Ranjha (Banke), April 27: The under-construction Sikta Irrigation Project in the district has turned into a death trap for wildlife.
The western main canal of the project is not animal-friendly. Wildlife approaching the canal to quench their thirst frequently get trapped in it. Most sections of the canal pass through Banke National Park, as well as the community forests, national forests, and government-managed block forests.
With the onset of summer, animals reach the canal almost every day in search of water, said Division Forest Office information officer Tanka Gurung.
He added that on Saturday, four spotted deer got trapped in the canal near the Haralaphanta Community Forest and were later rescued through joint efforts of forest officials, local residents, forest employees, and park staff.
Similarly, three individuals were arrested on Friday on charges of killing a deer that had been trapped in the canal at Raptisonari Rural Municipality-2. They were caught red-handed while carrying the deer meat home after dividing it. They were apprehended by concerned authorities with the help of local residents.
Senior Forest Officer at the Division Forest Office, Sushil Subedi, said the wild animals come to the main irrigation canal to drink water. According to him, of late many wild animals get stuck in the canal also while escaping the forest fire.
He said that currently, due to the fires occurring in Banke National Park as well as in national, community and other forests, there has been an increase in incidents of wildlife such as spotted deer, deer, nilgai, and wild boar getting trapped in canals while fleeing.
“Most of the western main canal of the Sikta Irrigation Project passes through forest areas, where wildlife used to dwell. The forest area of Bardia National Park also falls here. The canal is not wildlife-friendly; so far, hundreds of animals have been trapped in the canal. Some were rescued when reported, while many times there have also been clandestine poaching of such wild animals,” said Senior Forest Officer Subedi.
Even though ponds have been constructed in the forest areas for wild animals to drink water, there is not enough water in the ponds. There are ponds with water in Trishakti and Bhagawati community forests, but they are not sufficient.
Madan Oli, a community leader of Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality-2, said that although Sikta Irrigation has built some ghats in the canal for wildlife to drink water, those ghats are not safe and reliable.
In his view this problem can be addressed in the long term by constructing wild animal-friendly ghat and setting up wire mesh fence on both sides of the canal except for the ghat.
