KALIKOT: Owing to rampant deforestation and unchecked poaching, wildlife in the district’s forest has been endangered.

Animals and birds are disappearing from the area gradually as the forest area decreases. Ghoral, deer, tiger, and jackal, among others, are found in the forest. Similarly the forest abounds in birds like Danphe, Munal and dove among others.

According to the District Forest Office, the animals and birds could soon die out soon due to encroachment and poaching. Bhanubhakta Pandey, chairman, Forest Users’ Committee, Kalikot, said the species were disappearing as their habitat was being destroyed.

Purna Shahi, secretary, Dudhesilla Community Forest, said that deforestation and poaching was on the rise due to lack of awareness among the locals. He claimed that 70 per cent of the forest in Bharta VDC had been cleared while exporting ‘kainet’, a stone.

Local leader Kurmaraj Shahi said, “A meeting held at the District Development Committee formed a committee including all the political parties to monitor the forest area of the district.’’

Amalraj Shahi, civil society member said, “Though the law has prohibited exporting forest products and hunting animals, it was not being implemented,” adding, “The next generation would see birds and animals only in the zoos if the government did not take any corrective measure at the earliest.’’