Every five to five years, Naur and Jharal are counted in the Dhorpatan hunting reserve. Based on the results of the calculation, the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department sets the hunting quota. In recent times, the hunting quota is decreasing.
After the decrease in the number of wild animals, the department has further controlled hunting. In the last year's winter count, it was found that the number of Naur had dropped to 1,290. While in the census of 2072, two thousand two hundred and two Naurs were found in the reserve.
In the same period, Jharal increased from 388 to 744. Why did Naur only decrease like this? Surya Khadka, assistant conservation officer of the reserve office, said that there are many reasons for the decline in the number of Naur.
"When there are avalanches, fires and diseases, people die, theft also happens", he said, "The number can also go down due to the timing and method of counting." Officer Khadka mentioned that it will be difficult to get accurate data due to the migration of Nauer.
"From Dhorpatan, Naur herds go to Dolpa, they also come here and there, they have a tendency to wander and end up without food", he said. He pointed out the need for further study as it does not seem natural to see a decrease of nearly 1,000 in five years.
Deepak Thapa, a representative of Sikar Company Tracks and Trailers, who has been participating in every count, said that the count of Naur and Jharal is challenging due to the difficult geography. "When the weather is bad, it is not possible to find the place of residence of Naur, due to heavy snowfall, it is not possible to go to that place", he said.
Thapa, who is also a licensed hunter, said that he had walked from Dhorpatan valley for four days and reached Sundah Block for the count. Sundah is located around Churune Himal in West Rukum. He says that a team of reserve staff, technicians, representatives of hunting companies, local guides and porters are employed in the counting.
"Counting is done with the help of binoculars and other equipment, depending on the distance and area of hunting blocks, it takes four to five days in one block", said Thapa, "Naur and Jharal are counted separately in each block."
He said that counting time, weather conditions, wildlife behavior, enumerator's efficiency and technical and managerial aspects also affect the calculation. It is Thapa's experience that it is very easy to calculate in August-October.
He said that due to the decrease in the number of Naur, the hunting quota is also decreasing. Previously, the hunting quota of 26 per year was determined, but now it has been reduced to 20 per year. Officer Khadka said that the state should pay attention to the protection of wild animals found in Naur, Jharal and other Himalayan and high mountain areas.
"Because they are found in many places, wild animals like Hola Naur and Jharal do not seem to be given much priority, their conditions, habitats etc. should be researched and studied, and conservation plans should be brought", he said. He said that most of the mangroves were found in the Surtibang block of the reserve during the count.
The diet of Naur and Goats belonging to the Himalayan sheep species is grass and butane. During winter and snowfall, there is not enough food for the wild animals of the Himalayas. At that time, there is a greater chance of becoming weak and sick.
Recently, the department has allocated 19 to 24 hunting quotas for Naur and 14 to 19 hunting quotas for Jharal. There is a rule that hunters can only hunt old Naur and Jharal in the reserve.
Naur is one of the most hunted animals in Dhorpatan. Naur Himalayan sheep found from three thousand to five thousand meters is also known. Naur lives in herds. The lifespan of Naur is about 15 years. Although the naur lives in most of the Himalayan areas including Langtang, Makalu, Barun National Park, it can be legally hunted only in Dhorpatan.
Jharal is also an animal belonging to the goat species. Famous foreign hunters come to Dhorpatan every year for Naur and Jharal hunting. They are eager to get the exciting experience of hunting by spending millions. Foreigners come to the reserve to play hunting through Nepali hunting company.
Hunting is open in Dhorpatan in two seasons, October-November and February-May every year. According to the reserve office, 17 naur and eight jharal were hunted in both seasons of last year.
Hunting companies Nepal Travel Expeditions, Global Safaris, Himalayan Safaris, Himalayan Wild Life Outfitters and Tracks and Trailers played Sikar last year. Professional hunters from America, France, Denmark, Mexico, Norway, Ukraine, Spain and other countries hunted Naur and Jharal.
The department will issue licenses for hunting only to the companies selected through electronic bidding. Shamsher Parajuli, Managing Director of Global Safaris, informed that the company has submitted the revenue to the government from a minimum of Rs.
He says that with the decrease in the risk of the Covid-19 epidemic, foreign hunters are eager to come for hunting. Dhorpatan, famous in the world for hunting tourism, is the choice of exotic and expensive hunters. The company says that a single hunter spends Rs 30 to 35 lakh on hunting.
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