The journey of conflict and coexistence between humans and wildlife is long. When we go back to the past of human civilization, we also reach a period when we had to hunt to survive. Human society has come a long way from the situation at that time. There is no longer any compulsion to hunt wild animals for survival. Because, humans have identified alternative skills and resources.

There are also plenty of food options. With the development of science and technology, humans have achieved the peak of civilization. In the meantime, they are also being forced to face the negative effects on the environment and ecology due to the destruction of forest areas. The existential crisis of wildlife has become a matter of serious concern.

As a result, one of the main agendas of the human race, which was once forced to make a living by hunting, has also become the protection and conservation of wildlife. On the other hand, citizens living in rural areas of Nepal, especially in the vicinity of wild areas, are also suffering from attacks by wild animals. The state should implement effective programs to reduce conflicts between humans and wild animals.

In 2009, there were 121 tigers, and Nepal had set a target of doubling its tiger population by 2022. In the 2022 census, the number of tigers in Nepal reached 355. That is, an increase of 100 tigers over the target. This shows that Nepal's tiger conservation programs have been successful.

But at the same time, human settlement around the wild areas is increasing, and this has led to encroachment on the wild areas. Similarly, many families are dependent on the wild areas for their livelihoods. This has increased the risk of encounters and conflicts between humans and wildlife. Whether humans enter the forest or animals like tigers come out of the forest, humans are attacked. For example, 35 people have been attacked by tigers in Bardiya National Park from 2073 to 2081. Of these, 12 have died.

There are stories of shock and separation suffered by the families of those who are forced to die in tiger attacks. Those who are seriously injured suffer more extensively, both themselves and their families. On the one hand, they have to bear the burden of lifelong physical disability and on the other hand, the burden of debt imposed by the treatment. One example is Pushpa Tamang of Gabar Basti, Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality-1. She was attacked and injured by a tiger while she was in the forest to cut grass.

50,000 rupees were spent on her treatment in the first three days. She has not fully recovered. She has problems such as headaches, inability to move her left arm and leg, and occasional fainting. Pushpa needs medicine worth 3,500 rupees per month. Her husband, who is employed abroad, has also had to return to take care of her. Due to this, he is not able to do regular work according to his skills. Meanwhile, the family is facing increasing debt.

The Human-Wildlife Conflict Relief Guidelines, prepared in accordance with the Forest Act and the National Park Act, provide relief and compensation to wildlife victims. According to which, there is a provision to provide relief of Rs 1 million to the family of a person who dies due to a wild animal attack, Rs 500,000 to those who become physically disabled for life, and a maximum of Rs 200,000 to those who are seriously injured. But the process of receiving the money is very complicated.

The state should work with attention to some aspects to address this issue related to human-wildlife conflict. First, to minimize conflict, human interference, exploitation, and dependence on forests should be reduced. Therefore, employment programs should be implemented to end dependence on forests for daily livelihood.

Just as the government has given high priority to tiger conservation, priority should also be given to protecting local residents from attacks. It was said that the 'Prime Minister's Tiger Conservation and Livelihood Program' would be launched in 2079 BS. Along with tiger conservation, an attempt was made to set up a fund of Rs 1 billion with the aim of improving the livelihood of local communities around tiger habitats and reducing human-tiger conflict, but the budget has not been allocated.

Second, just as it is said that people should enter the forest, a plan should also be implemented to prevent animals like tigers from entering human settlements. According to experts, a tiger needs a pond and three to five hectares of grassland in an area of ​​about four square kilometers. Therefore, the state itself should focus on adding grassland, building artificial ponds, and fencing areas where the risk of attack is high. If the livelihood paths and areas of humans and wildlife can be separated, there can be no encounter and no conflict between them.

Third, since a large amount of money is spent on the treatment of victims of attacks, the amount of relief and compensation should be increased. In addition, the process of providing funds should be speeded up and the amount should be made higher. Currently, within 35 days of the incident, the ward office and the police must prepare a document, the victim's application with a doctor's 'prescription' and the local level's recommendation must be registered with the Sub-Division Forest Office, the Sub-Division must conduct an on-site investigation and send a recommendation to the Division Forest Office, the committee formed by the Division Office must recommend relief and treatment expenses to the Ministry of Forests, the Ministry must send the file to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, and the department must send the money to the account of the relevant Division Forest Office through the Ministry.