Control monkey, wild elephant menace, lawmakers tell govt

KATHMANDU: Lawmakers have called on the government to control the wild elephant menace in eastern Nepal and the monkey problem in the hilly region of the country.

Speaking in the National Assembly session on Sunday, lawmaker Rukmini Koirala said herds of wild elephants were causing terror in Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari and Udayapur districts. She urged the government to take immediate measures and provide relief to the people.

“Likewise, a large numbers of cattle crossing into Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve from the Indian border has created shortage of food for local wildlife such as the endangered wild water buffalo and resulted in damage to the crops in nearby farmland. The government should resolve this issue with urgency,” she added.

Another lawmaker, Bishnu Devi Pudasaini said many farmers in hilly districts have abandoned cultivable land due to the monkey menace. “I urge the government to take immediate measures to deal with the problem. The government should advise farmers to promote high-value crops such as ginger, garlic and nettle which monkeys do not like,” she added.

Similarly, lawmaker Krishna Prasad Adhikari said the investigation commission on loans sharks is on the verge of collapse because of political motives. “I urge the government to allow the commission perform its designated responsibilities, he added.