After remaining dormant for more than a decade due to the insurgency, a hunter's paradise is once again gaining popularity after the government permitted hunting licenses this year.
Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR), the only hunting reserve in the country, was opened for licensed hunting in fiscal year 2007/2008.
According to Surya Bahadur Pandey, management officer at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), with the issuing of hunting licenses, interested parties are very keen to come to Nepal for hunting at DHR.
"We have already received more than 10 names for hunting license," he said.
Pandey said, since the announcement of hunting licenses in February, three licenses have already been taken. Similarly, two other interested parties including Tracks and Trail and Nepal Wildlife Adventure have submitted candidates' names for hunting licenses.
"Most of the licenses sought are for hunters are from Austria and America," he said.
According to Pandey, government gave permission for licensed hunting after finding a healthy population of game including the blue sheep, also known as jharal, which is prized by hunters. The government has issued a hunting quota of 24 for this fiscal year.
A survey done between May 25 and June 12, 2007 found a total of 852 blue sheep in six specified hunting blocks at DHR. The six hunting blocks in the reserve include Sundaha, Seng, Dogadi, Phagune, Barse and Gustang.
Out of the 852 blue sheep counted, 126 were termed trophy rams, 92 medium rams and 45 young rams. The trophy rams are ideal for hunting but the government can permit the hunting of all rams above 10 years of age.
According to DNPWC sources, hunting is allowed in the reserve under strict monitoring by officials and licensed guides who accompany the hunters. Hunting licenses are provided during periods from February to April and August to October.
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