Four elephants died last fiscal year in Jhapa

18 July, Kathmandu : Four elephants were found dead in different parts of Jhapa district over the last fiscal year, according to the District Forest Office.

The Office says the number of deaths of elephants during the fiscal year 2080-81 BS (2023-24) is the highest in the past 14 years.

Till the period from the fiscal year 2067-68 BS (2010-11) to 2080-81 BS (2023-24), 21 elephants had died.

In between this period, generally, one to two elephants had died in a year when the figure was three in the fiscal year 2075-76 BS (201-19).

The finding of the carcasses of animals with their tusk removed is enough to say that elephant poaching is rising in the district.

Likewise, six people were killed in elephant attacks in Jhapa in one year, totaling 60 in the past 14 years.

The cases of fatalities from the attacks by elephants are not uncommon in the district. Similarly, elephants caused havoc in settlements, leaving the people injured, demolishing their houses, and damaging the foodstuffs.

Last fiscal year, families of the people killed in elephant attacks received Rs one million in compensation for a person killed and the authorities concerned paid Rs three million for other losses.

According to Office Chief Meghraj Rai, although there is the provision of Rs 200,000 compensation for an injury from the animal, the treatment costs a huge amount.

Jhapa is considered the district affected most by elephants. Of the total relief compensation for elephants’ attacks across the country, some 11 percent was distributed in the district.