Lawmakers Seek National Plan to Combat Rising Crop Losses from Wildlife

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have filed a motion of urgent public importance, demanding a comprehensive national action plan to combat escalating crop losses attributed to wildlife, particularly monkeys and wild boars. The motion, proposed by Nepali Congress lawmaker Narendra Kumar Kerung and supported by other party whips, underscores the critical threat to farmers' production, incomes, food security, and overall rural livelihoods.

The proposal argues that the issue has surpassed a simple human-wildlife conflict scenario, necessitating a long-term, strategic approach. Kerung emphasized the government's responsibility to develop a national plan with clear deadlines, adequate funding, and defined roles for federal, provincial, and local governments in managing wildlife populations. The motion cites a study, supported by the National Trust for Nature Conservation and Tribhuvan University's Central Department of Zoology, which found that monkey damage has reached alarming levels.

Researchers directly counted 20,395 rhesus macaques in 44 severely affected local units, estimating a total population of at least 104,137 monkeys across Nepal's mid-hill region. Some monkey troops were observed to have as many as 198 individuals. The motion highlights that crop damage from monkeys, wild boars, and porcupines is particularly severe in Bagmati, Gandaki, and Sudurpaschim provinces. Farmers in Koshi face issues with monkeys and elephants, while Lumbini and Madhesh communities struggle with damage from monkeys and nilgai (blue bulls).

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The motion says damage caused by monkeys, wild boars and porcupines is particularly severe in Bagmati, Gandaki and Sudurpaschim provinces.

According to Kerung, the scale of losses varies but is alarming, with monkeys and other wildlife estimated to destroy up to 90 percent of maize crops in Gandaki province. The lawmakers are also calling for a consolidated report on past decisions, studies, expenditures, and program outcomes related to this issue, following a parliamentary discussion in February 2025. They propose that progress on the new action plan be submitted to the relevant parliamentary committee quarterly.

The motion stresses that human-wildlife conflict should be recognized and addressed as a national social, economic, and political problem, rather than an isolated issue affecting specific villages or local units, or one to be handled solely by the ruling or opposition parties. Key government agencies identified as crucial for implementing the action plan include the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment; Ministry of Finance; Ministry of Home Affairs; Ministry of Land Management, Cooperatives, Federal Affairs and General Administration; Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation; and Department of Forests and Soil Conservation.

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In Gandaki, monkeys and other wildlife are estimated to destroy up to 90 percent of maize crops.