Farmers Affected by Wildlife in Langtang National Park Receive Compensation

Rasuwa. Relief has been provided to farmers affected by wild animals inside Langtang National Park. According to the park administration, wild boars caused the most damage. So far this fiscal year, 157 people have been affected by wild animals. According to Ranger Rupesh Lama, among those affected, 34 were affected by monkeys, 111 by wild boars, 11 by leopards, and one by a bear.

The park also stated that livestock worth approximately NPR 370,000 in goats and sheep were damaged due to leopard attacks. Relief is being provided according to the Relief Directive for Wildlife Damage, 2080. Under this directive, NPR 1,499,400 has been distributed as relief so far for the mitigation of human-wildlife conflict.

Ranger Lama informed that payments are pending for some farmers due to the relief amount being insufficient for their demands. According to local elder farmer Sadhuram Poudel, the problem of bears and wild boars is more prevalent in the northern region of Rasuwa, while monkeys cause significant crop damage in the southern region.

The park stated that to receive relief for damage to crops or livestock by wild animals, documents such as recommendations from the Agriculture and Livestock Service Office, police reports, site inspection memos, recommendations from the park buffer zone consumer committee, and inspection reports from park technicians are required.

The directive also mentions that in case of livestock damage, photos of the site, memos, police reports, and post-mortem reports conducted by an authorized veterinarian must be submitted.

Similarly, there is a provision to provide treatment expenses based on the bill from a government hospital if a person is injured in a wildlife attack. The park administration has urged locals to avoid going alone while cutting grass or traveling in the jungle area, and to walk cautiously, preferably with a companion.