JHAPA, Jan 9: Jhapa and Morang districts have witnessed increasing conflict between humans and elephants, which have taken toll on both sides.
In the last two years, 12 people were killed while 13 maimed in elephant attacks. Six elephants were also killed during the same period, according to the Division Forest Office, Jhapa.
Herds of elephant stalk settlements nearby forest for food. And, people's efforts to chase away the pachyderm turn into ugly situation- losing lives in an elephant's attack.
Drought takes its toll in Humla
People are victimized even during morning walk, and grass and fodder collection in forest.
Researchers on elephants argue that expanding human settlements is gradually encroaching upon forests, thereby infuriating elephants. In the last six decades, the forests have receded much, according to Shankar Luitel.
Researcher Luitel viewed, "Elephants which have sharp memory and want to stroll freely find it difficult with receding habitants. It evidently angers him, resulting in damages to human settlements."
Ward chair of Mechinagar-4, Arjun Karki, however, said they had adopted a policy of human-elephant coexistence to minimize elephant menace. He said, "Elephants are not aggressive animals. But when it feels threatened by its habitat and food, it certainly retaliates."
According to him, a policy of human-wildlife coexistence was put in place at Bahundangi which has recorded many cases of human-elephant conflict.
