Nepal rolls out insurance against wildlife attacks

Nepal is introducing a new Wildlife Risk Insurance Policy to address the growing crisis of human-wildlife conflict. This initiative, launched on July 17, offers a new approach to compensating victims of animal attacks, a problem that has plagued communities living near protected areas.

The need for such a policy is underscored by recent events, including the deaths of Ashika Bote and her son by a notorious elephant named Dhurbe, who has been linked to 25 human deaths since 2010. These incidents highlight the increasing frequency and severity of encounters between humans and wildlife as animal populations recover and human settlements expand.

Official reports indicate a significant number of wildlife attacks across Nepal. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation recorded over 9,900 cases in its 2024-25 annual report, resulting in 19 deaths and numerous injuries. Chitwan National Park alone has seen over 120 human deaths from wildlife attacks in the past decade.

Previously, Nepal's response primarily involved compensating victims after attacks occurred, a process that relied on official verification and government disbursement. The new insurance policy, developed in response to requests from provincial and local governments, aims to streamline this process and provide more immediate financial relief for deaths, injuries, damaged houses, livestock losses, and destroyed crops. This marks a shift from reactive compensation to a more proactive risk management strategy.