Guwahati, 19th May: Residents of Dipora, Barua Field, and Daspara village in Gohpur are facing relentless nightly incursions by a herd of wild elephants, causing significant destruction and hardship. The herd, consisting of 20-25 elephants from Kaziranga’s sixth addition, has been invading homes, consuming stored rice and vegetables, and ruining crops, leaving impoverished villagers in distress.
Despite the escalating crisis, the forest department has yet to take any action, frustrating the affected communities. Villagers report sleepless nights as they try to protect their properties from the relentless elephant menace. Previous nights have seen several homes destroyed and farmlands damaged by the rampaging herd.
A local villager shared their ordeal, stating, “Around 1 am yesterday, our houses and paddy fields were completely destroyed. The elephants even ate our vegetables. The forest department has not shown up to address the issue, despite our reports. They seem indifferent to our plight. We’ve filled out forms to receive compensation for the damage to our homes, but we haven’t received any funds yet. How are we supposed to eat now? Everything we had is destroyed. They wrecked my house and my family’s too. I had cattle and goats, and I barely managed to save them with the elephants so close. Now, I have nothing left.”
The villagers’ appeals for assistance and compensation have gone unanswered, leaving them to fend for themselves against the destructive incursions.
“We are living in constant fear and uncertainty,” another resident remarked. “Every night, we brace ourselves for more destruction. The authorities need to act immediately to provide us with relief and ensure our safety.”
The villagers’ situation underscores the urgent need for effective measures to manage human-wildlife conflict in the region and provide timely support to affected communities.
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