Amid rising concerns over habitat degradation, the Lumbini Provincial Assembly’s Committee on Finance, Industry, and Tourism inspected the Krishnasar Conservation Area in Khairapur, Gulariya Municipality. The visit aimed to address the increasing threats to the blackbuck, a protected species in Nepal.
Tulsi Chaudhary, Chief Whip of the Nepal Communist Party (UML) and a member of the Lumbini Provincial Assembly emphasized the urgent need to safeguard the blackbucks from external threats such as predator attacks. Chaudhary highlighted the pivotal role local governments play in conservation and called for provincial government support. “Promoting and conserving blackbucks is vital for boosting tourism. By developing infrastructure to retain tourists, we can enhance local income through both domestic and international tourism,” Chaudhary stated.
Janmajay Timilsina, Chief Whip of the Nepali Congress in the Lumbini Provincial Assembly, underscored the necessity of collaboration among federal, provincial, and local governments to foster tourism in the conservation area. Timilsina stressed the importance of managing grasslands and reducing invasive species to protect the blackbuck habitat, urging the provincial government to prioritize these conservation efforts.
Surya Khadka, head of the Krishnasar Conservation Area Office, reported on the current state of the blackbuck population, which stands at 224. Khadka outlined the challenges posed by predators such as jackals, leopards, and stray dogs. He also noted the issues arising from the encroachment of settlements within the conservation area. “The number of shelters within the conservation area has increased from 142 to 196, creating additional management challenges. Our office has plans to address these issues and promote eco-tourism, which we will implement in the coming year,” Khadka explained.
The monitoring team included Lumbini Provincial Assembly members Rajuprasad Shrestha, Janmajay Timilsina, Tulsi Prasad Chaudhary, Khem Bahadur Saru, Bhagwati Chaudhary, and Tulsiram Sharma, all of whom expressed their commitment to enhancing conservation efforts for the blackbuck and supporting sustainable tourism in the region.
