Tamulpur: The menace of wild elephants has been continuing for many years in Guwabari under the Nagrijuli area along the Indo–Bhutan border in Tamulpur district. Due to food scarcity, herds of wild elephants descend from the hills and enter human settlements, killing people, damaging houses, and destroying areca nut, coconut gardens, and banana plantations, causing continuous havoc. Human casualties have occurred in these conflicts, and at times wild elephants have also died. People in the border areas are forced to spend sleepless nights.
Last night, a large lone wild elephant that had strayed from a herd entered Goibari village near the Bhutan border around 12:00 midnight and created havoc throughout the night. As soon as the elephant entered the village, panic spread, and villagers fled to safer places.
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The elephant destroyed several houses belonging to two poor farmers, Narayan Subba and Abla Hajong, and ate up the stored paddy and rice. Not stopping there, it also damaged furniture and household utensils of both families.
Upon receiving the information, a team led by local environmentalist and president of the Goibari Saypatri Foundation, Madhav Chhetri, rushed to the village at night. By lighting torches, bursting firecrackers, and beating tin sheets, they managed to drive the elephant back towards the foothill areas by early morning.
A team from the Kumarikata Forest Department also arrived at the scene and took stock of the situation of the affected families. The two affected families have appealed to the government and the Forest Department for compensation for the damages caused by the wild elephant.
