Solar fencing to stop elephants

A 37-kilometer long Solar-induced electric fencing has been completed to stop wild elephants from entering human settlements from the nearby Charkose jungle in south Jhapa. This is expected to benefit the locals in Kachankewal, Haldibari, Bahradashi and Bhadrapur.

A group of 11 elephants in the jungle had been creating havoc in the area since a few years. This is expected to end with the solar fencing.

The fencing was carried out at the initiative of Member of Parliament Rajendra Lingden and with support from the Nature Conservation Trust and the government. The project was completed at the total cost of Rs. 47.4 million.

MP Lingden and officials from the NCT and the forest office inspected the solar fencing on Saturday. On the occasion, locals demanded that similar fencing be carried out in the Bhuteni and Andhuwa river, which is also used as a route by the elephants to enter the villages in Bhadrapur area.

Meanwhile, the Bhisal community forest is planning to construct a similar electric fencing from Kamaldhap to Bhelagadhi via Mayalu forest in the present fiscal year. The project will cover 15 kilometers and is expected to cost Rs. 20 million, according to forest officer Bishnu Lal Ghimire.