A meager salary, a hectic scheduled and the tiresome task of dealing with obstinate people ignorant about the benefits of the forest, leave Basel feeling that his job entails a lot of effort but has no personal benefits to offer. [break]
He said that apart from the other hassles of being a forest caretaker, there is also a risk to his life. Bishwanath Timalsina, 68, of Jagatpur-4, a colleague with whom he had set off to patrol the forest at night, was found dead the following morning. It is yet to be established whether Timalsina was murdered or died in an accident.
“Timalsina´s body was found in a small hollow in the jungle. One of his hands was missing while there was a deep cut, apparently caused by some sharp weapon, in the palm of his other hand,” said Dil Bahadur. Dil Bahaur and other forest caretakers and villagers believe it is a case of murder. However, the authorities including police informed that Timalsina died in a crocodile attack.
“I can´t believe that a crocodile would ever come to the spot where Timalsina´s body was recovered. Even the autopsy report could not establish the cause of death,” Dil Bahadur added.
Jagatpur village is adjacent to the head office of Chitawan National Park. The possibility of poacher involvement in Timalsina´s death cannot be ruled out as the area is home to endangered wildlife such as tiger and the one-horned rhino. Local villagers surmise that poachers might have killed him to get rid of an obstacle to their criminal activities.
Some months ago, Timalsina had told colleagues that some people were threatening him with dire consequences. “Two people have been threatening my life. I will share the details after a few days,” San Bahadur Tamang, a local who is also treasurer of Kerunga Buffer Zone Consumer Committee at CNP, quoted him as saying.
After Timalsina´s death and the mystery surrounding it, forest caretakers have lost their self-confidence. There are nine forest caretakers working in the forest area of Kerunga Buffer Zone Consumer Committee. “A life was lost and no justice has been done yet. What else should I say,” said Bhim Bahadur Tamang, another forest caretaker.
The forest caretakers´ monthly salary has just been increased from Rs 4,200 to 6,200.
“Everyone talks about forest conservation but no one cares about us forest caretakers,who take care of the forests and wildlife day in day out,” said forest caretaker Dilli Ram Aryal. There are over 75 Buffer Zone Community Forests around the CNP where over 200 forest caretakers have been working.
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