Jhapa locals struggle to save lives from elephant attacks

By Bishnu Prasad Pokharel,Damak, Dec. 20: For the past two weeks, wild elephants have been seen roaming in various settlements across several municipalities in Jhapa district, creating fear among locals. 

Elephants regularly enter the densely populated settlements, making it increasingly difficult for the locals to avoid fatal encounters with the tuskers.

Elephants have been spotted almost daily in Mechinagar, Shivasatakshi and Damak Municipalities as well as Kamal Rural Municipality. The elephants living in the Ratua Afforestation Project and Hamsedumse Community Forest areas of Damak are entering settlements during the night.

In recent days, elephants have ventured into densely populated areas, including Jhiljhile Bazaar of Shivasatakshi, prompting locals to patrol their neighbourhoods at night, Binod Sapkota, a local said. He said that large crowds gather to drive away the elephants.

“Previously, elephants would only appear occasionally, but now they come every day,” he said. During the daytime, the elephants stay in the forest of the Ratua Afforestation Project, and in the evenings and nighttime, they enter settlements. Local youth have been tasked to monitor and guide the elephants to safer locations, he added.

Elephants have also started entering the Padajungi and Sitapuri areas of Kamal Rural Municipality, which are connected to Shivasatakshi. Reports suggest that the elephants are entering settlements in search of food.

 Similarly, residents of Damak are facing challenges as elephants frequently enter their areas.

According to the Elephant Information Centre in Jhapa, the movement of elephants has increased in the municipalities with forested areas, including Mechinagar Municipality. Shankar Luitel, who is studying elephant movements, said that the noise created by people when elephants enter settlements could lead to significant damage.

He said that the elephants are entering settlements in search of food. Some elephants exhibit destructive behaviour, necessitating extreme caution. Luitel added that the frequency of elephant activities has significantly increased this year, with the animals becoming more settlement-focused. “The best way to avoid harm from elephants is to neither provoke nor disturb them,” he advised.