Wildlife conservation facing challenge: Poaching continues unabated in Shuklaphanta

Kanchanpur, Oct 10: Cases of wildlife poaching and forest product theft have increased at Baijanath Community Forest Users Group in Shuklaphanta Municipality–8. Fuleli.

Chairperson of the community forest, Bahadur Singh Mahar, said some individuals and groups are using domestic arms, improvised firearms, and dogs to hunt wildlife and capture animal offspring, taking undue advantages of political instability.

Additionally, they are repeatedly using the forest area for unauthorized grazing, damaging forest fences, and collecting grass, firewood, and fodder without permits.

“The use of harmful pesticides and electrical equipment to catch fish in rivers and streams within the forest area also has a serious impact on the lives of wildlife and aquatic species”, he said. “CCTV cameras, solar lights and other monitoring equipment installed to control poaching within the community forest have been vandalized”.

He further shared that vehicles enter the community forest area day and night, resulting in wildlife poaching, illegal sand excavation and red soil excavation.

Chair Mahara said, “We have published public notices urging the relevant authorities and locals not to engage in illegal activities; if such actions continue, we will be compelled to take action as per the Forest Act, 2076 and the user group’s statute”.

The community forest officials have urged the Divisional Forest Office, local administration and police to take stern action to control the smuggling of forest products and wildlife.