Agartala, December 10, 2024: Tripura’s Chankhala area in South Ghilatali under Khowai district witnessed a tense Monday night as two wild tusked elephants went on a rampage causing panic among residents. The elephants entered the locality after dark, devoured several banana trees and damaged nearby crops before retreating to the forest. Although no major damage to houses or structures was reported, the incident has left the community on edge.

“We were terrified to see the elephants roaming around the locality. It’s becoming a recurring issue, and we fear for our safety and livelihood,” said a resident of Chankhala. Farmers, whose crops bore the brunt of the attack, expressed their concerns about the financial strain such incidents impose.

The forest department, responding to the incident, assured locals of necessary measures to prevent such events. “We urge residents to remain vigilant and take precautions, such as using lights, creating noise, or generating smoke in areas prone to elephant movements. Any sightings should be reported to us immediately,” a department official advised.

Experts attribute these incidents to the shrinking forest cover and dwindling food resources for elephants. “As their natural habitats are encroached upon, elephants venture into human settlements in search of sustenance. This human-elephant conflict is a direct consequence of habitat destruction,” said a wildlife conservationist.

The impact on local farmers has been severe. “Wild elephants are wreaking havoc on paddy, vegetables, and other crops. For a community dependent on agriculture, this is a devastating blow,” said a farmer from the area.

To address the crisis, experts and locals have called for comprehensive measures, including habitat conservation and ensuring adequate food resources for wildlife. “Immediate relief in the form of compensation for farmers is essential, but long-term strategies are equally critical to mitigate human-elephant conflicts,” emphasized a conservation expert.