National
Wildlife-affected people demand change in conservation act
People affected by wildlife have demanded amendments to the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (1973) for ensuring rights of local communities.Bimal Khatiwada
People affected by wildlife have demanded amendments to the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act (1973) for ensuring rights of local communities.
During the national gathering in Chitwan on Saturday, the people of the communities affected by national parks and wildlife reserves said that the state has been indifferent towards their plight despite their repeated requests. They complained that the state chased them away in the name of conservation.
“We are not against wildlife conservation. Our forefathers protected plants and animals years before the national parks and wildlife reserves were established. Our land has not been surveyed so far. It seems that we are being chased away from our ancestral land,” said Jit Bahadur Musahar, chairman of the Chitwan National Park Victims’ Struggle Committee.
About 200 people from various parts of the country attended the two-day gathering. They criticised the authorities concerned for not providing suitable compensation to the families of victims killed by wild animals and damages for their domesticated animals killed and crops destroyed.
“The existing conservation act is against the rights of local communities. Tharu, Musahar, Bote and Majhi communities have been deprived of their rights,” said Pushpa KC, chairperson of the Women Rights Forum.
Man killed in tusker attack
KANCHANPUR: A 50-year-old man was killed by a wild elephant at Punarbas Municipality in the district on Friday night. Police identified the victim as Man Bahadur Sunar of Punarbas-1. The tusker attacked the victim near Nepal-India border while he was returning home after buying essentials at the bordering Indian market. A woman was killed in a similar attack in Raikawar Bichawa area in the district four months ago. (PR)