Chitwan, April 15 -- As the federal government is working on new regulations to manage buffer zones around national parks and reserves for implementing conservation-related programmes and policies, people's representatives of local governments are calling for urgent and significant reforms. During a recent discussion held at the headquarters of Chitwan National Park in Kasara, local representatives voiced strong dissatisfaction with the current structure and functioning of buffer zones.

"There is even a movement in our local unit demanding the dissolution of the buffer zone. As responsible representatives, we seek coordination and solutions. The local residents' demand doesn't seem entirely unjustified," said Tara Kumari Mahato, mayor of...