The Gentle Giants of Nepal: Elephants in Bardiya and Jhapa

Nepal, with its lush jungles and river plains, is home to one of the most iconic and majestic animals in Asia—the elephant. These gentle giants play an important role in culture, ecology, and conservation, especially in the southern lowlands. Among Nepal’s regions, Bardiya National Park and Jhapa district stand out as key areas where wild elephants continue to roam, shaping both landscapes and livelihoods.

Elephants in Bardiya: Wild and Free

Bardiya National Park, located in western Nepal, is often called the country’s “wilderness crown.” Spread over nearly 1,000 square kilometers, it is the largest national park in the Terai. While it is famous for the Bengal tiger and one-horned rhinoceros, the park is also a stronghold for wild elephants.

According to park authorities, elephants migrate seasonally between Nepal and India, using corridors that connect Bardiya with the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary across the border. These movements are vital for their survival but often bring them close to human settlements.

“Seeing a wild elephant cross the Karnali river during sunset is a memory that stays with you forever,” says Ramesh Thapa, a local nature guide. “They are not just animals; they are part of our heritage.”

Bardiya also shelters domesticated elephants, used by the park rangers for patrolling dense forests. However, conservation efforts are increasingly focused on giving elephants more space and protecting their migratory routes.

Elephants in Jhapa: A Different Story

On the opposite end of Nepal, in the far-east lowlands, Jhapa district has become a hotspot of human-elephant conflict. Unlike Bardiya, Jhapa does not have a protected area dedicated to elephants, but it lies along one of the major migration routes between Assam (India) and Nepal.

Over the years, as forests have been cleared for tea estates, towns, and agriculture, elephants have found themselves squeezed into smaller patches of habitat. This has led to tragic encounters: elephants raiding crops, damaging homes, and, in some cases, causing human fatalities.

“We respect elephants as sacred animals, but when they destroy our crops overnight, it is devastating,” shares Maya Tamang, a farmer from Birtamod.

The government and conservation organizations have been working to reduce these conflicts—by building watchtowers, setting up early-warning systems, and compensating farmers for damages. But challenges remain, as both people and elephants compete for the same land.

Cultural and Spiritual Importance

In Nepal, elephants are more than wildlife; they are woven into cultural traditions. The elephant-headed god Ganesha is revered across Hindu and Buddhist households as the remover of obstacles. In many communities, elephants symbolize wisdom, peace, and strength.

In Bardiya, local Tharu people still tell stories of elephants as protectors of the forest. In Jhapa, despite frequent conflicts, many farmers perform small rituals before harvest season, asking elephants not to destroy their fields.

Conservation: A Shared Responsibility

The story of elephants in Bardiya and Jhapa highlights a larger truth: conservation is not only about protecting animals but also about balancing the needs of people. Efforts are being made to secure elephant corridors, strengthen community-based conservation programs, and raise awareness about coexistence.

Internationally, Nepal has been recognized for its efforts to protect endangered species, but elephants require more attention because of their complex migration habits.

“If we cannot protect the paths elephants walk, we will lose a living heritage that has survived for centuries,” notes Dr. Bishnu Shrestha, a conservation biologist working in the Terai.

Looking Ahead

The future of elephants in Nepal depends on cooperation—between local communities, government authorities, and international conservation partners. In Bardiya, the challenge is to protect wilderness corridors. In Jhapa, the task is to find sustainable solutions that reduce human-elephant conflict without harming either side.

As Nepal modernizes, it must also remember that elephants are part of its soul. Safeguarding these giants means safeguarding stories, traditions, and ecosystems for generations to come.

Final Thought

The elephants of Bardiya and Jhapa remind us that conservation is not only about animals—it’s about relationships. Relationships between forests and fields, between humans and wildlife, and between the past and the future.

Or as a Tharu elder from Bardiya once said:

“When the elephant walks through the forest, the forest bows. That is respect. If we lose that respect, we lose ourselves.”