Farmers compensated for livestock losses

BY HARI KRISHNA SHARMA,Muktinath, Apr. 20: Kajang Gyacho Gurung, a farmer in Upper Mustang, lost 28 sheep and goats in a single night to a snow leopard attack on April 8. The predator jumped over a fenced wall and entered the shed, killing both adult animals and young ones. 

Following the incident, Gurung received Rs. 179,000 in relief from the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, through its Area Conservation Office in Lomanthang. In the past, victims had to wait up to a year for compensation, but Gurung expressed satisfaction that the relief was provided promptly this time.

Gurung said, “Receiving compensation on time after the loss has provided some relief. I will reinvest the money in livestock farming.” 

He added that livestock farmers in Upper Mustang previously had to wait long periods for compensation after such incidents, but ACAP has now prioritised both data collection and faster relief distribution, making the process easier. In earlier years, damage reports from sheds and grazing areas were sent to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, but procedural delays often led to complaints from farmers.

On Saturday, a total of Rs. 1,569,000 in financial assistance was distributed to 27 households affected by wildlife attacks in Lomanthang and Loghekar Damodarkunda rural municipalities.

According to Umesh Paudel, chief of the ACAP Lomanthang office, between mid-July to mid-April of the current fiscal year 2025/26, wildlife attacks by snow leopards and wolves killed 62 livestock: 14 horses, 30 goats, 10 sheep, and eight yaks. 

Compensation has been provided in accordance with national wildlife damage relief guidelines. 

He said, “We have also trained farmers on improving livestock sheds and adopting preventive measures to reduce further losses. Conservation of prey species has been prioritised to minimise attacks on domestic animals.”

Paudel stated that in Upper Mustang, snow leopards cause the majority of livestock losses compared to wolves, so ACAP has been working with local communities to reduce human–wildlife conflict and improve animal shelters. Under the Government of Nepal guidelines, compensation is capped at Rs. 10,000 per sheep or goat and up to Rs. 60,000 per horse.

In fiscal year 2023/24, Rs. 1,950,000 was distributed as livestock compensation, and in 2024/25, Rs. 1,115,000 was distributed. Over the past three years, a total of Rs. 4,599,000 has been provided in relief.

Upper Mustang areas such as Lomanthang and Loghekar Damodarkunda, which border the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, fall under the jurisdiction of the ACAP Area Conservation Office in Lomanthang. Meanwhile, other areas, including Baragung Muktikshetra, Thasang, and Gharapjhong, are managed by the ACAP office in Jomsom. Both offices distribute compensation annually for wildlife-related losses.

While Upper Mustang faces frequent threats from snow leopards and wolves, Lower Mustang experiences livestock losses mainly due to snow leopards and Asian black bear attacks.