Jhapa, Dec 17: Residents of Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari districts in the Koshi province of Nepal are living in fear as a herd of 36 wild elephants, which entered Nepal from India through the Bahundangi border crossing a month and a half ago, continues to roam in the area.

The presence of these elephants has raised concerns about the safety of both human lives and the elephants themselves. In the past month, four individuals—two in Jhapa, one in Morang, and one in Sunsari—have lost their lives due to elephant attacks.

Elephant conservation campaigner Shankar Luintel from Mechinagar Napa-4 stated that the elephants entered Nepal from the Bahundangi border area on October 3. Typically, such herds would return to India within 10 to 15 days, but this particular group has yet to return.

Vishnulal Ghimire, Head of Division Forest Office in Morang, reported that the elephants are currently sheltered in the Kanepokhari forest of Morang. The presence of abundant food, particularly corn in the settlements and fields around Kanepokhari forest, is believed to be a reason for the elephants’ prolonged stay. The elephants seem to have a preference for corn, and the unseasonal cultivation of corn in the area has contributed to their extended stay.

Local farmers in Belbari Municipality-8 and 10 have cultivated maize in large areas, which is attractive to the elephants. Ghimire urged residents in the three districts to exercise caution when walking in the morning and evening and entering the forest.

Efforts by the forest office, police, and local residents to drive away the elephants have been unsuccessful so far. Luitel, the campaigner, claimed that out of the 32 elephants that entered Nepal last year through Bahundangi, only 12 returned to India. Currently, approximately 60 to 65 elephants are scattered in the forests of Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari. The situation continues to be closely monitored by authorities.