Chitwan, May 9

The Cabinet has amended the existing National Park Act to introduce more stringent laws against smuggling of forest resources in an attempt to reduce smuggling in Chitwan National Park and elsewhere.

Before the amendment, anyone found guilty of smuggling forest resources would have to pay a fine of up to Rs 10,000 and be imprisoned for up to two years.

As per the fifth amendment in the National Park Act, anyone convicted in the smuggling of forest resources will now have to pay double the worth of the smuggled item in fine if the smuggled item was worth more than 10,000 rupees.

“The current punitive measures fell short in deterring prospective smugglers, so we had to hike the fine,” said Chief Conservation Officer Ramchandra Kandel.

“If the smuggled item is worth up to 1,000 rupees, the smuggler can pay just that amount. For items that are worth between 1,000 and 10,000 rupees, the guilty will be liable to pay a fine equal in amount to the item’s worth and can face a jail term of up to six months. For items that are worth more than 10,000 rupees, the guilty will be charged with a fine double the amount and a prison term up to one year,” he said.