In yet another destruction spree, tuskers ventured into a village in Tripura and demolished houses of residents causing an estimated loss worth over Rs 1.5 lakh.
The inhabitants of several villages under Teliamura Forest department in Tripura – especially Krishnapur, Uttar Krishnapur, Officetila etc – are living with constant fear of wild elephant attack for a long time. With the dearth of food in its habitat, elephants often venture into villages and inflict losses to properties and standing crops.
In one such incident, a herd of tuskers left a trail of destruction at Subharam Chowdhury Para in Uttar Maharani under Teliamura subdivision on Sunday night. The rampaging jumbos destroyed houses of the Janajati people. The affected families suffered huge losses.
The Forest department has failed to come up with any sustainable and effective plans to stop the relentless jumbo attacks.
On Sunday night, wild elephants descended into Subharam Chowdhury Para and attacked the houses of the hamlet residents.
According to locals, “Tuskers destroyed three houses in search of food. The dwellers managed to flee away from the aggressive elephants and raised an alarm. Affected families suffered a loss worth over Rs 1.5 lakhs”.
Commenting on the man-animal conflict in the area experts said, Scarcity of food in the forest areas is a big issue – elephants after entering into human habitations are targeting crop fields. Later, they destroy residences of villagers to get eatables.
Anti Depredation Squad (ADS) was formed by the Forest Department to prevent the rampaging elephants from entering the villages – however, it is alleged the ADS members have little resources to scare off the rampaging tuskers.
Normally crackers are being used in this purpose. However, ADS does not have sufficient quantity of crackers to push back the elephants.
Meanwhile, Forest department personnel said a plan for creating elephant sanctuary under the Forest Department is mooted. This will be a permanent solution for which the villagers are keenly waiting.