In an bizarre incident one school teacher was badly injured while he returning from his workplace on Tuesday last in Tripura. The teacher – Rabindra Kumar Shil – was attacked by a herd of Bisons at Chittakhola Area in South Tripura district. Bisons in the area are not uncommon – in fact the entire area and Trishna sanctuary is famous for Bisons. However, attacking a person who was running in his bike along the main road is what is truly unexpected, a veteran of Chottakhola area commented.
The attack left Rabindra Kumar Shil with serious injuries. Local people rushed the injured teacher to local hospital and then Gomati district hospital for better medical attention. The teacher is posted at PR Bari School.
Even as local people are not looking the attack as man-animal conflict but a freak incident – a section of elderly people raised concerns. “Areas for wild animals are shrinking very fast. Animals are also facing food crisis due to rampant deforestation. Monkeys are the poor victims of mindless deforestation. With lack of food and lack of secured habitat, monkeys are swooping down to populated areas in search of food”, said one Ramen Majumder of Rajnagar area. His opinion was echoed among several other villagers in the area including Barpathari.
While deforestation is a major threat, growing rubber plantations have destroyed what was available for animals, alleged Ramen. Presently, Bison attack may be taken as a freak accident – however, it is important that Forest Personnel conduct a detailed study and verify whether natural habitat of Bisons are in good condition. Availability of food should also be analyzed, Rajnagar villagers demanded.
Referring to wild elephant attacks in areas under Teliamura sub-division, a person voiced concerned about possibility Bison attacks in future in Chottakhola and surrounding areas. “If food and habitation of Bisons are disturbed for some reasons, Bisons may venture out of deep forest into populated areas causing harm to villagers – as is the case of wild elephant attacks in Teliamura area”, Ramen claimed.