Gorkha, June 8 -- Chhewang Lama has lost a lot of maize from her field over the past decade due to the frequent intrusion of wild animals.

"Every year we face the same issue," said Chhewang, a resident of Prok in Chumnubri Rural Municipality-4. "Bears are abundant here and they eat up all our crops."

This area in northern Gorkha, which experiences only one farming season in a year due to its altitude and climate, is grappling with the growing menace of wildlife of late.

"Many households have given up farming altogether because they are unable to protect their fields," Chhewang added. "Some fields are now left barren and turning into forest land."

The problem has worsened over the past decade, local residents say, with wild animals suc...