KANCHANPUR, March 6: Locals of Shuklaphanta Municipality-5, Garjmuni, could not chase away a herd of elephants entering their paddy fields before night despite placing several measures. 

Over a dozen elephants coming from the Shuklaphanta National Park have been continuously damaging the about-to-harvest wheat crop of local farmers for the past three days.  

Jit Bahadur Saud, ward member of Shuklaphanta-5, said, "In the past, elephants used to run away when shown fire, beating tins and making noise." He said that an attempt was made to chase the elephants away by sounding sirens, and exploding firecrackers, but these measures did not work.

"After entering the fields to feed themselves and eating the wheat crop, they finally went to the national park," he said, complaining that every year the elephants have been damaging their ready-for-harvest paddy and wheat crops. 

The elephant herd has damaged the wheat crop cultivated in a minimum of two kattha to 10 kattha land. 

According to residents, a herd of 15 elephants, including three cubs, has been eating wheat crops as well as crushing them with their feet. Malti Pal said that they have to stay awake all night to drive away the elephants. "We work till late at night to drive away the elephants," Pal said, adding, "Elephants do not run away without eating. There is always a fear of the wild tuskers destroying our houses. That is why we have to stay awake." 

Locals have complained that although elephants have been causing damage every year, they have not yet received compensation.  

In the last three years, four people have lost their lives in elephant attacks in the municipality.

 
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