Drone to guide elephants to safe locations in Jhapa

By Bishnu Prasad Pokharel,Damak, Feb. 5: After the wild elephants started venturing into urban centres, posing a significant threat to the security of the locals, Damak Municipality has decided to purchase two drones to observe the animals and guide them to safe locations.    

Elephants are being spotted near densely populated areas such as Birtamod, Shivasatakshi, Surunga, Damak and Kerkha within the district.

Nabin Baral, Ward Chairman of Damak Municipality-3, emphasised the necessity of drones for monitoring elephants and guiding them to safer locations.

Damak Municipality formed a committee under the coordination of Baral to propose solutions to the elephant-related damages and implement necessary measures to address the havoc caused by the elephants.

The committee put forward the suggestion of using drones to guide elephants to safer locations by emitting sirens and simulating the sound of bees.

Damak Municipality has formally submitted a letter to the District Administration Office in Jhapa, seeking permission to use drones for controlling elephant movements. The municipality informed that obtaining approval from the district administration office is essential for drone operation. “Once the permission is granted, the procurement process for the drones will begin,” Baral added.

Shankar Luitel, who is researching elephants and advocating for human-elephant coexistence, said that elephants have ventured into the city in search of salt-rich food. He highlighted the potential risks, particularly if an elephant got attracted to garbage within the urban area, which could result in significant damage.

Luitel said that the presence of picnic areas in the community forests near the city, coupled with the disposal of garbage by municipalities in the nearby forests, has attracted elephants closer to the urban areas. 

“Elephants searching for food are drawn to salty sources. If they find such food readily available, they are likely to linger in the vicinity,” he added.

Previously, elephants would find ample salty soil at the base of the Chure forest corridor, where they would feed on it. However, with the reduction of this food source in the forest, the challenge has escalated, leading to frequent appearances of wild elephants in human settlements.

In Jhapa, within two months, five individuals were killed in elephant attacks. The Division Forest Office in Jhapa reported that these fatalities occurred between December and January. 

Additionally, two elephants were found dead during the same time. This alarming trend indicates an escalation in both human and elephant casualties, highlighting the urgent need for effective mitigation measures.