Human-Elephant terror and its Destruction to Human Settlements at Bahundangi VDC, Jhapa, Nepal

Abstract

Although Nepal has the second least number of wild Asian Elephants in the world, some of the country’s areas are usually terrorized by resident and visiting elephant herds from time to time. And, Bahundangi VDC in Jhapa, east Nepal is one of such place where numerous conflicts between wild Asian Elephants and human settlements are occurring frequently. The current study has been done in order to identify such conflicts like loss of properties and loss of lives of the human being there, so that possible management measure could be developed in order to mitigate problem for the betterment. Out of 249470 Kg of damaged crops 57.84%, 40.22% and 1.93% of paddy, maize and millet have been damaged by wild elephants. Similarly 3340 plants of bamboo, 170 plants of coconut, 408 plants of bettlenut and 370 kg of ginger were damaged. Twenty six people were attacked by wild elephants from 1992 to 2015. Among 26 people 12 people were killed in Bahundangi VDC of Jhapa district. Elephants with calves were more dangerous than other groups and highest intensity occurs in June, July, November and December. The total economic loss was Rs.5514076.25. Shouting and chasing with fire and foggy lights which is most common local preventive measure. Bee-hive keeping, chilly and cactus plantations were more effective in preventive measures. The government should provide effective compensation to the affected farmers to deter elephants and formalize transboundary co-operation with India to mitigate the terro