BAJURA, JANUARY 2

Freezing cold triggered by snowfall in the highlands has led to the rise in smuggling of rare wild species in Bajura.

Smuggling of wildlife has escalated at various places, including Martadi, Dahakot, Manakot, Toli, Kailashmandu, Kanda, Rugin, Chhatara, and Dogadi.

Locals have set out into the forest with guns, spears, and knives for poaching and smuggling of wild animals.

A local from Jayabageswori says that wild animals walk down the lowland from highland with thick snowfall and poachers and smugglers get out for hunting the beasts.

According to the local, animals and birds such as lophophorous, gharial, tigers, and bears are being hunted down. 'Locals use guns and traps to kill wild animals while some also use dogs to hunt down deer,' said locals.

A seller of venison said that one kilogramme of the meat would cost Rs 1,000 at Martadi. The meat of wild beasts sells well during the winter. Employees of contractors' companies and traders buy the meat of poached wild beasts at the headquarters the most.

It is learnt that skin of tiger and other beasts is being sold to China and India.

A version of this article appears in the print on January 3, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.