herpetological studies?

Yes, I have completed herpetological research survey journey from east to far-west region of Nepal. I had surveyed the herpetofauna from the Himalayan region to the lowland Terai region. Among the surveyed Districts of Nepal, Ilam is an ideal place for a complete herpetological study. Likely, SankhawaSabha District for highland, Dadeldhura District for midland and Bardiya district for lowland district are marked on my priority basis.

Q7. What was the most significant moment of your career?

The Ph.D. rewarding ceremony of TU convocation was my significant moment in my life.

Q8. Only 53 species of amphibians are documented in the literature. Does this reflect a more accurate picture of amphibians’ diversity when countries like Panama and Costa Rica, smaller than Nepal, harbors hundreds of frogs? Also, isn’t it a high time that we should go for genetics rather than visual-based morphological identification?

Yes, why not! If we could afford the latest technology to identify genetically, it would advance the herpetological study to the next level. Let chap like you initiate it and make possible for your generation.

Q9. What fields of science need to be integrated to promote herpetology in Nepal?

Conservation Biology

Q10. What suggestions do you have for newcomers in this field?

I want to stress ‘where there is a will, there is always the way’! So, if you are really interested in herpetology, you'll see greater opportunities down the line. But do not be deterred of any hardship and difficulty because you have to overcome so many obstacles during the fieldwork of amphibians and reptiles as they are living not in easily accessible places. To get it started, you can go through my book ‘Mero Anusandhan Yatra’. This book encourages you to be a conqueror of your goals amid whatever circumstances life has to offer.

Dr. KR Rai Khambu
Bhadrapur-8, Campus mode, Jhapa (Nepal)
June 11, 2017