Pythons start entering villages in search of food

By Lilraj Khadka,Birtamod, Sept. 22:The scarcity of food and water in the jungle has driven pythons to venture into the villages in Jhapa and Ilam district in search of subsistence.

A python was spotted in the northern forest area of Shivasatakshi, along the Jhapa-Ilam border on Friday. Locals suspected that the python roamed around the area while searching for food.

A python, estimated to be around 12 feet long, was discovered near the water tank at Jharna Khola in Satasidham, located in the northern part of Shivasatakshi, Jhapa.

It was spotted by the locals who were out collecting firewood and fodder. The locals said the python's belly appeared swollen and the locals suspected that it had devoured a goat.

Staff from the Ilam Division Forest Office rescued the python and released it into the Charaali Forest.

A few days earlier, a large python was spotted in the forest near Chulachuli Rural Municipality on the Jhapa-Ilam border.

In Chulachuli Rural Municipality-1, Ilam, villagers discovered a python that weighed 40 kg after it had eaten two goats from a nearby field. The District Forest Office in Ilam and officials from the local Forest Users Group rescued the python and released it back into the forest, according to the District Forest Office, Ilam.

The Koshi Province government has developed the Jamunwari Community Forest Group, located in Kanakai Municipality-2, Jhapa, as a wildlife rescue centre. Wild animals, including pythons, are kept there. Locals believe that the shortage of water and adequate food in the forest has prompted pythons to enter the village.