Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve earns over Rs 4.6 m through hunting permission

BAGLUNG, June 27: The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve has collected revenue worth over Rs 4.6 million in the current fiscal year. According to the reserve office, it earned millions of rupees in permits granted to foreigners for hunting at various blocks of the reserve.

A total of 19 Himalayan Blue Sheep and 10 Himalayan Tahrs were hunted in the current fiscal year. The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is the sole hunting reserve in the country and (legal) hunting is allowed for only foreigners.

It has total six blocks Phagune, Barse, Seng, Dogadi, Ghustung and Sundaha meant for hunting.

Foreigners through the facilitations of Hunting Company Nepal Wildlife Safaris, Himalayan Safaris, Global Safaris and Track and Trails Pvt Limited arrived here for hunting.

Those ‘legalized’ and professional hunters are from the United States of America, Russia, Spain, South America and Norway.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Protection, in each hunting season, determines the quota and charge for hunting through the bidding call.

Rs 115,000 was fixed as maximum charge for hunting a Himalayan Blue Sheep and Rs 221,000 was for per a Himalyan Tahr.

The Reserve, established in 1987, is spread to an area of 1,325 square kilometres covering areas of Rukum, Myagdi and Baglung districts and has been the attractive destination for tourists wishing to enjoy hunting and adventurous tourism. RSS