DHANGADHI: The conflict between humans and wildlife has increased in Kanchanpur district of western Nepal.

The conflict has arisen as wild animals, especially elephants, started entering human settlements in the region as a result of humans expanding their settlements into the areas where forests once were.

The animals from Shuklaphanta National Park and India's Dudhuwa National Park have been noticed wandering in nearby areas where human settlements have gradually become thick, thereby increasing the ongoing human-animal conflict.

As a result of humans moving closer to the forest region, elephants have been entering their settlements and creating a threat to human lives. Two women lost their lives, on Wednesday, in an elephant attack and four others were injured. Hulidevi Bohara (50) and Basanti Bhatta (38), both of Dodhara Chandani, were killed on the spot.

Only a few months ago, a person had died in a similar attack in Shuklaphanta Municipality of the district. In the past five years, a total of seven persons have lost their lives in Kanchanpur from elephant attack.

The wandering animals are found to have entered Punarwas, Belauri, Beldandi, Laljhadi, Krishnapur, Mahakali, Bhimdutta and Shuklaphanta areas in the district.

Such incidents of attacks raise a larger question as to how this conflict can be reduced in order to maintain an interdependent harmony between humans and wild animals.