Nepal's Wildlife Damage Relief Guidelines 2080: Bridging Conservation and Community Needs

 Nepal is a global conservation success story. Home to iconic species like the Bengal tiger, one-horned rhinoceros, and Asian elephant, the country has seen remarkable recoveries in wildlife populations, particularly in protected areas like Chitwan and Bardia National Parks. But this triumph comes with a human cost: escalating human-wildlife conflict (HWC). As animals venture beyond park boundaries in search of food and territory, villagers face crop raids, livestock losses, property damage, and even tragic human fatalities.

To address this, the Government of Nepal introduced the Wildlife Damage Relief Distribution Guidelines 2080 (effective July 17, 2023). This policy aims to provide timely compensation to victims, fostering tolerance for wildlife and supporting coexistence. Yet, more than two years later, implementation challenges persist.

 Wildlife Damage Relief Distribution Guidelines 2080?

The 2080 guidelines replace earlier versions (like the 2069 BS guidelines with amendments). Key improvements include:

• Expanded Coverage: Compensation now applies to damages from 16 wildlife species (up from 14), adding nilgai (blue bull) and monkeys – common crop raiders in the Terai plains and hills.
• Broader Relief Categories: Includes human death/injury, livestock loss (now covering fish and poultry once per year), crop damage, stored grain destruction, and property damage – but only on private land outside protected areas.
• Decentralized Process: Victims can file claims at provincial forest offices, closer to home, aligning with Nepal's federal structure.
• Compensation Amounts:
  • Human death: Up to NPR 1 million 
  • Serious injury: Up to NPR 2,00,000
  • Minor injury: Up to NPR 20,000.
  • Livestock (e.g., buffalo/cow): Up to NPR 60,000 per animal.
  • Property/shed damage: Up to NPR 20,000.

These changes were designed to make relief faster and more accessible, building community support for conservation.

The Promise vs. Reality

On paper, the guidelines are a step forward. Over the past decade, Nepal has distributed millions in relief, helping mitigate resentment toward wildlife. Quick compensation can turn potential poachers into protectors.

However, ground realities tell a different story. By late 2025, delays remain rampant:

• Bureaucratic Bottlenecks:  documentation requirements (police reports, ward certifications) and verification processes cause months-long waits.
• Budget Shortages: Provincial offices often lack dedicated funds, leading to backlogs. In Koshi Province, for instance, payments for 2023-24 and 2024-25 incidents were only cleared mid-2025.
• Regional Variations: Terai regions bear the brunt of elephants and rhinos, while hills struggle with monkeys and leopards – but relief distribution is uneven.

Recent reports from areas like Jhapa and Morang highlight farmers abandoning claims due to prolonged delays, exacerbating poverty in already vulnerable communities.

A Path Forward

Nepal's conservation achievements – zero rhino poaching for years and doubling tiger numbers – are enviable. But sustainable success requires addressing HWC head-on. Suggestions from experts and locals include:

• Streamlining claims with digital portals.
• Allocating dedicated annual budgets at provincial levels.
• Community-based mitigation: Electric fencing, early warning systems, and alternative livelihoods (e.g., eco-tourism).
• Expanding coverage to more species and scenarios.

As Nepal balances biodiversity protection with human well-being, the Guidelines 2080 represent progress – but effective implementation is key to true harmony between people and wildlife.