Tiger terror grips Kachanapur, Banke

By Siraj Khan,Nepalgunj, Sept. 20: Residents of Kachanapur in Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality, Banke, near Banke National Park, are living in fear after a recent tiger attack.

Four days ago, 45-year-old Laxmi Tharu of Sinabas, Ward No. 3, was killed by a tiger in the Janmukhi Community Forest at Mathebash Maduwi. She had been returning home after visiting relatives when her body was later found in the forest.

Since the incident, fear of tigers has spread across Kachanapur, Mathebash, Maduwi and nearby villages. “The village looks deserted. Even during the day, people stay indoors with doors locked. Daily life has completely changed; no one dares to collect firewood or fodder in the forest anymore,” local Bhupendra Wali said.

Evening gatherings, children playing in the streets and neighbours chatting outside have all disappeared. Now, houses are locked before dark. Some families reportedly take turns staying awake at night, while groups of villagers patrol with torches and sticks, making noise to keep tigers away.

Local representatives have requested that the Banke National Park control the tiger. Ward Chairperson Min Kumar Chaudhary confirmed the request, adding that this is not the first such incident, as tigers, leopards and wild boars have repeatedly attacked the locals in the past.

Park officials said tigers and other wild animals often wander into nearby settlements in search of food and water.