Jhapa, November 16
The Jhapa Division Forest Office has urged the public in the northern area of the East–West Highway to remain alert after a herd of elephants entered the district.
The office stated that it has been conducting patrols and using loudspeakers to inform and caution local residents.
Division Forest Office Chief Bharat Babu Shrestha said that a herd of 25 to 30 elephants, including calves, entered Jhapa from Morang, prompting the office to inform locals and raise awareness through loudspeaker announcements.
“About one and a half years ago, a herd of 50–60 elephants entered Nepal through Prasad Gauda of Bhaluwa Dangi. Around a year ago, about 30 elephants returned to India, while the rest stayed in the forests of Morang and Sunsari,” he said.
“Those same elephants are now on their way back to India and have reached Jhapa, so we are urging the public to take precautions,” Shrestha added. According to him, the office has been conducting patrols and public announcements to ensure local safety.
He stated that the elephant herd is currently in the Ratuwamai Plantation Forest area of Shivasatakshi Dham. “To prevent any loss of life or property, we are carrying out night patrols and making announcements in the affected municipalities,” he said.
He added that the forest office is tracking the movement of the elephants and patrolling accordingly.
According to Shrestha, the elephants stay in community forests during the day and move only at night. He estimated that the herd is likely to return to India through Prasad Gauda of Bhaluwa Dangi today or tomorrow.
