Eroding ethnozoological knowledge among Magars in cental Nepal

Though small in size, Nepal is rich in biocultural diversity. Magar is one of the groups of ancient population among many such groups scattered all along the rugged terrain of the country. Magar animal interrelationship has been studied in the present work. Data have been collected using tools such as questionnaire survey, structured interview, semi-structured interview and participatory approaches. The group is found to have rich knowledge mainly on Zootherapeutic uses of animals. Altogether 39 species of animals have been identified which of various uses to the group. There is erosion of such knowledge in the group as younger people harbor less knowledge than the older ones. Ethnozoological study on other ethnic groups of the country is essential before such valuable knowledge disappears altogether from the country.