Assam: In a tragic incident on December 23, a 31-year-old farmer, Ruplal Malo, lost his life after being attacked by a buffalo that had wandered out of Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary.
The attack occurred in the 1 No. Dhamkhunda (Kordia) area under the Pragjyotishpur police station while Malo was tending to his paddy field.
According to Forest Range Officer Pranjal Baruah, the buffalo charged at Malo, leaving him critically injured.
Despite locals rushing him to Sonapur Hospital, doctors declared him dead on arrival. The buffalo, which returned to the sanctuary after the attack, has reportedly been involved in several recent incidents of human-animal conflict.
A forest team, led by the Range Officer, visited the hospital to gather details about the incident. Concurrently, another team launched awareness campaigns in the affected area, urging locals to remain cautious about wildlife near the sanctuary’s boundaries.
Coordination between forest officials, police, and public administration is ongoing to provide financial assistance to Malo’s family and implement measures to prevent similar incidents.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary has seen a rise in human-animal conflicts in recent months. On December 16, a 55-year-old man was injured in a rhinoceros attack in Morigaon district. Earlier, on September 30, a biker lost his life in a rhino attack near the sanctuary.
These incidents highlight the urgent need for effective strategies to address the growing overlap between human settlements and wildlife habitats, ensuring safety for both humans and animals.
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