BAGLUNG, Aug 31: The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation has provided quota permits to four trekking firms this season for hunting some wild animals at Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR).
The four firms--Track and Trails, Nepal Wildlife Adventure Pvt, Ltd,, Himalayan Safari Pvt.Ltd, and Nepal Hunting Safari--have received permits to hunt 13 blue sheep (naur) and six mountain goats (jharal) during the first hunting season this year. The firms can now invite foreign hunters to hunt the stipulated number of wild animals during the mid-September to mid-November season.
DHR chief Bishow Babu Shrestha informed that permits have been granted for hunting 19 wild animals in six blocks in the hunting reserve. “The hunting quota for the first season this year has been filled. The firms securing permits are now enthusiastic about the hunting,” said Shrestha. [break]
The firms, which won the permits through open competitive bidding, will now disseminate the news in the international market to attract potential hunters.
Last year, the maximum price for hunting a blue sheep was Rs 178,000. The price has doubled this year. Amid stiff competition, the firms winning the permits have paid Rs 320,000 to hunt one blue sheep in the reserve this year.
Fagune and Barse blocks at the Reserve near Dhorpatan Valley have become the main attraction for hunters. “The firms have paid a high amount to hunt in the two blocks near the valley in order to save time and money,” informed Shrestha.
However, hunting one blue sheep in the Sundaha, Bhustung, Sen and Dogadi blocks in Rukum district, which takes more than five days to reach on foot, costs Rs 176,000. DHR opens bids for the hunting twice a year. The second hunting season begins in Mid-February and ends in Mid-April.
Hunters from Russia, Britain, America, Denmark, Spain and Hungary come for the big game hunting at DWR annually. The rate for the hunting is different from block to block.
Sixteen blue sheep and seven mountain goats were hunted last year and from this DHR earned revenue of Rs 7.3 million. Hunting permits are provided annually with the aim of preventing overcrowding at DHR.
DHR is home to the barking deer, leopard, snow leopard, boar, musk deer, red panda and other threatened species. According to DHR, the hunting permit is only for blue sheep and mountain goat.
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