Rising wild tusker menace threatens communities in Koshi Province

KATHMANDU: Chandra Kumari Limbu, a 61-year-old woman from Ward 5 of Sundarhariacha Rural Municipality in Morang District, lost her life in an recent elephant attack.

The incident occurred as she was returning home from gathering firewood in a nearby forest, according to Krishna Khattri, Chief of the Area Police Office in Belbari.

Just two weeks earlier, Ganga Shrestha, 40, also fell victim to a similar attack by wild elephants while collecting firewood in Srijana Community Forest, Ward 7.

Wild elephants frequently venture into human settlements in Sundarhariacha, causing destruction and terror.

The area is home to a herd of over a dozen elephants, particularly in Namuna Community Forest.

The animals often destroy crops, damage homes, and threaten the lives of locals, says Ganesh Chaudhary, the Chairperson of Ward 5.

Residents have been forced to stay vigilant, especially at night, due to the looming danger.

Bishnulal Ghimire, Chief of the Division Forest Office in Morang, confirmed that elephant-related incidents are being reported in the surrounding districts of Jhapa, Morang, and Sunsari in the Koshi Province.

In response to the increasing frequency of wild elephant attacks, the District Police Office in Morang has issued a warning for heightened caution in the affected areas.