underground electricity wires Nepal elephant Chitwan
A study committee has suggested that electricity lines should be placed underground in sensitive areas, after an elephant died on coming into contact with a live power line in the Chitwan area, Gorkhapatra reported on 16 October 2026.
Overhead lines running through wildlife habitat and forest corridors are a known risk for large animals such as elephants, which can touch conductors while moving or feeding. Underground cabling removes that contact risk, although it costs more to install and maintain than overhead lines.
The suggestion adds to a wider discussion in Nepal about where underground distribution should be prioritised, including dense urban areas and protected wildlife zones. Any shift to underground lines in such areas would be planned and executed as electricity infrastructure work by the responsible agencies.
Further decisions are expected once the responsible authorities review the committee findings.
The underground electricity wires Nepal elephant Chitwan recommendation would see power lines placed underground in sensitive areas to protect wildlife like the elephant that died in the Chitwan area.