Awareness raised among youth to reduce human-wildlife conflict

By Siraj Khan,Nepalgunj, Dec. 25: Efforts have been initiated to generate awareness among the youth in Banke and Bardiya districts to reduce the increasing human-wildlife conflict.

Wild animals from the Banke and Bardiya national parks have caused severe damage to crops and livestock in the area. Such awareness programmes are being conducted in Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality near Banke National Park and Madhuwan Municipality near Bardiya National Park, the areas heavily affected by wildlife incursions.

At an event 'Club Chautari for Environmental Justice and Accountability' organised in Madhuwan Municipality-2 of Bardiya, youth were informed about environmental justice, procedures to claim compensation for wildlife-induced damages and other related matters, said Manit Kushmi, a member of Sagun Youth Club. He said that the participating youth stressed the need for alternative solutions to address the conflict effectively.

The human-wildlife conflict is escalating in and around Madhuwan Municipality-2, causing increased anxiety among community members, particularly young people and their families, regarding the risk of wildlife attacks.

“Youths in the community, who often venture into the forest for fodder and firewood, are at significant risk,” said Kushmi. Moreover, they are unfamiliar with the behaviuor of wild animals and lack awareness of the process to claim compensation in case of any damage to themselves or their families, he added.

At the programme organised by the Communication Campaign Nepal in Sundarpur, Madhuwan Municipality-2, most participating youths underscored the need for concerned authorities to work proactively to mitigate human-wildlife conflicts.

Facilitating the programme, expert Ramesh Thapa presented on environmental justice, challenges and rights of youth in areas affected by national parks and measures to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. He also briefed the participants on the provisions, procedures and benefits outlined in the guidelines for relief and compensation for wildlife-affected individuals.

Maniram Chaudhary, President of Sagun Youth Club, expressed confidence that this initiative would contribute to discussions with relevant stakeholders on environmental justice and accountability while expanding the campaign to reduce human-wildlife conflicts within the community.