Wild Elephants Destroy Ganesh Temple in Rani, Spark Fresh Concern

Wild elephants destroyed a Ganesh temple in Mairapur-Majpara village near Rani on the outskirts of Guwahati, highlighting the worsening human-elephant conflict in forest fringe areas. The temple, built by villagers near the Mahendri Reserve Forest, was damaged a day after a Ganesh puja was held. Elephants also entered nearby homes and damaged crops and gardens, though no casualties were reported. Residents have accused the Forest Department of failing to take effective preventive measures as similar elephant intrusions were also reported from Maniari Tiniali near Mirza.