Tezpur: In a dramatic escalation of tensions between humans and wildlife, frustrated villagers from the Bihguri region in Assam took to the streets on Thursday night, blocking the crucial National Highway 15. The two-hour blockade, which began around 10 pm, was a desperate plea for action against increasing elephant incursions that have ravaged their crops and livelihoods.
The affected areas, including Bihguri, Jarnai, and Tinkharia, have been under siege by wild elephants for over a month. Despite repeated pleas to the Forest Department, locals claim that little has been done to mitigate the growing human-wildlife conflict.
The blockade caused significant traffic disruptions, leaving motorists stranded for hours. However, after intervention from district administration and forest officials, the road was cleared by 11:30 pm. Nevertheless, the villagers expressed deep dissatisfaction with the authorities’ response and vowed to continue their protests until a lasting solution is found.
Forest Department officials remained tight-lipped about specific measures to address the elephant menace. The human-elephant conflict has been a persistent problem in various parts of Assam, with incidents of crop damage and property destruction becoming increasingly common.
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