Villagers living in Sikaribash, Parsa, have been demanding the concerned authorities to shift their settlement outside the Chitwan National Park.

Although Sikaribash is part of Parsa district, this settlement of 50 families falls under the CNP’s control. Its residents say they have long been troubled by wild animals and relocating the settlement is their only hope. 

Narayan Aryal, whose hut was destroyed by an elephant in October,said he has not built a new hut because there was a constant threat of animals entering the settlement and wreaking destruction.     

“I hope the government will relocate our settlement to an area where we will be safe from wild animals,” the 78-year-old said. 

Just like Rambhauribhata, a settlement inside the Parsa National Park (PNP), was relocated to stop human-wildlife conflict seven years ago, the villagers of  Sikaribash want the government to shift their settlement as well.

Bam Bhola Mahato said he was attacked by a bear while he was grazing cattle a few months ago. 

“We are living in constant threat. We cannot even have a good harvest because of animals destroying our crops,” he said. 

Besides danger posed by wild animals, the settlement also lacks basic facilities like drinking water, health facility and electricity.

Locals have to walk at least half an hour daily to fetch water while the nearest health post is six hours away.