Man elephant conflict continues in Udalguri: two dead

The man elephant conflict in Udalguri district has taken a new turn when two more people had lost their lives in last two days at Hatigarh and Orangajuli. In the first incident, one Biplab Das (32 ), a former AASU activist was trampled to death by a wild elephant at Ghagara near Hatigarh TE at 4.30 pm on July 16, while he was riding a bike. He died on the spot while pillion rider Babu Baro just managed to save his life. In another incident, one Sukhram Munda ( 50 )son of late Ganga Munda of the village Kalahandi Basti two km from Orangajuli TE was trampled to death by a wild elephant near his residence at 4 am on July 18. It has been reported by the villagers that a herd of wild elephants numbering forty to fifty, was seen moving in the locality the previous night. Both the incidents have created panic in the tea garden areas of Udalguri district bordering Bhutan. It needs mention that wild elephants had so far killed more than a dozen people in recent months in the northern areas of Udalguri district. On the otherhand several elephants too had been killed by irate people of the localities.Circle Officer, DN Hazarika of Harisinga Revenue Circle has visited both the two places of the incident along with forest and police officials. Ananta Bagh, CEO of Green Valley Forest and Wildlife Protection Society (an NGO formed to create awareness among people) told Assam Times that government must act immediately to find permanent solutions to end man elephant conflict in the state. He said that tea garden managements too had enough to do in the matter, as most of the tea gardens have been situated very close to elephant corridors. He suggested tea garden managements not to use excessive pesticides or toxic materials close top forest areas of the gardens,which could pose big threat to roaming herd of wild elephants. Bagh was leading a ten member delegation to meet Chief Minister of Assam on July 18 in Guwahati to persuade the CM to take personal interest in the matter to end man elephant conflict. He requested media to help creating awareness among people so that people living in such areas remain alert, avoiding conflicts.