Baglung, 21 August: Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal’s only legally designated hunting reserve, recorded the hunting of 21 blue sheep (naur) and 11 Himalayan tahrs (jharal) over the course of one year. Foreign hunters paid more than Rs. 417 million in government revenue through competitive bidding for hunting permits.
Hunting in Dhorpatan takes place in two seasons each year. During the first season, from October to December, the government collected Rs. 303.05 million, while Rs. 143.74 million was collected during the second season.
According to reserve ranger Sagar Subedi, permits were issued for 11 blue sheep and eight Himalayan tahrs during the first hunting season of the last fiscal year. Foreign hunters who came through different hunting companies successfully hunted eight blue sheep and five Himalayan tahrs. Although permits had been issued and fees paid, three blue sheep and three Himalayan tahrs could not be hunted.
During the second hunting season, from February to April, permits were issued for 14 blue sheep and 10 Himalayan tahrs. Hunters successfully hunted 13 blue sheep and six Himalayan tahrs. One blue sheep and four Himalayan tahrs could not be hunted because of technical and other difficulties.
According to Ananath Baral, chief conservation officer of the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, several factors prevented some permitted animals from being hunted. These included problems related to ammunition and equipment, hunters falling ill, changing weather conditions and missed shots.
Foreign hunters travel to Dhorpatan from countries including the United States, Spain, the Netherlands and Mexico, paying substantial fees to legally hunt blue sheep and Himalayan tahrs. The reserve office provides necessary arrangements and guides, deploying its staff and porters to designated hunting blocks.
The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation determines the annual hunting quota based on the population of blue sheep and Himalayan tahrs. The reserve is divided into seven hunting blocks: Seng, Barse, Surtibang, Fagune, Ghustung, Dogadi and Sundah.
Representatives of commercial foreign hunting companies and their teams generally travel to the reserve by helicopter. Hunters bear the costs of helicopters, guides, support staff, equipment and other expenses. According to the reserve office, a hunter typically spends Rs. 2 million to Rs. 3.5 million during a 15-day hunting expedition.
Established in 1982, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve covers an area of approximately 1,325 square kilometers across Baglung, Eastern Rukum and Myagdi districts of Nepal.
