Shuklaphanta Municipality Installs Solar Streetlights in Wildlife-Prone Areas

Kanchanpur. Shuklaphanta Municipality has installed automatic (sensor-equipped) solar streetlights in settlements affected by wildlife. The installation of solar lights in areas with high risk of wildlife due to darkness at night has improved both security and convenience.

The municipality has operated this program with a budget of Rs 35 lakh under the special grant of the provincial government in the current fiscal year. According to Deepak Dhami, head of the municipality's infrastructure branch, solar lights have been installed in 30 identified locations with high risk of wildlife in all 12 wards.

Three solar lights have been installed in Ward No. 1, two in Ward No. 2, two in Ward No. 3, two in Ward No. 4, three in Ward No. 5, four in Ward No. 6, and three in Ward No. 7. Similarly, the installation of three solar lights in Ward No. 8, two in Ward No. 9, one in Ward No. 10, two in Ward No. 11, and three in Ward No. 12 has been completed.

A sensor system has been installed in the solar lights. Sensor-equipped solar lights provide the convenience of automatically turning on at dusk and off at dawn. It is considered a sustainable and economical solution as it provides light in an environmentally friendly manner without consuming electricity.

Dan Bahadur Air, coordinator of the municipality's energy committee, stated that the main objective of installing solar lights in wildlife-affected areas is to ensure the safety of local residents. "There is a high risk of wildlife such as elephants, tigers, and leopards coming near settlements due to darkness at night," he said, adding, "We believe that the light from the solar lamps will discourage wildlife from coming near settlements and help residents stay alert."

Local Manoj Chaudhary said that it has become easier to move around at night after the installation of solar lights. He mentioned that earlier, he was afraid to even go out of the house in the evening due to the darkness, but now the risk has been reduced to some extent due to the light. He also stated that it has become easier to check fields, protect livestock, and travel in emergencies after the installation of solar lights.

With the increase in light around the settlements due to the installation of solar lights, it is also expected that theft and other anti-social activities will decrease. The problem of wildlife entering settlements around Shuklaphanta National Park has been a persistent issue. In such a situation, technology-friendly measures like the installation of solar lights are believed to play an important role in reducing human-wildlife conflict.