CHITWAN: Various government agencies and organizations have extended financial and material assistance to the family of a mother and son killed in an attack by a wild elephant in Bharatpur.
The victims, 21-year-old Ashika Bote and her four-year-old son Bharat Bote of Bharatpur Metropolitan City-23, were killed on July 4 after the wild elephant, locally known as Dhurbe, entered their home from a nearby forest.
During the incident, Ashika’s husband, Punu Bote, attempted to drive the elephant away by lighting a fire, but the house was completely destroyed in the blaze.
Chitwan National Park has provided Rs 2.1 million in relief, including Rs 2 million in compensation—Rs 1 million for each deceased—and Rs 100,000 for funeral expenses, in line with the Wildlife Damage Relief Guidelines, 2080.
The relief amount was jointly handed over by Chief Conservation Officer Dil Bahadur Purja Pun and Chief District Officer Ganesh Aryal.
According to the park’s Information Officer, Avinash Thapa Magar, the park will also provide timber, stones and gravel required to rebuild the family’s home.
Bharatpur Metropolitan City has provided Rs 400,000, along with food supplies and clothing, through a team led by Acting Mayor Chitrasen Adhikari.
Additional assistance has been pledged by several organizations, including the Nepal Bote Society (Rs 60,000), Nepali Congress Chitwan (Rs 30,000), the District Administration Office (Rs 15,000), Kerunga Buffer Zone Community Forest (Rs 50,000), and the Chitwan District Coordination Committee (Rs 23,000), according to Ward No. 23 Chair Deepak Dawadi.
Former minister Bikram Pandey has also contributed food and clothing, while the Jagatpur sub-branch of the Nepal Red Cross Society provided tarpaulins, blankets and kitchen utensils. Belhatta Hariyali Youth Club has arranged temporary shelter for the affected family.
Ward Chair Dawadi said several other individuals and organizations are also continuing to provide support.
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