Karbi Anglong: Two herds of wild elephants have been taking shelter for several days in sugarcane fields, ripe paddy crops and vegetable farms in Belbari and Mailoo Raisen under the Southern Forest Range of West Karbi Anglong, triggering fear, crop destruction and severe disruption to daily life.
The elephants, active throughout day and night, have destroyed vast stretches of paddy, sugarcane and vegetables just ahead of harvest season. Many farmers say their year-long efforts have been wiped out overnight. “We guard our fields the whole night with torches and firecrackers, but the elephants still come. We are helpless,” said a distressed farmer from Belbari No. 02.
The situation has caused panic among school children, many of whom are refusing to attend classes due to fear of encountering elephants on village roads. “No one knows when or from where they will appear,” a local resident said.
Villagers have expressed frustration over the alleged inaction of the Southern Range Forest Office. Despite repeated complaints, locals claim forest personnel only make brief visits without meaningful intervention. The same herds had earlier caused similar problems in Kheroni for over a month before moving to the present area, raising concerns about ineffective long-term conflict management.
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Residents have demanded immediate deployment of trained elephant-driving teams, prompt compensation for crop loss, and permanent mitigation measures like solar fencing. They urged the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to intervene urgently before the situation escalates further. Until then, hundreds of families continue spending sleepless nights guarding their fields and homes from the marauding herds.
