Forest Department forms squad to deal with human-elephant conflict in Udalguri district (State of Assam, India)
Forest Department forms squad to deal with human-elephant conflict in
Udalguri district (State of Assam, India)
The Sentinel Assam
December 7, 2022
See link
https://www.sentinelassam.com/north-east-india-news/assam-news/forest-department-forms-squad-to-deal-with-human-elephant-conflict-in-udalguri-district-626869
for photo.
TANGLA: The Dhansiri Forest Division Udalguri have taken up slew of
measures to combat the acute man-elephant conflict in the Indo-Bhutan
border areas in Udalguri district. According to reports, the department has
formed special task forces to deal with the threat and drive the elephant
herd away from human habitation areas and paddy fields.
The elephant herds are frequently seen in Bhutiachang, Bongshipur,
Joraphukuri, Gitibari, Teliapara,Santipur, Bholattar, Samrang, Bamunjuli,
Nonaipra Bagan,Garuajhar, 13 No. Bhutiachnag, Bogoritol, Segunbari,
Bormukuli, Hattigarh Sonapani, Bagekhuwa villages near Khalingduar Reserve
Forest and Daichunga, Khoira Grant, Sat phukuri, Uttar Naobandha,
Patharnadi, Dharamjuli Jungle, Rajagarh 1 to 4, Nalapara, Tankibasti,
Munsibasti, Suklai, Lamabasti villages near Bornadi Wildlife Sanctuary.
Talking to The Sentinel, Udalguri Dhansiri Forest Division, DFO Raju Kumar
Brahma said, "The elephants have frequented the villages in search of food
owing to the post-harvest season and we are having a tough time driving
away the herds."
He further said," We have formed a squad to deal with the menace, driving
elephants away is one of the tasks assigned to the team which also monitors
jumbo-infested areas, monitor the movement of elephants with the help of
village youths."
"We have also formed village-level monitoring committee by roping in youths
whom we have distributed high powered rechargeable torchlights to monitor
and co-ordinate with the forest department to check on the movement of
herds consisting of 100 to 150 elephant including jumbos." He further
added.
Underlining the stand of the present government he said the government has
been serious with the issue of ex-gratia compensation to the next kith and
kins of man-elephant conflict victims and those whose crops or properties
are damaged and a swift mechanism have been enforced where the ex-gratia
will be made available within a month or so.
Forest Beat Officer, Paneri, Mrinmoy Hazarika said, "We have already formed
a squad and was successful to drive away a herd consisting 80-100 elephants
from Paneri TE to Khalingduar Reserve Forest on Monday and earlier a herd
was driven from Murmela near Tangla town to Paneri TE."
Wildlife conservationist Nabajyoti Baruah hailing the move said, "The
government must focus on long-term measures such as removing encroachments,
eviction of illegal resorts in elephant corridors and habitats."
According to official statistics in Dhansiri division of Udalguri district
in the current academic year of 2022-23 there have been nine human deaths
against nine elephant casualities. The elephant deaths have been linked to
food poisoning, electrification.