Birds and animals that dwell in mountainous areas of Bajhang are being hunted down as the snow season makes them slow and easy to spot.

Wild boars, Himalayan gorals (Ghoral), Himalayan tahrs (Jharal), Kalij pheasants, and Himalayan Monals (Danphe) are being killed in places like Kanda, Surma, Daulichaur, Rilu, Dahabagar, Lekgaun, Melbisauna and Kailash. Their meats have become popular, particularly in the district headquarters, Chainpur. The buyers include senior government officials and security personnel, according to a police officer.

He said the hunters were protected by their seniors and top government officials.

A Himalayan monal can fetch up to Rs 3,000 and Kalij pheasants can be bought for Rs 1,500 apiece. Likewise, the meats of wild boars, Himalayan gorals and Himalayan tahrs could cost around Rs 1,200 per kilogram.

The District Forest Office does not seem to be doing enough to control illegal poaching of birds and animals, some of which are placed on the near-threatened category of species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The office chief, Ashok Kumar Shrestha, said they were unable to monitor poaching incidents as they lacked security posts in the higher altitude areas.