KTWR solar fencing breakdown triggers safety concerns for settlements

By Baburam Karki,Barahachhetra, Dec. 5: The solar-powered electric fencing installed to prevent wild animals from leaving the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) and entering nearby settlements has stopped functioning. 

The fence, built to keep wildlife from straying into human settlements, has failed after wires snapped and poles collapsed.

According to the reserve office, the poles and wires have been damaged along the stretch from Bhantabari and Haripuri in the south to Prakashpur, Tarahara and Tapan in the northern boundary.

Chief Conservation Officer Bhupendra Prasad Yadav said lightning strikes, wildlife movement and human activities have caused damage to many sections of the electric fence, which was built to prevent wildlife-related human and property losses.

He added that repair work has not been carried out due to a lack of budget. With solar fencing out of order, animals have started to move out of the reserve more frequently.

Installed a decade ago, the solar fencing had been effective in stopping wildlife from entering settlements in the buffer zone.

According to Birendra Gautam, Koshi Province Chief of the National Nature Conservation Trust, the electric barrier covered about 22 kilometres from Tarahara-Tapan in the east to Bhantabari.

Many sections of this fencing have now stopped working. He said installing one kilometre of solar fencing costs over one million rupees, and it has proven effective in deterring animals.

The fence delivered electric shocks to animals like elephants, preventing them from breaking through and escaping. With the fencing now in disrepair, wild animals have been entering villages, while livestock from settlements have been wandering into the reserve forest for grazing.

Locals said a lack of community awareness has hindered the long-term upkeep of the fence. 

Wildlife expert Anish Timilsina said community-level committees should be formed to ensure its maintenance. “If the solar fence functioned round the clock, wildlife entering villages could be fully controlled,” he said.