Jumbos retaliate in Udalguri district:One killed

Man elephant conflict in Udalguri district has taken serious turn on July 9 when one Narayan Mandal (52) son of Rai Mohan Mandal of the village No.1 Barangajuli was trampled by a wild elephant at 8 pm on July 10 at his village in Barangajuli. The victim was badly injured at the spot and succumbed to his injury at the spot. DN Hazarika, Circle Officer, Harisinga Revenue circle: Utpal Bayan, SDPO, Bhergaon sub-division arrived at the spot of the tragedy next ady on July 11. It is to be mentioned that man elephant conflict in the northern part of Udalguri district close to Indo-Bhutan international border had been critical for a few years. Last month one two years old elephant was brutally poisoned to death in Bamunjuli TE and one thirty years old wild elephant was badly injured by locals at Orangajuli TE. The injured wild elephant was however treated by a team of veterinary specialists from Assam Veterinary College, Khanapara, Guwahati on July 4. (newas published in The Assam Tribune on July 9). Nature loving people of Udalguri say that until and unless elephant corridors are reserved in the northern part of Udalguri district the conflict would continue. People who had been settled in the elephant corridors must learn to treat well with the wild jumbos. Ananta Bagh, CEO of a local based NGO called Green Valley said that they were ready to provide food by planting banana trees for wild elephants at different places at very low costs. According to him co-existance was the best solution.