Kathmandu, October 28

The clause-wise discussion by Environment Protection Committee of the Parliament on National Park and Wildlife Conservation Bill-2071 has been postponed until further notice due to disagreements on the provision of buffer zone management.

The discussion had begun on Wednesday between parliamentarians and Ministry officials of the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation.

The committee informed that the only disagreement was on the definition of ‘national park and protected areas’. While the ministry said that buffer zones must also be included in the definition, parliamentarians asserted that buffer zones must be separated from national parks and protected areas.

“All committee members said that buffer zones must not be included in the definition of national parks and protected areas, and must have a separate provision,” Chairman of the committee Janak Raj Chaudhary told The Himalayan Times, “After the disagreement, the meeting was postponed, and further discussions on the issue will take place in the next meeting after Chhath.”

On the first day of the clause-wise discussion, parliamentarians sought a clear provision to reduce conflict between protected areas and buffer zones caused by the provision of the previous National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act-2029.

As per the act, locals of the buffer zone areas are restricted from using roads, laying drinking water pipes, digging irrigation canals, and carrying out other activities along protected areas.

The newly introduced bill envisages a provision to form a separate fund for the development of buffer zone area with 50 per cent of the income generated by protected areas.

At the meeting held yesterday, Secretary of the Ministry of Forest and Environment Krishna Chandra Paudel said biodiversity conservation should be prioritised.

The government is making preparations to amend the National Park and Wildlife Act-1973 to allow the general public to keep and breed certain species of wild animals. The proposed provision also envisages providing seed animals to such individuals for a certain period under the proposed amendment.

The proposed amendment aims to attract the private sector in the rearing and breeding of wild animals. Body parts and goods made of parts of such animals may be sold, distributed, and exported, as per the new provision.

Organisations or entities will be allowed to establish a zoo for educational, entertainment, and breeding purposes under certain terms.

Eligible organisations can also obtain permission to establish wildlife rescue centres and wildlife hospitals to look after orphaned, rescued, and troubled animals.