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🇳🇵 Nepal /Environment & Climate

Dhorpatan caught between conservation and trophy hunting

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Nepal's Dhorpatan reserve generates significant revenue through regulated trophy hunting, but a debate is emerging over its future between hunting tourism and ecotourism.
  • While trophy hunting brings state revenue, local communities could benefit more from nature-based tourism, which is seeing growth with improved infrastructure and accessibility.
  • Experts and locals are divided, but many believe shifting focus to ecotourism, centered on wildlife and natural beauty, would create more local employment and economic opportunities.

Dhorpatan, Nepal's sole hunting reserve, is at a crossroads, balancing the substantial government revenue generated by regulated trophy hunting with the potential for greater local economic benefits through ecotourism. The area, which previously had limited accommodation, now boasts around two dozen community-run homestays and 40 hotels, capable of hosting up to 700 visitors daily. Improved road access has transformed Dhorpatan into a gateway for trekkers and a destination for domestic tourists seeking winter snow and alpine meadows.

While trophy hunting generates revenue for the state, nature-based tourism would bring greater economic benefits to local communities.

— Local residents, tourism entrepreneurs, conservationists and expertsThis quote encapsulates the core of the debate surrounding Dhorpatan's future.

While trophy hunting, which allows for the controlled hunting of blue sheep and Himalayan tahr, brings in an estimated Rs40 million to Rs50 million annually for the government, its benefits to surrounding communities are increasingly questioned. Many locals and tourism experts argue that the revenue primarily serves the state, unlike nature-based tourism, which they believe would foster more employment and business opportunities for the local population.

Ecotourism centred on wildlife observation creates employment and business opportunities for local people. Hunting tourism, by contrast, mainly generates revenue for the state.

— Amrit BhadgaunleA veteran tourism journalist's perspective highlighting the differing economic impacts of ecotourism versus hunting tourism.

Tourism entrepreneurs and conservationists are divided on the path forward. Krishna Prasad Acharya, president of the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) Gandaki, advocates for investment in walking trails and nature-based infrastructure over roads to promote sustainable tourism. Veteran journalist Amrit Bhadgaunle supports a shift towards ecotourism, emphasizing its potential for local job creation. The debate has intensified following the Dhorpatan Summit, organized by the Dhorpatan Municipality, bringing the issue to national attention.

investment should prioritise walking trails, viewpoints and nature-based infrastructure rather than roads if Dhorpatan is to develop as a sustainable tourism destination.

— Krishna Prasad AcharyaThe president of TAAN Gandaki suggests a development strategy focused on sustainable tourism infrastructure.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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