Human-Elephant terror and its Destruction to Human Settlements at Bahundangi VDC, Jhapa, Nepal
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Central Department of Zoology Institute of Science and Technology Tribhuvan University Kritipur, Kathmandu 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