Government Studying Insurance for Wildlife Damage

Kathmandu. The government has stated that it is studying the possibility of including human and physical damage caused by wildlife in the insurance system.

Responding to an oral question related to the ministry in the National Assembly meeting on Friday, Minister of Agriculture, Forest and Environment Gita Chaudhary informed that the Nepal Insurance Authority is studying the possibility of linking damage caused by wildlife to the insurance system.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Chaudhary also said that a proposal has been made to amend the law to allow local levels to collect and sell riverine materials from rivers outside the forest area within the buffer zone and important aquatic ecosystems, based on environmental studies. She also clarified that efforts are being made to allocate budget for the operation of special programs for local levels falling within the buffer zone.

Minister Chaudhary informed that the government is proposing to establish a separate 'Wildlife Conservation Fund' for human-wildlife conflict management, wildlife rescue, and other conservation-related activities by amending the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act.

Stating her views, she said, 'An amendment to the Act has been proposed to allow local levels to collect and sell riverine materials from rivers outside the forest area within the buffer zone and important aquatic ecosystems, based on environmental studies.' She further said, 'The Insurance Authority is studying the possibility of linking damage caused by wildlife to the insurance system.'

In addition, she stated that the government is committed to enhancing the capacity of local levels in the buffer zone by amending the Act related to improving the relief distribution directive for damage caused by wildlife and the Buffer Zone Management Regulations.