Number of Himalayan blue sheep on rise at Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve

Baglung / Jan 6: Number of Himalayan blue sheep has increased at Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve. There are 2,202 Himalayan blue sheep in the Reserve, according to the census carried out by the Reserve Office this year.

A total of 1,648 Himalayan blue sheep were found in course of census carried out five years ago. The Office carries out counting of Himalayan blue sheep every five years.

The Office carried out census of Himalayan blue sheep in six ‘blocks’ out of seven of the reserve in mid-April to mid-June last year. The Himalayan blue sheep is not found in Surtibang ‘block’.

Chief Conservation Officer at the Reserve, Ananath Baral, said that the number of Himalayan blue sheep was found increased compared to previous years.

A total of 755 Himalayan blue sheep were found while carrying out the census 10 years ago. Baral said that the Himalayan blue sheep were found in 83 groups in course of census this year.

The Reserve had carried out census of the Himalayan blue sheep by making three groups at the support of locals.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation determines the quota for hunting the blue sheep on the basis of their number after the census.

Permission is given for hunting 12 mountain goats and Himalayan blue sheep in both seasons – six each in one season. Mostly foreign hunters have been found attracted to hunt the Himalayan blue sheep. It is found at an altitude of 4,000- 5,000 metres above sea level. Different hunting agencies compete for hunting in the Reserve every year. RSS