Encroachment in reserved forest leads to wild elephants enter populated area in Naharchola

A Correspondent

Numaligarh: Wild elephants have been creating havoc in most parts of Numaligarh-Morangi area since the last couple of months. Due to shortage of food and habitat, herds of wild elephants frequently enter human-populated areas.

On Wednesday, a huge herd of wild elephants entered Naharchola area under Murphulani forest beat office. A resident of the area, Bheem Chetry (35) was severely injured by the elephants. While he was trying to assess the situation from the front-yard of his house, he was attacked by elephants on Wednesday morning. He was immediately taken to Golaghat Kushal Konwar Civil Hospital where he is fighting for life.

Elephants had killed a man and many were seriously injured in recent times at various places like Sundarpur, Bukhial, Rongbong, Naharchola and Thuramukh. The villagers alleged that the State Government had not arranged for medical treatment or compensation. They slammed the DFO and other senior forest department officials for not taking any measures to prevent attacks by elephants despite several pleas. Many houses were also destroyed by the elephants at different villages of Numaligarh-Morangi area in recent times.

Residents of Naharchola area are still horrified as the herd comprising almost 40 wild elephants is taking shelter at a nearby tea garden. Massive encroachment in the Upper Doigrung and Lower Doigrung forest areas (under Nambor-Doigrung Reserved forest) are causing much damage to the wildlife. As a result, human-elephant conflict is on the rise in most parts of the Numaligarh area.

Also read: Encroachment in Assam-Arunachal Border Area: AASU Leads Blockade