Phidim, July 27

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Management Council has urged the government to grant permission to hunt Himalayan blue sheep in the protected area that lies between Phaktanglung and Srijunga Rural Municipalities in Taplejung district.

“As the population of the Himalayan blue sheep is rapidly growing at Ramjer, Yangma, Gola Block, among other places of the area, we are seeking permission to hunt down 15 to 20 Himalayan blue sheep a year. That would also raise revenues for both the government and the council,” said Khagendra Femso Limbu, the chairperson of the council.

He also said the council had been pushing for permission for the past two years. But the government seemed unwilling to grant he permission fearing adverse impacts on other animal species in the protected area, he added.

As per data available with the council, there were 1,200 Himalayan blue sheep in 2012, the number reached 1,650 in 2015 and 2,000 at present.

According to Chheten Sherpa, member of the council, the hunting of up to 20 Himalayan sheep a year could fetch them Rs 1 million in royalty.  The government has granted permission to hunt the Himalayan blue sheep and jharal in the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve in Rukum, Myagdi and Baglung. Foreigners are allowed to hunt the animal after paying Rs 8 lakh as royalty per animal.