The groups allege that the smugglers were given lighter sentences owing to pressure from "power centers" despite the presence of tough laws against horn smuggling. Though the National Parks and Wildlife Act has a provision of 15 years imprisonment for such smugglers, the Appellate Court handed down a reduced sentence of five years to over 100 convicted smugglers, including the notorious Pemba Lama alias Yakche.
The groups have been protesting the verdict since last month, and, with the initiative of Nature Guide Association Sauraha, have collected some 14,000 signatures demanding that the court verdict be rectified.
“We will first submit the signatures to the government and then file a petition at the Supreme Court,” said Nakul Lamichhane, secretary of the association.
Conservationist Ram Mani Khanal said the court´s lenient verdicts on smugglers who are nabbed by conservation workers after a lot of hard work demoralize the conservation workers.
Chitwan National Park (CNP) officials say smugglers who come out after facing lenient sentences return to their old profession.
CNP´s Chief Conservation Officer Narendra Babu Pradhan said despite the recommendation of maximum sentence by the Park, the Appellate Court reduces punishment in 90 percent cases, thus rendering conservation efforts ineffective.
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