Wild elephants destroy paddy crops in Sitapur, Tikapur, locals living in fear

In Sitapur, Tikapur Municipality-2 of Kailali, residents have been living in fear after an increase in wild elephant movement in the area. The elephants have damaged paddy crops in the fields and have also begun entering the settlement at night, forcing locals to stay awake through the night on guard.

On Thursday night around 9:15 pm, after an elephant was spotted near a local resident's house, villagers drove it away by banging plates and blowing whistles amid loud commotion. Local resident Ramesh Shop said that with elephants entering the settlement at night, residents now face a dual worry of protecting their families' safety and saving their crops.

He said the ward office has installed lights in some locations, but that this is not enough and more lighting is needed. With elephant movement recurring, locals have drawn the government's attention to the need for action to protect people's safety, safeguard homes and livestock sheds, and save the paddy crop.