As the human-elephant conflict in Golaghat intensifies, the MLA intervenes with relief efforts

INN/Guwahati, @Infodeaofficial

Human-elephant violence is alarmingly on the rise in several parts of Assam’s Golaghat district, notably tea estates in Letekujan and Numaligarh. Residents are in a panic as herds of wild elephants are entering tea estates and villages in quest of food. Elephants frequently retaliate against villagers who try to drive them away, resulting in heated exchanges.

These elephants now frequently seek sanctuary in the tea gardens around Morangi Circle. Herds are seen at various tea farms almost every day, refusing to leave. These herds frequently infiltrate neighbouring settlements, damaging homes and other property while instilling a persistent sense of fear in the locals.

In the meantime, Mrinal Saikia, the MLA for Khumtai, has taken a novel step to address this growing dispute by planning the gathering of banana trees for the elephants. Additionally, villagers were observed collecting banana plants, which are being transported to locations where elephants frequently visit. According to reports, this initiative, spearheaded by Saikia and his group, has greatly decreased the number of elephant attacks.

However, Saikia stressed that these instances cannot be called human-elephant conflicts alone. He emphasised that the problem is made worse by some careless people who agitate and harass the elephants. He pleaded with the Forest Department to deal harshly with such conduct.

Prior to his visit to Numaligarh’s historic Deopahar, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had stated that he intended to speak with the Central Government about the problem of conflict between humans and elephants. In order to give the animals enough food, he also emphasised the importance of planting plants that are friendly to elephants.