JUMLA, July 12: For sheep farmers in Jumla, lightning strikes on highland pastures have become an annual disaster. Yet while the losses run into millions of rupees, the government's compensation amounts to just Rs 1,886 per sheep.
On June 22 last year, lightning struck the Thulo Hanka pasture in Dhauligad, Guthichaur Rural Municipality, killing 197 sheep owned by seven farmers. Including similar incidents in other alpine grazing areas, the total number of sheep killed by lightning has reached 265.
According to Gyanendra Singh Budhathapa, Livestock Development Officer at the Livestock Hospital and Veterinary Service Office in Jumla, relief was distributed to 18 affected farmers under the Karnali Provincial Government's natural disaster relief program.
Among those compensated, Jang Khatri of Chandannath Municipality received Rs 86,756 after losing 46 sheep. Harindra Budhathapa received Rs 39,606 for 21 sheep, while Bishnu Bahadur Bhakri was paid Rs 26,404 for 14 sheep.
Lightning kills around 500 sheep in Jumla
In Sinja Rural Municipality, Takk Budha received Rs 41,492 for 22 sheep, Belkaura Budha received Rs 20,746 for 11 sheep, and Bhote Budha received Rs 18,860 for 10 sheep.
Other recipients included Dhan Bahadur Rawat, who received Rs 58,466 for 31 sheep, Raj Bahadur Rawat, who received Rs 24,518 for 13 sheep, Prem Bahadur Rawat, who received Rs 41,492 for 22 sheep, and Brish Rawat, who received Rs 13,202 for seven sheep.
Farmers in Hima, Tatopani, and Guthichaur rural municipalities also received compensation ranging from Rs 3,772 to Rs 30,176, depending on the number of animals lost.
Veterinarian Dr. Bhim Prasad Timilsina said a sheep in Jumla is worth between Rs 15,000 and Rs 17,000 under the district's official valuation. Although provincial guidelines provide for Rs 2,000 in compensation per sheep, farmers actually received only Rs 1,886 each.
The provincial government allocated Rs 500,000 for the relief program last fiscal year and Rs 400,000 for the current fiscal year. Chandannath Municipality separately provided an additional Rs 1,000 per sheep to three local farmers.
Many farmers say the compensation is grossly inadequate. Jang Khatri, who lost 46 sheep worth at least Rs 782,000, received only Rs 86,756.
"Goat meat sells for Rs 1,100 per kilogram in Jumla. The government's compensation has rubbed salt into our wounds instead of helping us," he said.
Dhan Bahadur Rawat of Sinja Rural Municipality said he was seriously injured in the same lightning strike that killed his 31 sheep. He spent hundreds of thousands of rupees on treatment in Kathmandu and now struggles to continue sheep farming.
"My sheep worth more than Rs 500,000 died, and I was left disabled. The government believes it fulfilled its responsibility by paying Rs 1,886 per sheep," he said.
Farmers say they also face losses every year from wild animal attacks and disease. During the monsoon, sheep gather under the same shelter during rain, making them especially vulnerable to lightning strikes.
Victims blame the lack of livestock insurance, the absence of mandatory insurance policies from local governments, and inadequate disaster relief for pushing the traditional sheep farming business into crisis.
According to the Livestock Hospital and Veterinary Service Office, Jumla has more than 1,700 sheep farmers, with 88,388 sheep, 46,306 goats, and nearly 69,000 hectares of grazing land. Officials say the shortage of proper shelters in alpine pastures and poor pasture management continue to increase the risk of such disasters.
Dr. Timilsina said losses will continue unless authorities invest in safer livestock sheds, improved grazing land, and better pasture management.
The Karnali Provincial Government currently provides an annual shepherd allowance of Rs 18,000, paid at Rs 1,500 per month, to farmers in Jumla, Kalikot, Humla, Mugu, and Dolpa who raise more than 50 sheep or goats.
