KATHMANDU: Residents of Bahundangi in Jhapa district say they are living in fear as repeated incursions by herds of wild elephants continue to threaten lives, damage homes, and destroy crops.
Local people say the elephants frequently enter settlements, ravaging farmland and creating constant fear of attacks on residents.
According to local authorities, 31 people have lost their lives in elephant attacks in the area over the years, including two fatalities this year.
To reduce human-elephant conflict, the government previously installed a 17.14-kilometre solar-powered electric fence along the western bank of the Mechi River. However, residents say the system has fallen into disrepair, with many of its solar panels no longer functioning.
Local resident Ramesh Dahal urged the government to take immediate measures to prevent wild elephants from entering human settlements, saying the animals continue to destroy crops, damage houses, kill people, and attack livestock.
Former Bahundangi Village Development Committee chairman Nilkantha Tiwari said the District Administration Office, Jhapa, has deployed a Rapid Response Team (RRT) in the area. Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force are also mobilized whenever elephant movements are reported.
Residents have submitted memorandums to Koshi Province Chief Minister Hikmat Kumar Karki, the Prime Minister, and the District Administration Office, Jhapa, calling for stronger measures to protect lives and livelihoods.
Locals say communities in Bahundangi have endured the threat of wild elephant incursions for more than 40 years.
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