Man-elephant conflicts are on the rise in Assam, particularly in areas near reserve forests due to deforestation and scarcity of food. In the Boko area along the Assam-Meghalaya border, conflicts between humans and wild elephants have become more frequent, often resulting in fatalities. However, one man, Political Rabha, miraculously survived an attack by a female elephant in Mousuwa village under the Hahim beat office of Singra Forest Range Office in West Kamrup Divisional Forest Office.
According to Rabha's neighbour, Ajay Rabha, a herd of elephants including babies crossed their village earlier in the day. In the afternoon, a male, a female, and a baby elephant entered a banana garden and started feeding and destroying. Political Rabha and other villagers went to chase the elephants, but the female elephant chased Rabha back and almost squeezed him. Rabha survived the attack, but he was partially injured.
Man-elephant conflicts have become a common occurrence in the area, with elephants entering villages and destroying houses and gardens. The Forest Department sometimes visits the villages after such incidents occur, but residents say more needs to be done to prevent such conflicts.
DFO West Kamrup Division, Dimpy Bora, has ordered the Singra Range Officer to investigate the incident and patrol the area. Bora also announced plans to organize an awareness meeting on 'Man-Elephant conflict' with WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature-India), Aaranyak (a wildlife NGO based in Guwahati), and Elephant Foundation within a week. The meeting will cover people in Singra and Bondapara Forest Range areas, and attendees will be given high-quality torch lights and firecrackers for their safety.