Wild elephant roaming in Jhiljhile, Jhapa, causing panic among locals

By Bishnu Prasad Pokhrel,Damak, Nov. 28: On Tuesday evening, a wild elephant entered the main market area of Jhiljhile in Shivasatakshi Municipality, Jhapa, causing panic among locals. Several days earlier, the elephant had been spotted in the forest area of the Ratuwa Mai Reforestation Project, located north of Jhiljhile Bazaar.

According to the Area Police Office, Jhiljhile, the elephant entered the market area around 8 pm. Reports suggested that some shopkeepers fled, abandoning their stores. Although elephants frequently roam near forests and rural areas, their presence in urban centres like the one on Tuesday night was rare.

Binod Sapkota, a local, shared that the elephant's entry caused chaos for a while. “We used microphones and honked horns to drive the elephant back to the forest,” he said. He added that locals stayed alert throughout the night after the incident.

In recent days, the movement of wild elephants has increased in various areas of Jhapa, including Mechinagar and Damak. Their presence has disrupted daily life in several municipalities across the district. Just a week ago, a person in Damak was killed by an elephant.