KAVREPALANCHOWK, Aug 31: Human-wildlife conflict has persisted for ages. The conflict has escalated to the point where numerous individuals have lost their lives, and many others have been injured in wild animal attacks. Similarly, many wild animals have perished due to human attacks.
According to data from the Division Forest Office in Dhulikhel, 14 people have been killed and scores of others injured in wild animal attacks over the past 14 years. Recently, five local farmers filed separate complaints with the ward office of Panauti Municipality-15, demanding the control of the wild boar menace and compensation for corn farming that was destroyed by them.
"Wild boars consumed and destroyed corn planted on two ropanis of land. We have lodged complaints demanding the control of these wild animals and compensation for the damage," stated Shankar Koirala, one of the locals whose crops were harmed by the wild boars. Koirala invested Rs 20,000 to cultivate corn on two ropanis of land. Wild boars that strayed from the nearby Indrashwori Thalpu forest 'A' entered the village and devastated the crop that was ready for harvest. Wild boars have been wreaking havoc on corn crops in Khopasi for the past few days.
The wild animals that originated from the nearby forest destroyed corn grown on 10 ropanis of land, as per another farmer, Maiya Mahat. She added that these wild animals have been causing destruction in the village for a long time. "The forest office provides a maximum of Rs 10,000 as compensation for crops destroyed by wild animals, following a proper process. I also received compensation in a similar case," she explained.
Wild boars also ravaged other crops, including paddy, according to Bal Krishna Phuyal, secretary of the forest users' group. These wild animals damage corn farming on approximately 200 ropanis of land in ward-10 annually, leading to around 60 families submitting complaints seeking compensation, shared the ward chair Mohan Bahadur Bhandari.
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To obtain compensation, documents such as a recommendation from the respective ward office, information collection at the incident site by the police, site monitoring by agriculture technicians from the respective municipality, and details of the damage must be submitted to the district forest office.
Similarly, wild boars destroyed potatoes grown on two ropanis of land in Subbagaun of Panauti-5 around six months ago. Following this incident, local people guarded against wild boars day and night, said a local farmer named Buddhi Bahadur Thapa. "A group of wild boars destroyed potatoes grown on 15 ropanis of land at various places. Thus, we guarded against them to protect our potatoes," he said.
A few months back, monkeys from different groups entered the Kushadevi area of Panauti and caused havoc in the village. About 15 months ago, a leopard entered the village of Rayobari in Mandandeupur Municipality-9 and killed 350 kalij pheasants (Lophura leucomelanos) on a farm where kalij, chicken, turkey, and goats were kept. After witnessing the leopard consuming the kalijs, local people chased it away. The deceased kalijs were valued at over Rs 800,000, according to the locals.
Likewise, wild boars destroyed corn crops on numerous lands in Nagarkot Halede of Panauti-1. Wild boars have been terrorizing the local people, said a local named Dipak Bastakoti. "During that time, wild boars destroyed not only crops but also terrified local residents. We fear the same situation may occur this year as the corn harvest approaches," he added. Monkeys destroyed crops in 10 out of 12 wards of Panauti except wards 8 and 9. During that period, the Municipality initially provided 15 monkey repellent devices to the local residents of ward 12 to ward off monkeys. The device successfully prevented the monkey menace, stated the Municipality mayor, Tok Bahadur Waiba.
"Wild boars and monkeys have caused significant problems for farmers in many areas. Their menace has been curtailed with the help of the device. We offer recommendations to those seeking compensation for damage caused by wild animals."
Wild boars and monkeys have been creating hazards for the residents of Korhidekha in Panchkhal Municipality-13 for the past few years. A local resident named Yam Laxmi Thapaliya complained that the wild animal menace has escalated to the point where local people are being displaced. Despite numerous appeals to local representatives, the issue has persisted, she lamented.
Local teacher Tula Prasad Dahal recalled past instances of successfully chasing away wild boars from the village by playing the radio. Porcupines have been troubling the residents of Devitar in Dhulikhel Municipality-1 for years. "Porcupines have destroyed cucumbers and other vegetables grown in the gardens. We fear they may damage other crops," expressed a local farmer, Saraswati Ghorasaini.
Experts attribute the increasing human-wildlife conflict to factors such as the growing population of wild animals, human encroachment on their habitats, wild animals venturing out of their habitats into human settlements and farmlands in search of food and suitable habitats, and humans retaliating against them.
The authorities in the district have taken initiatives to address the problems caused by wild animals. Some months ago, a dialogue group in the district organized discussions in various phases about the management of human-wild animal conflict.
The number of wild boars in many forests in the district has risen, thereby escalating the threats, according to forest officer Devi Chandra Pokharel from the Division Forest Office, Dhulikhel. "Until a policy specifying the number of wild animals to be culled is established, the threat posed by wild animals cannot be reduced," he asserted.
While the office has yet to formulate a plan for culling the number of wild animals, it has been providing compensation to victims of wild animal incidents. Those affected by wild animals from certain areas in the district have visited the office seeking compensation, he disclosed. "We have launched an awareness campaign about maintaining a balance between forests, grasslands, and ponds. We anticipate that this campaign will somewhat alleviate wildlife threats."He emphasized the need to naturally manage wildlife food sources to prevent wild animal terror. Compensation is offered to affected farmers in line with existing directives. According to the provision, each family of a person killed in a wild animal attack receives Rs 1.5 million in compensation, and treatment is provided to the injured individuals. (RSS)
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