DHORPATAN The only hunting reserve in Nepal

Nepal western development region is a hub in terms of tourism attration.Beautiful Sceneries ,excellent mountain views,fast flowing river, lakes and unique culture and tradition of people of different ethnic makes this region on of the richest in the country in terms of tourism attractions.Unfortunately ,most of the people here are yet to get the benifit from these attractions. Except Pokhara , the Annapurna region and a few other places,most of the potential area in the region are yet to come into the attention of tourist.Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve laying in Myagdi ,Baglung and Rukum district is one such area .The reserve is the only protected area in the country where Licensed hunting is allowed. Dhorpatan Hunting was established in 1983 and gazetted in 1987. The Area's vegetation is characterized  by mixed hardwood forest at lower elevation and many plants species of drier climate to the north. Dhorpatan is one of the prime habitats of blue sheeps- the most coverted trophy for Hunters. Other animals found in the reserve are leopard ,Himalayan black beer ,barking deer ,wild boar ,rhesus macaque,langur and mouse hare. Pheasant and partridge are common and healthy population in the reserve permits controlled hunting.Endangered animals in the reseve include musk deer,wolf,red panda ,cheer pheasent and Danphe- the national Bird of Nepal.The Department of National Parks and Wilf Life Conservation issure hunting license in six blocks in the reserve. Dhorpatan is the only protected area in the country where licensed hunting of bluce sheep is allowed.Though hunting contradicts with the conservation efforts ,Officials allow hunting of a certain sepcies in certian Blocks in the protected area.the department of National parks and Wildlife Conservation allows interested parties to hunt only in area where the population of Blue Sheep is high.