Sanjay Mishra, a forest officer at the Forest Department, Dharmapur, said that entry was banned after wild animals started attacking and killing those who went to the forest to collect grass and firewood.
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The Indian Forest Department has banned cutting grass, collecting firewood and grazing in the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Bahraich, bordering Nepal. The Dharmapur Range Post under the sanctuary has said that it has banned Nepalis after wildlife attacks on civilians while cutting grass.
Most farmers in Nepali villages along the border depend on Indian forests for firewood. There are no forests in the Nepali border area. Forest Department, Dharmapur, forest worker Sanjay Mishra said that cutting grass was banned after wild animals attacked and killed those who entered the forest to cut grass and firewood.
Mishra said that the number of tigers, leopards and elephants in the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is increasing. Leopards coming from the forest in the border area have started attacking and killing domestic animals including dogs every day in the settlements. Sona Sunar of Madhuvan Municipality said that leopards come out of the Indian forest and enter the settlements as soon as evening falls. "Earlier, men were banned from entering the Indian forest," she said. "Even though women were allowed to bring grass and firewood, now they are being stopped due to the fear of tigers, leopards and elephants."
An officer of the Armed Police BOP Taratal said that they did not agree to the advice not to go because of the increased risk of wildlife in the Indian forest. He said that the Indian forest officials had banned it for the same reason. The border residents of Bardiya have been affected after the ban on grass, firewood and grazing. The residents of this region have been dependent on the Indian forest for years as there are no forests near the border villages. Locals said that Nepalis have been paying food to forest officials and other employees in exchange for grass, firewood and grazing in the Indian forest.
