JHAPA, July 30: A total of 97 people have lost their lives in elephant attacks over the past two decades in Koshi Province, according to the Province Forest Directorate in Dharan, Sunsari. During the same period, 41 elephants have also died.
According to Dr. Indra Prasad Sapkota, Chief of the Directorate, the human casualties occurred in Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Udayapur, and Ilam districts between Fiscal Year (FY) 2062/63 BS and the current FY. In addition to the fatalities, 87 people were seriously injured and 15 sustained minor injuries during elephant encounters.
Dr. Sapkota stated that Jhapa recorded the highest number of human deaths, largely due to elephants entering from neighboring India through this district. Of the total deaths, 72 occurred in Jhapa, 17 in Morang, seven in Sunsari, and one in Ilam.
10 people killed in elephant attacks in Koshi in last FY
Regarding elephant fatalities, 25 died in Jhapa, nine in Morang, six in Sunsari, and one in Udayapur during the same period.
“A significant amount of government funds are being spent on wildlife conservation, compensation for human casualties, and damage to crops,” said Dr. Sapkota. “Local communities must also remain vigilant in reducing human-wildlife conflict.” He emphasized that such conflict can be minimized if both the government and the public take the issue seriously.
The federal government provides Rs 1 million in compensation to families of individuals killed in elephant attacks, while injured victims receive between Rs 25,000 and Rs 100,000 for medical treatment.
To mitigate the human-elephant conflict, the provincial government has allocated Rs 5 million this FY to launch a crop insurance program in affected areas.
“The budget was coordinated through the Division Forest Office and local governments,” said Dr. Sapkota. “Depending on the effectiveness and feasibility of the program, we will request further support from the federal government for its sustainability and legal framework in the future.”