RSP MP Sagar Dhakal Demands Immediate Implementation of Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Report

Kathmandu. Rastriya Swatantra Party MP Sagar Dhakal has demanded that the report prepared by an expert team for the mitigation of human-wildlife conflict be implemented immediately. Speaking at a meeting of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee under the House of Representatives on Monday, MP Dhakal expressed concern over the increasing human casualties due to wildlife attacks. He urged the government to prioritize this issue. Dhakal termed the detailed report prepared by the expert team on the damage caused by wildlife such as monkeys, wild boars, elephants, and nilgai, and measures for its solution, as 'historic' and emphasized its speedy implementation. He suggested mobilizing former police or former military personnel to make the 'watchman system' included in the report effective. He stated that if former security personnel are given organized responsibilities, the performance will be effective as they are already trained. He also demanded the provision of self-defense materials (safety gear) for them, keeping in mind the risks that may arise while retaliating against wildlife. 'While discussing human-wildlife coexistence, a situation has now arisen where humans themselves are becoming unsafe,' Dhakal said, recalling the recent incident in Gulmi where two people died due to wildlife attacks. 'Therefore, this report should be submitted to the concerned minister tomorrow without delay and coordination should be done with the Ministry of Finance for budget management.' He expressed commitment to not only submit the report to the ministry but also to take it to every local level and to take initiative along with other members of the parliament for the necessary budget.