KATHMANDU: Wild elephants from Parsa National Park have been causing significant disturbances in various wards of Chandrapur, Gujara, Brindavan, and Phatuwa Bijaypur Municipalities in Rautahat for an extended period.
The problem has escalated since July 2024, with elephants damaging crops and properties on a daily basis. Previously, the elephants would stay in the area for only a few days, but now they have become a constant menace, especially to agricultural fields.
The herd of elephants has particularly targeted banana plantations, destroying crops in areas like Chandrapur-3.
Local farmer Lal Bahadur Dong reported that elephants have devastated a banana plantation of about one bigha, destroying nearly 700 banana bushes in the growing season.
Dong, who cultivates bananas on rented land in Judibela, expressed frustration as his crops were uninsured.
Elephants have also wreaked havoc on maize and wheat fields.
Deepak Gautam, a local, reported the destruction of 400 banana plants in 13 plots, alongside extensive damage to maize fields belonging to various locals.
The damage has also extended to houses, with eight homes destroyed in Chandrapur Municipality and four in Phatuwa Bijaypur Municipality-11.
Local authorities are considering using inhalers, devices that deliver a light shock to deter wild animals, to manage the situation.
Hemanta Prasad Sah, Chief of the Division Forest Office, emphasized that this method could help prevent further damage when elephants become disruptive.
The Division Forest Office is also working on compensating those affected by elephant damage, including for loss of life, injury, house destruction, and crop damage.
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