Preparations to announce the buffer zone have entered final stage. The reserve is going to announce a buffer zone to increase local involvement in curbing deforestation, land encroachment and smuggling of wild animals from the reserve as well as in community development, informed the reserve office. [break]
According to the office, the reserve has already presented a study report to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), calling for a buffer zone.
The report proposes to announce Bungadovan, Bowang, Adhikarichau and Nisi VDCs in Baglung district, Gurja Khani and Lulang VDCs in Myagdi district and Taksera, Hukam and Musikot VDCs in Rukum district as a buffer zone for the hunting reserve, informed Baburam Shrestha, conservation officer at the reserve.
“After the reserve gets its buffer zone, the prime responsibility for conserving environment and wildlife will fall on the shoulders of the locals of 47 villages in the three districts,” he said, adding, “More than 6,000 households in the districts will benefit directly.”
The National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act-1972 states that 50 percent of the total revenue collected from individuals seeking permission to use the hunting reserve should be provided to a council formed by locals residing in buffer areas. Game hunters are permitted to hunt 25 blue sheep and three Jharal goat every year.
However, the 50 percent amount has not been provided to a local council as the buffer zone is yet to be announced. Around Rs. 6 million is collected annually by DNPWC from individuals coming to hunt in the reserve, said Shrestha.
Due to many problems, the hunting reserve could not announce a buffer zone earlier, said Barna Bahadur Thapa, co-secretary of DNPWC, adding, “We will start providing half the revenue to the locals once the hunting reserve announces the buffer zone.”
DNPWC has so far collected Rs. 68 million from permissions granted for hunting in the reserve.
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