Wild elephants, buffaloes trigger panic in Nagaon village; farmers allege forest dept apathy

Panic has gripped Bharaguri village in Assam’s Nagaon district after wild elephants and wild buffaloes strayed into agricultural fields, damaging standing crops and terrorising residents.

The incident has been reported from Samaguri’s Bharaguri area, where farmers are currently busy harvesting Boro paddy. Amid the harvesting season, a herd of four wild elephants allegedly destroyed vast stretches of farmland, causing major losses to cultivators.

Alongside the elephant menace, the movement of wild buffaloes in the area has further heightened fear among villagers.

Local residents said the repeated attacks by wild animals have pushed many farming families into distress, with several cultivators staring at heavy financial losses due to crop destruction.

Villagers alleged that Bharaguri residents have been forced to endure the menace of wild elephants almost throughout the year, turning daily life into a struggle. Many locals claimed they are spending sleepless nights fearing sudden elephant movement into the village.

Residents and farmers have also accused the Forest Department of failing to take effective measures either to drive the animals back into forest areas or to control the worsening situation.

The recurring human-animal conflict in the Samaguri region has once again raised concerns over shrinking forest habitats and increasing wildlife intrusion into human settlements in Assam.