Locals protest seeking protection from tiger

By Pratik Ichhuk Sharma,Salyan, Feb. 15: Residents of Kalimati Rural Municipality in Salyan are living in fear following a rise in tiger attacks and other wildlife incidents, with animals believed to have strayed from Banke National Park (BaNP).

In response, the Salyan branch of the Federation of Community Forest Users’ Nepal (Fecofon) has held discussions with concerned stakeholders and announced protest programmes, including calls for the park to be scrapped if the problem is not resolved.

According to locals, tiger attacks have increased in recent months in the Ghuiwari and Hattidhunga areas of Ward Nos. 6 and 7 of Kalimati Rural Municipality. Three people, including Dhansara Rawat and Chandra Bahadur Khaptadi Magar, have lost their lives in the attacks. Tigers have also repeatedly targeted livestock, causing significant losses.

Residents of these buffer zone settlements said they feel unsafe and have demanded effective measures to protect them from wild animals. Some have warned that if security cannot be guaranteed, the buffer zone status should be revoked.

Purushottam Bhattarai, Chairman of Fecofon Salyan, said the community had been forced to protest because of the negative impact of the national park on local livelihoods. He said discussions had been held with stakeholders, community forest user committees and local residents to plan the future strategy. The federation has also decided to continue its campaign and raise public awareness.

Mitra Lal Rijal, Ward Chairman of Kalimati-7, said the government must show greater sensitivity towards the problems faced by local people. He stressed that the state must take responsibility for the safety of citizens living near the park and, if necessary, consider scrapping it.

Dambar Pun, Chairman of the Hattidamar-Ghuiwari Buffer Zone Users’ Committee, said people were terrified by tigers coming from both Bardiya National Park (BNP) and BaNP. He confirmed that three people had been killed and livestock losses had mounted.

He called for long-term solutions, including proper management of the tiger population, research into why the animals are straying outside the park, and amendments to existing wildlife laws.

Sashiram Oli, Chairman of the District Forest Federation Salyan, said the federation had been coordinating with authorities to relay local concerns to the government. He added that candidates in the forthcoming elections should make clear commitments to address the issue. He stressed the need for a clear decision - either to scrap the park or to properly manage human settlements in the affected areas.

Amrita Magar of Ghuiwari-6 said children had become afraid to go to school because of the tiger threat. She warned that delays in finding a solution could lead to further loss of life.

Community forest user groups have resolved to pass formal decisions calling for the park’s abolition, to press for amendments to the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1973 to make it more user-friendly, to seek written or verbal commitments from election candidates regarding park management, and to continue their protest movement. 

They have also appointed Chandra Bahadur Budha, coordinator of the local forest federation’s judicial committee, to facilitate the campaign.