DAMAULI: Ponds have been constructed in 17 community forests of Tanahun with the grant assistance of Division Forest Office, Tanahun.

Ponds were constructed in different 17 community forests in the last fiscal year, targeting wildlife preservation. Chief of Division Forest Office, Komal Raj Kafle, shared that 12 ponds were built in Bhanu municipality, two in Myagde rural municipality and one each in Devghat, Rishing and Bandipur rural municipality.

He said ponds were constructed in forests for the management of growing human-wildlife conflict. Highest number of ponds were built in Bhanu municipality taking into consideration frequent incidents of bear rampage.

The forest office has placed a pond protection campaign after the wildlife started rampaging in human settlement in search for water with the drying up of water sources in forest. “There is an increasing threat of leopard attack in Tanahun for the past couple of years. Water sources are drying up in forests. The jungle cat started entering into nearby human settlement searching water”, he said, adding, many people had to lose their lives in leopard attack.

The office sources said the campaign would be a crucial move to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. As informed, the office has provided a grant assistance of Rs 1.48 million for the construction of ponds in 17 community forests.

According to the official data, 11 community forests were provided with Rs 100,000 each, Rs 50,000 each to five community forests and Rs 130,000 to a community forest. Ponds have been constructed in Deurali, Kalika, Sano Deurali, Marsyangdi, Bhimsen Thumki, Majuwa Okhle, Lohipakha, Ratmate, Pattharedhunga, Bhanubhakta, Belthumki, Tilahar, Jhankrithumka, Indrachek, Palethumki of Devghat, Barse Garha Thakuridanda of Bandipur, Barahi and Jyantang community forest of Myagde.