By Siraj Khan, Nepalgunj, Mar. 15: A total of 354 animals of the Banke National Park (BNP) were killed in the last seven years while crossing the highway that goes through the youngest national park that was established for the protection of tigers.

According to Mahesh Neupane, Information Officer of the Banke National Park, 24 animals were killed in FY 2071/72, 50 died in 2072/73, 83 in 2073/74, 72 in 2074/75, 32 in 2075/76, 63 in 2076/77 and 30 have got crushed in the current fiscal year.

Neupane said that the animals have continued to get in accidents and killed while crossing the highway for the search of food and water.

The highway goes through the national park so many wildlife are caught in an accident while crossing the road, said Shyam Kumar Shah, chief conservation officer of the Banke National Park, adding that the 40 kilometers per hour speed limit have been enforced with an aim to reduce such casualties.

However, chief Shah is worried as the incidents still continue despite taking action against those who cross the speed limit.

He further said that the overhead bridge has been set up in order to reduce such accidents.

The incidents of animal poaching have also been increasing along with the accidents. A total of 75 cases have been filed by the national park.

Of these, 38 cases have reached the court and 38 cases have been registered in the park. Of the cases registered so far, 63 have been dismissed.

According to the park, the wildlife in the park has caused damage to crops and human lives in the surrounding settlements.

The national park has distributed a total of 5.64 million rupees as relief to the affected households around the national park.

He said that work is underway to increase the sustenance of wild animals in the park, manage water, monitor for poaching control, and study the behavior of wild animals.