Kathmandu: The members of the House of Representatives (HoR) have voiced the urgent need to address the growing menace of boars and monkeys in rural areas to enhance food self-sufficiency and reduce dependency.
According to National News Agency Nepal, during a recent HoR meeting, lawmaker Rajendra Bajgain introduced a motion of public importance, urging a lasting resolution to the issue. Bajgain highlighted that the boar and monkey menace is not only damaging food crops but also posing a significant threat to the security of farmers. He emphasized the necessity for the protection of agricultural goods, effective wildlife management, and maintaining environmental balance through strategic policy formulation and implementation.
Bajgain proposed the establishment of a hunting policy specifically for boar management and suggested alternative measures to control the monkey population. His proposal received backing from fellow lawmakers Udaya Shumsher JBR and Sanjay Kumar Gautam. JBR noted that boars have become a significant challenge for farmers in the Tarai region, leading to substantial losses, especially for those unable to hunt them.
Lawmaker Dr. Amresh Kumar Singh pointed out the additional threat posed by Nilgais, which have also been responsible for crop damage and humanitarian issues in the Tarai region. Ramkrishna Yadav emphasized the gravity of the Nilgai problem in districts like Dhanusha and Sarlahi.
Ganesh Prasad Parajuli suggested that the proposal pertains to the Ministries of Forest and Agriculture, advocating for coordinated action with experts to effectively tackle these challenges. Sita Mizar highlighted the tough conditions faced by farmers due to the increasing numbers of boars and monkeys, advocating for legislative measures to manage their populations. She also proposed planting fruit trees in forests to deter these animals from encroaching on human settlements.
Rajendra KC and Ramhari Khatiwada stressed that controlling the boar and monkey populations is essential to curbing food dependency, as their presence has led to migration from rural areas. Meanwhile, Manish Jha pointed out the necessity for separate strategies to manage the monkey menace in urban and rural areas alike.
The House of Representatives is scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday to further discuss this pressing issue.