Locals have started to stage protest against the government decision to mobilise Nepal Army in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. The reserve adjoins Baglung, Myagdi and Rukum districts in the Dhaulagiri Himal range in West Nepal.

The government, two years ago, decided to declare the area as a buffer zone and mobilise Army to maintain security in the reserve. However, locals of 14 VDCs in Baglung, Myagdi and Rukum districts are against the decision mentioning that the Army cannot perform any activities in the land of indigenous people. They said the decision is against the ILO Convention 169, which gives indigenous local communities and tribal peoples certain rights over natural resources.

The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Victims’ Struggle Committee blamed the government authorities for being engaged in poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Purna Bahadur Gharti Magar, a member of the committee, said government officers and army personnel hunted several wild animals in the reserve. “We have kept some videos to prove it,” he said.