Budget allocated for controlling wild elephant menace

BANIYANI, JHAPA: The government has allocated Rs 20 million in the first phase for controlling the wild elephant menace here in the district.

The amount was released through the National Planning Commission, according to Bodhraj Subedi, Forest Official at the District Forest Office, Jhapa.

Although the demand was made for Rs 130 million with the NPC, permission was granted for releasing Rs 80.89 million, Subedi added.

The memorandum was sent to the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation through Nepali Congress lawmaker Krishna Prasad Sitaula to tame the wild tuskers wreaking havoc in Jalthal, Bhadrapur, Kechana, Haldibari and Mechinagar among other locations.

As per the slew of control measures, a biodiversity road will be constructed from Jalthal area to Bahundandi and 80-km electric wire fencing would be set up from Charali to Gherabari jungle. The authorities have also planned on installing electric wire along the 50-km stretch around the Jalthal jungle, 20-km stretch around Charali jungle and 10-km at Gherabari.

At a press conference held on Friday, lawmaker Sitaula called for using the budget allocated for taming the elephant menace in Jhapa. He added that the budget would be useful in constructing the biodiversity road and promoting ecotourism and agrotourism.

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