Discussions regarding the Dhorpatan hunting reserve's intermediate zone have begun

BAGLUNG, Dec 14:Discussions have begun to raise the level of living for the people living around the Dhorpatan hunting reserve by establishing an intermediate zone.

According to Birendra Prasad Kandel, head conservation officer of Dhorpatan hunting Reserve, the conversation began with four district security agencies and progressed to local local people's representatives.

Through regular meetings and contacts with stakeholders, the reserve has prepared for the announcement of the intermediate zone. Locals were unable to obtain services from Dhorapatan due to the failure to construct an intermediary zone.

Recently, the reserve began discussions, saying that there has been an increase in poaching in Dhorpatan, that residents are not benefiting from the reserve, and that there is little advertising of tourism. According to Kandel, the chief conservation officer, the annual budget of crores of rupees is not being spent for the benefit of the locals due to the failure to establish an intermediate zone.

The executive committees of Baglung's Dhorpatan municipality, Nisikhola rural municipality's Tamankhola municipality, Rukum's Prithuttarganga, and Myagdi's Dhaulagiri rural municipality shall decide to define the intermediate zone. Reserve discussed and interacted with the municipality's people's representative.

A fixed percentage of the collected revenue will be set aside for the construction of roads, bridges, and footpaths, as well as community skill development in the Dhorpatan area.

Even poacher fines are now being collected for the central government's revenue. He said that the delay was caused by a failure to communicate the advantages of mediation. The operation was halted after people repeatedly protested that forest goods could not be consumed if the Madhya Barti area was created.

On Friday, the Dhorpatan Municipality and representatives from the surrounding communities decided to proceed with the mid-term election announcement.
They have also chosen to open highways in Myagdi leading to Gurja via Baglung's Niseldhor, Rukum's Taksera, and Gadikhola Chhentung. Some routes were impassable because they could not be linked to the reserve without permission from the Ministry of Reserves and Forests. Reserve will also take the initiative to obtain clearance for the road.

If an intermediate zone is established, locals can operate homestays, hotels, and restaurants throughout the reserve, as well as conduct other tourism marketing activities and bring in tourists by establishing walkways.

Kandel stated that after the mid-term announcement, the local people will receive 50% of the earnings from river goods and logging. They have decided to draw the attention of the state to the construction of Saljhandi Dhorpatan road which is currently stalled.