By TC News Desk
Agartala, 10th December 2024: Two wild tusked elephants caused panic in the Chankhala area of South Ghilatali on Monday night as they went on a rampage destroying banana trees and some nearby crops. While there was no significant damage to houses or other structures, the incident has left locals anxious and calling for immediate action from authorities.
The elephants entered the locality after dark, wreaked havoc by eating banana trees, and then retreated to the forest area. “We were terrified when we saw the elephants. They destroyed several banana trees and some crops before going back into the forest,” said a local resident.
Forest department officials have urged residents to remain vigilant and have promised to take necessary measures to prevent future incidents. “We are closely monitoring the situation and will implement strategies to deter the elephants from entering human settlements,” said a forest department official.
Residents are particularly concerned about the disruption to their daily lives. “These incidents are becoming more frequent, and it’s affecting our livelihood,” said another resident. They have called on the forest department and local administration to take swift action. The forest department has advised locals to use methods such as lighting lights, making noise, or creating smoke in areas where elephants move to deter them and to inform the department immediately if elephants are spotted.
Experts suggest that the elephants are venturing into the locality due to the continuous shrinkage of their habitat and food shortages. “The destruction of forest areas and the reduction of natural resources are driving elephants to seek food in villages,” explained an expert in wildlife conservation.
The rampage has highlighted the growing problem of human-elephant conflict in the Chankhla area, where many depend on agriculture. The destruction of paddy, vegetables, and other crops by wild elephants is causing significant financial strain on farmers. “If this continues, it will lead to a severe economic crisis for farmers and affect crop production,” warned another expert.
The administration has been urged to take comprehensive measures to address the issue. “We need to compensate local farmers for their losses and implement more effective strategies to drive away elephants,” stated a local leader. Long-term plans for wildlife conservation and resolving human-elephant conflicts are also deemed essential.
