KANCHANPUR, Residents of Baduwal village in Dodhara Chandani Municipality-3, Kanchanpur, are living in constant fear as herds of wild elephants invade their settlement every night, destroying crops and damaging property. The elephants are believed to be crossing from India’s Dudhwa National Park.

Farmers Lose Crops and Livelihoods

Local farmer Ram Sunar said his paddy field of four and a half bighas was completely destroyed by elephants. “Now I have no choice but to buy rice for my family,” he said, adding that villagers are forced to stay awake all night to protect their homes and fields.

30–40 Elephants Enter Village Nightly

According to resident Savitri Mahata, a herd of 30 to 40 elephants, including calves, enters the village each night. “They have even destroyed houses. To chase them away, we light fires and keep watch all night. We are living in fear,” she said.

Farmland Left Barren

Repeated destruction has forced many villagers to abandon farming altogether, leaving much of the agricultural land barren. “We farm with money earned through hard labor, but never harvest our crops. Our land has become useless,” said Karan Bahadur Kami, another resident.

Border Proximity Hampers Protection

Locals claim efforts to build protective fencing have been blocked by Indian authorities due to the area’s proximity to the border. They are urging the local government to find a permanent solution, noting that wild elephants have killed several people in the region in past years.

Wider Problem in Kanchanpur

The elephant menace is not limited to Baduwal; other parts of Dodhara Chandani and nearby municipalities have also been affected, with residents demanding urgent measures to ensure their safety.