For 5 yrs, 2 women seek refuge at school due to elephant attacks on their homes
For 5 yrs, 2 women seek refuge at school due to elephant attacks on their
homes
Millennium Post
December 1, 2024
See link
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/for-5-yrs-2-women-seek-refuge-at-school-due-to-elephant-attacks-on-their-homes-588926?infinitescroll=1
for photo.
In Madhya Khayerbari, a village near the Dumchi forest area of Jaldapara
National Park, two elderly women — Chepti Shaibo and Fulmoni Oran — live
under constant fear of wild elephants. Both widows, they have been forced
to seek refuge in a local school every night for the past five years as
elephants repeatedly target their homes. Chepti, who has no children and
Fulmoni, whose son is a labourer, have endured relentless attacks.
In the past five years, Chepti’s house has been damaged 20 times, while
Fulmoni’s has been attacked 22 times. Despite living 200 metres apart,
their houses appear to be the specific targets of the elephants, leaving
the dirt floors of their courtyards marked with deep footprints.
“Every evening at 5 pm, we cook, eat and leave for the primary school to
stay safe,” said Chepti. “I’ve prayed to Mahakal Baba (elephant) countless
times, but the attacks don’t stop. I’ve pleaded for help from the
administration, but no one listens.”
The women watch helplessly from the school’s first-floor balcony as herds
of elephants wreak havoc on their homes. “I got my son married, but none of
us can stay in our own house after dusk,” said Fulmoni. “During elections,
leaders promise help, but nothing happens after that.” Experts believe the
houses may be situated on an elephant corridor. Renowned elephant expert
Parbati Barua remarked: “It’s likely the houses obstruct the elephants’
natural movement, which is why they are targeted. Alternatively, there may
have been past incidents of human-elephant conflict involving these
households.”
Locals and forest officials regularly attempt to drive the elephants away,
but the attacks persist. Some residents suggest building elevated,
tower-shaped houses to allow elephants to move freely beneath, potentially
resolving the issue. Local Panchayat member Kishore Munda said: “We’ve
raised the matter with higher authorities, but funding issues, including
the halt of Central Housing Scheme funds, have stalled any solutions.
Living near the forest means we face these problems year-round, but the
situation for these two families is especially dire.”