BANIYANI (JHAPA), April 17: A 76-km offset solar fence has been placed at various places in Jhapa to mitigate human-elephant conflict. 

An 18-km electric fence was constructed at Bahundangi at the cost of Rs 12 million in Jhapa some eight years ago. 

Chief of Division Forest Office, Jhapa, Meghraj Rai said that 35-km of solar fencing was placed at Jalthal forest in 2076 BS. The solar fence constructed under the forest area adjacent to Haldibari, Kachankawal, Barhadashi and Bhadrapur is estimated to cost Rs 56.527 million. 

According to the office, 6.39-km of solar fencing was constructed at the investment of Rs 10.14 million at Bhadrapur in the second phase of Jalthal forest area in 2078 BS. 

A 16.98 km solar fence has been installed under the Charali-Magurmadi section of Mechinagar Municipality. The section was fenced at a cost of Rs 25.39 million last year. The investment was made from the state coffers. 

The National Trust for Conservation of Nature provided technical advice. Some of the bars installed earlier have to be repaired as they are dilapidated.

Elephants enter human settlements twice every year from the country's eastern border. 

A total of 67 people have lost their lives in elephant attacks since 2068 BS while 20 elephants have died since 2062 BS. Relief amount of Rs 71.97 million has been distributed to the victims since 2068 BS till last year. 

This year only seven people have died in elephant attacks in Jhapa.