Kachanjunga Conservation Area (KCA) in Taplejung district is gearing up to become the country’s second trophy hunting destination. If everything goes as planned, the government is likely to issue game licenses to hunt around 13 Himalayan Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur), a highly prized trophy animal in this protected area for the 2012 session.

Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR) in Baglung district is the only destination so far that allows hunting of blue sheep and Himalayan thars with strict monitoring by officials and licensed guides who accompany the hunters. Hunting license is provided during February to April and August to October, every year through bidding process.

Jhamak Karki, under secretary at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), said the proposal regarding the permission to allow hunting of Blue Sheep commonly known as ‘Naur’ inside KCA and submitted by the KCA management council was discussed last week. The council submitted the proposal last week along with necessary guidelines to the DNWPC to allow hunting after the game population was found satisfactory in the area.

He said the DNPWC has suggested the KCA team work further on the proposal which will later be discussed before being sent to the ministry for final approval.

Of the four valleys selected as habitats of Himalayan Blue

Sheep in the region during the census conducted in 2010, two valleys—Yangma and Lelep—have recorded good population of these animals and are likely to be the potential sites for hunting.

A report by the World Wildlife Fund in 2010 on Himalayan Blue sheep census showed a total population of 1,500 of these animals inside KCA. The census was carried out in four major habitat sites—Yangma, Lelep, Khambachhen and Ramjel.

“The other two areas—Khambachhen and Ramjel—have recorded low population of these trophy animals and are located near the India and China border, a concern regarding trans-boundary relations,” said Karki.

Maheshwar Dhakal, ecologist at DNPWC, said the department is positive towards the proposal. However, the final decision will be taken after considering whether the proposed habitats have the carrying capacity for viable population.

“It is about sharing economic benefits of resources among the communities who are part of conservation. The game hunting will not only be part of income source for communities but also help promote tourism prospects in the area,” he said.

According to Karki, the ministry has issued hunting licenses to six companies inside DHR this year. Each animal is priced between Rs 60, 000 to Rs 90,000 excluding other expenses including travel, accommodation and entry fees. Mostly game hunters hunt these animals as recreation and for highly-prized trophies.