Hunters preparing a porcupine for meal after killing it, in Okhaldhunga, on Tuesday.

Okhaldhunga- Nepal: Poaching and trading of rare and protected species has been increasing in Okhaldhunga of late. According to locals, poaching and illegal trading of rare protected animals has gone on unabated due to lack of monitoring on the part of concerned stakeholders. The animals in Ragadeep, Bigutar, Jantarkhani, Patle, Khijiphalate, Khijikati, Rawadolu and Bhusinga, among other VDCs, are being hunted openly using traditional weapons, complained locals. However, no initiative has been taken by the concerned authorities to curb this activity so far. Poachers are spotted walking freely in the community and state-owned forests of the region for hunting, said locals. “We can listen to the sound of gunfire throughout the day. Poachers are seen approaching the forest areas fully equipped with weapons in broad daylight and nobody is doing anything about it,” lamented Ranaman Bhujel, Chairman, Sarekuibhir Community Forest Consumers’ Committee. Poaching of endangered species including tiger, bear, ghoral, deer and rabbit among other wild animals has been increasing in the forests of the area, said Furbatundu Sherpa of Jantarkhani. The illegal hunting and trading is especially high in Rimalthumki Community Forest of Bigutar, Chaite, Baishakhe and Dyamke forests, Nalidanda Community Forest of Jantarkhani, Miteri and Tinchule Community Forest of Patle, Jayanepal Community Forest of Khijichandeshwori, Thamthole and Demba Community Forest of Khijiphalante, among others places of the region. A large number of locals from Sunuwar, Sherpa and Tamang communities are found engaged in poaching for meat, said Sherpa. Despite the widespread poaching and trading in endangered animals in the district, administration and the forest officials have been mute spectators, accused locals. “District Forest Office is responsible for conservation of protected species, however, it has remained mum,” said Gopal Man Thapa, Chairman, Federation of Community Forest Consumers, Okhaldhunga. However, District Forest Officer Sampait Yadav said his office could not proceed with any action due to lack of formal complaint. “If anybody lodges a complaint with adequate evidence, necessary action will be taken,” pledged Yadav. . (Source : The Himalayan Times)