DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇵 Nepal /Environment & Climate

Nepal district to issue hunting licenses to curb wild animal menace

From Kathmandu Post · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • The Division Forest Office in Arghakhanchi, Nepal, will issue hunting licenses to control wild boars, barking deer, and spotted deer that are causing significant crop damage.
  • Farmers have reported extensive crop losses, leading the forest office to invite applications from Nepali citizens for hunting permits to mitigate the menace.
  • The initiative aims to protect agricultural output and support farmers, with hunters allowed to cull wild boars for up to 10 days under strict conditions.

Arghakhanchi, Nepal – Farmers in Nepal's Arghakhanchi district will soon see a new approach to tackling the persistent problem of crop destruction by wild animals. The Division Forest Office is preparing to issue hunting licenses for wild boars, barking deer, and spotted deer, responding to a surge in complaints from agricultural communities.

As crop destruction has reached a point where farmers are being displaced from their villages, the goal is to protect food crops and support farmers.

— Narayan Dev BhattaraiSenior Divisional Forest Officer explaining the rationale behind issuing hunting licenses.

Farmers across five local units in the hill district have expressed deep frustration over the relentless damage to their crops. In response, the forest office has issued a public notice inviting applications from Nepali citizens interested in obtaining hunting permits. This measure is specifically designed to minimize the damage to major crops and support the livelihoods of affected farmers.

Senior Divisional Forest Officer Narayan Dev Bhattarai stated that the initiative aims to "minimize damage to major crops." Applicants must provide a Nepali citizenship certificate and a valid firearm license. The licenses will be issued under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act and Rules, with a priority on controlling wild boar populations due to the severity of farmer complaints.

Hunters will be allowed to cull wild boars whether in farmlams or in the forest. Hearing gunfire will not only scare wild boars but also drive away monkeys, which will help protect crops.

— Narayan Dev BhattaraiSenior Divisional Forest Officer describing the expected benefits of the hunting program.

Bhattarai further explained that the goal is to "protect food crops and support farmers" as crop destruction has reached a point where some farmers are considering leaving their villages. The program will allow licensed hunters to cull wild boars in farmlands and forests for a maximum of 10 days, with strict conditions on designated areas and timeframes. The sound of gunfire is also expected to deter monkeys, further protecting crops. Legal provisions permit hunters to consume the meat of the wild boars they kill.

Entire villages face the risk of desertion due to wild animals. To protect crops and support farmers, we have adopted this legal mechanism.

— Narayan Dev BhattaraiSenior Divisional Forest Officer emphasizing the severity of the problem and the chosen solution.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathmandu Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog