Rising Human-Elephant Conflict Prompts Call for Trained Elephants

The growing man-elephant conflict in areas under Kamrup West and East forest divisions has raised concern, with villagers forced to stay awake at night to protect their homes and crops. Experts and conservationists have suggested deploying trained kunki elephants with experienced mahouts to help control the movement of wild herds and reduce the risk to people and property.

Forest officials have also acknowledged the worsening situation, citing manpower shortages as a challenge. Residents have reported significant crop and grain losses, including hundreds of kilograms of paddy consumed by elephants. Experts have called for a dedicated task force to respond quickly to elephant movements while ensuring both human safety and wildlife conservation.