Special plan needed to curb wild elephant rampage

By Bishnu Prasad Pokhrel,Damak, Jan. 9: Federal Minister for Forests and Environment, Ain Bahadur Shahi, has stressed the need for a special plan to limit the damage caused by wild elephants. 

He said that the government would move forward with new acts, laws and necessary strategies to address the growing problem of wild elephants.

Speaking during an inspection and discussion at the elephant corridor in Bahundangi, a highly affected area in Mechinagar Municipality of the Jhapa district, Minister Shahi highlighted the worsening issue of wild elephants in Jhapa and across the country.

He said that different areas experience varying types of elephant-related problems, and pledged to move forward based on local-level suggestions.

Locals urged the minister to develop community-based programmes aimed at reducing the damage and creating a elephant-friendly environment in the affected areas.

On Tuesday, a multi-stakeholder discussion was held under the leadership of Nepali Congress General Secretary and Member of Parliament, Bishwa Prakash Sharma, to address issues caused by wild elephants. 

During the discussion, it was revealed that 72 people have lost their lives due to elephant attacks in Jhapa, while 21 elephants have also died or been killed.

Sadananda Mandal, Minister for Tourism, Forests and Environment of Koshi Province, said that the problem of wild elephants is increasing in the province, resulting in significant loss of life and property. 

He informed participants that the provincial government was preparing programmes to establish a harmonious relationship between humans and elephants.