Expanding grasslands to avoid wild animal attack

By  Bom Lal Giri, Nawalpur, Jan. 17: The alternative has been adopted to stop the wild animals in the forest as the incidents of attack from wild animals have been surging at the settlement in Nawalpur.

The grasslands have been prepared by clearing the forests of the Shantikunj, Kumarwarti, Namuna and Krishnasar community forests in the central area of Chitwan National Park. 

Bashu Dev Paudel, Chairperson at the Lamichaur Central Community Forest Committee said that 500 hectors of grasslands and 200 hectors of wetlands have been formed in Lamichaur Central Community Forest at Kawasoti-10, Nawalpur, by clearing out the jungle. Other community forests have prioritized the grasslands as well. 

“The shortage of grassland was felt at Lamichaur Central Community Forest Committee. Because of the shortage of grasslands, animal feed, fodder and forage, and wetlands, animals started entering the human settlements, so, a sustaining and enjoyable environment has been created in the forest to stop them from wandering,” said Chairperson Paudel. 

Dhani Ram Mahato, Kawasoti-7, said that the locals enter the forest for firewood and sometimes animals enter the human settlement and destroy the crops.  

Narayan Prasad Timilsina, the former chairperson said that the intrusion of people into nature has increased so animals that enjoy living inside the forest have been compelled to come out. Lately, the trend of animals entering human settlements and wreaking havoc has increased. 

“Earlier there were more grasslands. The forests started getting dense with the initiation of the conservation of forests. Animals could not take their feed in the dense forest and were compelled to enter the human settlement. Therefore, the need for grasslands was observed,” said Timilsina. 

The Kawasoti Muniicpality-10 has supported with Rs 2 lakh for making grasslands. Other community forests also have supported the cause yearly. 

The Chitwan National Park said that grasslands for rhinoceros and a large water pond, and scorch and grass for Axisaxis(Chital) and Deer are needed. If animals get enough feed in the jungle then they do not enter human settlement. 

According to the District Police Office, Nawalpur, 2 people have lost their lives and eight have sustained injury from the attack of tiger and rhinoceros from May 14. Animal causalities have been recorded as well.