Assam: Wild elephant cause havoc in Baksa, farmers left in distress

In a terrifying incident, more than 35 wild elephants emerged from Manash National Park last night, wreaking havoc in Baksa, Udalguri. The massive herd encroached upon numerous bighas of crop land, causing substantial damage to the agricultural holdings of local farmers

The wild elephants engaged in a destructive , trampling through vast stretches of crop land, including fields of tomatoes, potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, and chili. The farmers, already grappling with the challenges of cultivation, now face significant losses due to the relentless onslaught by the wild herd.

A local from the village expressed, “Yesterday, elephants came to the village in Baksa Udalguri. They caused a lot of damage to the farms, destroying crops like tomatoes, potatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, and chili. Many houses, including my uncle's, were also damaged. It's really sad because all the vegetables were newly planted, and now everything is ruined. I don't think the forest department was aware of it last night, and the fog made it difficult to see clearly. About 30 to 32 elephants came, and they usually come at night and leave by morning".

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent human-wildlife conflict in the region. Urgent measures are needed to address the concerns of the farmers and find sustainable solutions to mitigate such encounters in the future. Authorities are called upon to take proactive steps to safeguard both the farmers and the wild elephants while preserving the delicate balance between human habitation and wildlife.