Kanchanpur Residents Prioritize Wildlife Conflict Mitigation in Election Demands

Residents living in the buffer zone of Shuklaphanta National Park are searching for candidates who will make the reduction of wildlife terror their main issue. Wild boars, nilgai, spotted deer, and elephants that enter settlements and agricultural lands from the park cause extensive damage to crops annually. Locals complain that incidents of tigers and leopards dragging away cows, buffaloes, and goats from sheds are recurring.

Gangaram Dagoura, 65, from Pipiladi, which falls under the buffer zone, stated that strong watchtowers, electric mesh wire, solar lights, and torches are essential for protecting crops. "As we live near the park, wild animals leave nothing behind. We can monitor and chase them away from watchtowers, but there are no structures, and there is a high risk of attack when walking to the fields," he said. "Despite raising demands for years, there has been no hearing; we need a candidate who will listen and act on these issues."

According to Kide Dhanuk, 60, from Khajuwa, the installed mesh wire was destroyed by elephants and rain in less than a year. "Somewhere it was knocked down by elephants, somewhere it was washed away by floods, and it hasn't been repaired," he said. He stated that strong electric fencing, embankment construction on the Syali River, paved roads, and irrigation systems are the main demands. More than 60 families reside in the Khajuwa area alone.

Mahesh Mahara from Jonapur expressed that he would only vote for candidates committed to installing effective mesh wire in sensitive areas where wildlife enters, improving road infrastructure, and controlling the river. "Just a month ago, a neighbor's two improved cows, bought with a loan, were dragged away and killed by a tiger right from the shed; we haven't received compensation," he said. He added that elephants destroy ripening paddy, wheat, and sugarcane.

The buffer zone under the park covers 243.5 square kilometers. Forty-eight wards from five municipalities and two rural municipalities fall within this area. Thirty-eight consumer committees have been formed in the buffer zone. Through these consumer committees, relief and compensation programs for wildlife-affected residents in the buffer zone, as well as work such as installing mesh wire, improved stoves, and lights, are being carried out.

The park administration states that programs for biodiversity conservation, community development, income generation, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation are being operated through the management committee.

However, local residents feel these efforts are insufficient and expect candidates to put forward long-term and sustainable plans. "Clear commitment is needed to control wildlife terror, simplify and make the compensation system effective, and develop basic infrastructure," is the collective demand of the locals.