Guwahati, 14th May: The Assam State Forest Department has implemented special measures to ensure peaceful coexistence between wild elephants and humans in West Kamrup Division.
A herd of elephants, including calves, has been grazing in the villages of Dakuapara, Pakharapara, Chandmari, Sakhati, Mouman Tangabari, and Jongakhuli, all connected to the reserve forest areas under the Singra Forest Range Office. The presence of the elephants has caused significant disruption to village life, with residents losing sleep and being unable to work or tend to their fields due to the fear of elephant encounters.
In response, a state forest team led by Ranger Bhargabh Hazarika launched a mobile awareness unit to address the situation. The team conducted a campaign using a microphone to educate villagers on how to reduce human-elephant conflicts.
“We visited shops, daily bazaars, Namghars, temples, schools, churches, and other communal areas in the villages to raise awareness about the consequences of human-elephant conflicts,” said Ranger Hazarika. “We urged villagers to maintain a safe distance from the wild elephants to reduce conflicts and ensure the safety of both humans and elephants.”
Hazarika also advised villagers to inform the forest department immediately if elephants show signs of aggression, so appropriate measures can be taken to prevent major incidents.
Despite these efforts, villagers remain anxious about the damage to their banana gardens, rubber gardens, paddy fields, and betel nut gardens, which many rely on for their livelihoods. The villagers suspect that the herd has been stuck in the area due to blocked corridors caused by ongoing extension work on NH 17. They urge the state government to find a solution to guide the elephants back to the forest and restore normalcy to their lives.