JHAPA: Victims of wild elephant attacks in Jhapa have voiced their frustration over the delay in receiving financial assistance. Despite their prolonged ordeal, the Division Forest Office has assured ongoing efforts to provide them with much-needed support.

Since July of the current fiscal year, a total of 533 families have suffered losses due to wild elephant incursions, yet they have not received any relief despite numerous appeals.

Archana Puri, the information officer at the Division Forest Office Jhapa, disclosed that efforts are underway to secure relief funds amounting to Rs 12.6 million for the affected families.

The office has submitted requests for relief funds in two phases: 321 families in the first phase and 212 families in the second phase. However, the relief amount has not yet been disbursed.

“We continue to receive inquiries from the victims regarding relief funds. We assure them that assistance will be provided soon,” stated Puri.

Among the requested relief funds, Rs 5 million is earmarked for the families of the deceased, Rs 851,892 for the injured, Rs 10,000 for livestock killed in the attacks, Rs 2.5497 million for household damage compensation, and Rs 689,600 for grain loss.

Additionally, Rs 3.5482 million has been sought for crop damage caused by elephant raids, as confirmed by the Division Forest Office.

As victims anxiously await financial aid, authorities are urged to expedite the process and alleviate the plight of those affected by the relentless wild elephant encounters in Jhapa.

RSS