BAGLUNG: Non-biodegradable waste is rapidly accumulating in Bukipatan, located within Nepal’s only hunting reserve, Dhorpatan, following a surge in tourist arrivals.

The pristine image of Bukipatan is beginning to fade as visitors carelessly discard waste. Concerns are mounting over the environmental impact as plastic bottles, instant noodle and biscuit wrappers, and beer bottles are left scattered across the landscape.

Tirtha Bahadur Gharti Magar, a resident of Dhorpatan Municipality-9, noted that waste began accumulating after hundreds of tourists started visiting Bukipatan daily—a location primarily used by herders until four years ago.

Gharti Magar added that the litter strewn across the meadows has marred the area’s natural beauty. Beyond littering, tourists are also picking wildflowers while they are still buds, threatening the survival of local flora.

Locals have expressed frustration that no official body has shown any interest in clearing the plastic and glass waste accumulating in this high-altitude zone, which sits over 4,200 metres above sea level.

Bukipatan is a unique asset to Baglung, possessing an indescribable natural beauty. While hundreds of tourists hike up daily to enjoy the scenery, the growing tendency of visitors to carry food in plastic and glass containers and discard the packaging on-site has proven detrimental to environmental conservation.

This issue extends beyond the immediate Bukipatan area. Debris such as biscuit and noodle wrappers, glassware, energy drink cans, and water bottles can be seen scattered along the trailside, ravines, ridges, rivers, and pathways leading up from Pakhather in the Dhorpatan Valley. Locals maintain that the Hunting Reserve administration must also take proactive steps to manage this waste.

Tul Bahadur Adai, a livestock farmer from Dhorpatan Municipality-6, complained that cattle frequently fall ill and die after consuming plastic waste discarded by tourists in the grazing pastures.

According to residents, tourists continue to litter indiscriminately despite herders digging pits at various locations specifically for waste disposal. Adai highlighted Garpachheda, Dahakharka, Phursedeurali, Tikadhara, and the Phagune area as the worst-affected zones.

Another local, Kul Bahadur BK, reported that approximately 60 sheep, goats, cows, and buffaloes fell ill last year after ingesting scattered plastic in Bukipatan. Herders from Baglung, Rolpa, Rukum, Dolpa, and Myagdi regularly travel to these high-altitude pastures to graze their livestock on the nutrient-rich grass.