'Sikta Irrigation Project's western main canal not wildlife friendly'

RANJHA, BANKE: The under-construction Sikta Irrigation Project in Banke district has become a death trap for wildlife, officials say, after numerous animals were found trapped in the western main canal that runs through forested areas.

Division Forest Office Information Officer Tanka Gurung said animals reach the canal almost every day with the onset of summer in search of water. He said on Saturday, four spotted deer were trapped in the canal near Haralaphanta Community Forest and were later rescued through joint efforts by forest officials, local residents, forest employees and park staff.

Meanwhile, three people were arrested on Friday on charges of killing a deer that had been trapped in the canal at Raptisonari Rural Municipality-2. Authorities said the suspects were caught carrying divided deer meat after killing the animal and were apprehended with the help of local residents.

Senior Forest Officer Sushil Subedi said most sections of the western main canal pass through Banke National Park, community forests, national forests and government-managed block forests, and that the canal’s steep, animal-unfriendly banks have led to hundreds of animals becoming trapped. He added that recent fires in Banke National Park and surrounding forests have driven wildlife such as spotted deer, nilgai and wild boar towards the canal, increasing the number of entrapments.

Officials said ponds have been constructed in some forest areas to provide water for wildlife, but these are not holding sufficient water. There are ponds with water in Trishakti and Bhagawati community forests, but they are inadequate to meet demand.

Madan Oli, community leader of Rapti Sonari-2, said Sikta Irrigation has built some ghats in the canal for wildlife to drink, but the ghats are not safe or reliable. He suggested a long-term solution of constructing wildlife-friendly ghats and installing wire-mesh fencing on both sides of the canal except at the ghats to prevent animals from falling in while still allowing access to water.