A new Elephant Arrival Information Technology Center has been inaugurated at Bahundangi in Mechinagar municipality-4. This center is designed to collect and monitor information about elephants crossing the border from India into Nepal using GPS technology.
A GPS device, installed at the Small Customs Office in Bahundangi, will facilitate the collection of this data. The GPS technology is integrated with a mobile application named ‘Luna GPS’, which marks its first introduction in Nepal, particularly in Jhapa. This initiative is supported by ‘Ujyalo Nepal’ Bardiya and ‘Youth Collaboration for Society’ Dhangadhi, according to Arjun Kumar Karki, Ward President of Mechinagar-4.
Luna GPS, developed in Nepal, enables residents to report elephant sightings via the app. When an elephant enters a village, residents can input the information into the app, triggering an automatic siren in the control room. This alert system ensures that the local Rapid Rescue Team (RRT) can promptly reach the village to protect the residents.
The center was officially inaugurated by Devraj Ghimire, Speaker of the House of Representatives, during a program held on Friday. Ramesh Thapa, an expert from Ujyalo Nepal, emphasized the efficacy of Luna GPS in providing timely information to rescue teams, preventing elephants from entering villages and causing harm. The app also has broader applications for disaster monitoring.
Bahundangi is a key entry point for wild elephant herds entering Nepal from India. The establishment of this technology center aims to enhance the safety of local communities and manage human-wildlife conflicts more effectively.
