Bardibas: The number of wildlife and birds has significantly increased in the Kalidamar and Ratu Mahila (Women) Community Forests, located in Bardibas municipality-3 of Mahottari district. Around 210 families live near these community forests. Kalidamar Forest covers approximately 359 hectares, while the Ratu Mahila (Women) Community Forest spans about 350 hectares. Both forests are in the same area, but the Ratu Mahila Forest is especially known for active women’s participation in conservation efforts. All office bearers and members of its users’ committee are women.
According to National News Agency Nepal, local consumers, especially women from both forests, have played a major role in wildlife protection. Bal Kishore Rayamajhi, founding secretary of the Kalidamar Community Forest Users’ Committee, praised the initiatives taken by local consumers, notably women, as exemplary. He noted that hunting and cattle grazing in the forest area have been strictly prohibited, resulting in noticeable growth of trees that were young just a few years ago.
Kalidamar Forest features a park and stretches along both sides of the BP Highway, witnessing a sharp rise in the number of peacocks and red jungle fowls. The population of deer, antelopes, porcupines, blue bulls (nilgai), and wild boars has also increased. Rayamajhi shared with RSS that the deer in the protected area of Kalapani Park have become so familiar to people that they seem to enjoy being around them.
Muna Shrestha, chairperson of the Ratu Women’s Community Forest Users’ Committee, highlighted the active, passionate, and united role of women in conservation. “When it comes to forest protection, they make no compromises. Women here take turns guarding the forest,” said Shrestha. “They all pull together in the conservation efforts.”
The park area has become a vibrant space for visitors, lifted by the sight and sounds of various colorful birds. Gunja Bahadur Karki, President of the Hotel and Tourism Entrepreneurs’ Association, observed a significant increase in bird populations, with meshwire fencing ensuring domestic animals and people do not enter. Karki noted the potential for the park area to be developed as a tourist destination.
The Chure area in Mahottari district lies entirely within Bardibas municipality. Tourism entrepreneurs suggest that local governments should initiate planned development work to promote places of mythological, religious, and archaeological significance adjoining the dense forest areas.
Hiralal Gautam, coordinator of the Bardibas Committee for the Promotion of Culture and Tourism and President of the Nepal Hotel and Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, Madhesh Province, highlighted the region’s rich heritage. This includes sites like the Tuteshwarnath Mahadev Temple of Mahabharata-era folklore, the Panchadhura Devi shrine of Goddess Adishakti, Raimundal Dham, and the habitat of the endangered vulture, among others. Gautam also mentioned the area’s agricultural and archaeological significance, underscoring its potential as a cultural and tourist hub.