Digital Desk: The conflict between elephants and humans continues in the areas bordering the India-Bhutan border in Udalguri. Groups of wild elephants coming out from nearby forests in search of food have been wreaking havoc in the villages.
Upon entering the villages, the wild elephants have been destroying houses as well as causing extensive damage to agricultural fields. The people in the Bhutan border area of the district are now compelled to coexist with the wild elephants.
Due to the elephant's menace, sleepless nights have become common for the border villages. In the conflict between elephants and humans, every year around 15-20 innocent people lose their lives in the district, while wild elephants also fall prey to the human-elephant conflict.
The situation in Udalguri has become severe due to the lack of effective measures taken by any government to curb the human-elephant conflict.
Recently, the number of wild elephant deaths in the district has increased alarmingly, causing concern among nature lovers. In the past week, three wild elephants have died for unknown reasons in the district.
The carcass of a tusked elephant was recovered in the Bhutan border area of Udalguri on November 2. Local residents spotted the carcass and informed the forest department. Based on the information from the residents, officials including veterinarians have reached the scene to conduct a post-mortem examination of the dead elephant. The cause of death of the adult elephant has not yet been determined.
In the Bhutan border area of the district, widespread destruction and encroachment of forests have led to severe food shortages and lack of habitat, forcing elephants to come into human settlements.
Because of encroachment on the elephant corridors in the area, some people have built habitats, resulting in the escalation of human-elephant conflict. Affected residents have urged the forest department to take effective measures to prevent the human-elephant conflict in the district.
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