Dhorpatan (Baglung): The second hunting season of the year in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal’s only legal hunting reserve, has concluded with fewer wild animals hunted than permitted. According to officials, hunters managed to kill only 11 Himalayan blue sheep (naur) and 7 Himalayan tahr (jharal) during the Phalgun to Baisakh (mid-February to late April) hunting window.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation had opened bidding for the second season on Magh 15 (late January), issuing permits for the hunting of 35 wild animals, including 13 naur, 10 jharal, and 12 wild boars. However, no wild boars were hunted, despite the permits issued.

Six companies were authorized for this season:

-Himalayan Wildlife Outfits Pvt. Ltd.

-Tracks and Trails Pvt. Ltd.

-Himalayan Safaris Pvt. Ltd.

-Global Safaris Nepal

-Nepal Travel Expeditions

-Open Nepal Wildlife Safaris and Treks Pvt. Ltd.

The designated hunting blocks included Falgune, Sundaha, Ghustung, Dogadi, and Barse within the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve.

According to Sagar Subedi, ranger at the Dhorpatan Game Reserve Office, poachers (licensed hunters) arrived starting Chaitra 26 (early April). The block-wise hunting breakdown is as follows:

-Sundaha Block: 2 naur, 2 jharal

-Ghustung Block: 3 naur, 3 jharal

-Dogadi Block: 4 naur, 1 jharal

-Falgune Block: 1 naur, 1 jharal

-Barse Block: 1 naur

Among the companies, Himalayan Wildlife Outfits had permits for 2 naur and 2 jharal but hunted only one of each. Tracks and Trails Pvt. Ltd., with American clients, used their full quota of 2 naur and 2 jharal. Himalayan Safaris Pvt. Ltd. had permits for three hunters targeting three naur, one jharal, and two wild boars; they managed to hunt two naur and one jharal.

Similarly, hunters from Nepal Travel Expeditions and Open Nepal Wildlife Safaris and Treks had combined permissions for multiple animals, including wild boars, but overall hunted only a fraction of the allocated numbers. Notably, no wild boars were hunted, despite permits being issued for twelve.

Foreign hunters from the United States, Argentina, Spain, and France participated in this season. Dhorpatan holds hunting seasons twice a year — the first from Asoj to Mangsir (mid-September to early December) and the second from Phalgun to Baisakh.

The reduced number of animals hunted, especially wild boars, suggests either logistical challenges, stricter enforcement, or changing attitudes toward trophy hunting.