Ujyalo Nepal made significant progress in improving safety, building community capacity, and promoting human-elephant coexistence in conflict-prone areas of Nepal. To enhance local safety, 11 Early Warning Systems (EWS) were installed across six villages in Madhuwan Municipality, Bardia, and one in Pandavnagar, Chitwan, as well as in the Khata Corridor. These systems provided timely alerts to help communities prevent and reduce human-elephant conflicts. Additionally, two grain storage facilities were constructed in Pattharbozhi and Bhagraiya of Bardia District to protect farmers’ harvests from elephant raids. These storages now support over 100 households and were built through close collaboration with local stakeholders, including government officials and national park representatives.

To build community resilience, Ujyalo Nepal conducted 21 awareness and capacity-building programs that reached 1,141 individuals across Bardia and Chitwan. These efforts focused on educating local communities about elephant behavior, conservation, and conflict mitigation strategies. Furthermore, 19 Elephant Protection Groups (EPGs) were established or reactivated 18 in Bardia and one in Chitwan, comprising 313 dedicated members. A Revolving Fund of NPR 11 lakh was also created to support the financial needs of EPG members, offering low-interest loans to promote sustainable livelihoods. Recognizing the risks faced by these frontline groups, accident insurance coverage was provided or renewed for over 1,000 individuals in high-risk

areas, including 300 EPG members. Additionally, six information boards were installed across the Khata Corridor to educate the public on safe practices in elephant-inhabited areas.

Education and awareness efforts were extended to younger generations through school-based programs. In collaboration with 17 local schools, 14 awareness workshops were held, engaging over 1,000 students with interactive sessions on elephant conservation, conflict mitigation, and risk management. These activities helped foster a culture of coexistence and preparedness among youth and educators alike. Livelihood support was also addressed through a 40-day training program on cotton processing and marketing, held in Pattharbozhi. Twenty women from conflict-affected communities acquired technical skills in spinning, weaving, and textile design, equipping them for sustainable income generation and enhanced self-reliance.

On the networking front, Ujyalo Nepal maintained strong engagement with municipal leaders, school authorities, and conservation stakeholders. Regular meetings with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, the Khata Coordination Committee, and Elephant Protection Groups ensured alignment with community needs and local governance.

Project Based Staff

Baburam Yadav

(Program Coordinator)

Aashish Mahat

(Administrative and Finance Officer)

 Namraj Pokhrel

(Field Mobilizer-Bardia)

Radha Poudel

(Assistant Field Mobilizer-Chitwan)