Setting up of wildlife station sought
TURA: In the aftermath of the recent killing of a local school teacher by a herd of elephants the people residing in Dalu in West Garo Hills have voiced their concern fearing similar incidents happening in the future.
The elephant herd which number around 40 had in the past never trespassed beyond the border areas although at least five people were killed by the marauding animals in the last two decades according to the FKJGP. However, due to rampant depletion of forest areas in the region conflicts between men and elephants have increased with the latter even intruding into the main town areas which is what happened in the case of the recent killing of the school teacher. “Earlier, these elephants would only come as far as the border areas and never went beyond that. But the recent case in which they intruded to the main town and trampled to death a school teacher has greatly terrorized the people residing in Dalu,” the FKJGP, Dalu Circle President, Leivey Livingstone Momin said.
The federation stated that while the existence of wild elephants in the region was the pride and prestige of Garo Hills and the state as a whole the lives of the people residing in Dalu could not be put at risk. “We know that they are wandering in search of food and shelter but their activities pose a threat to the lives of people including loss of property. The people are happy with their existence but not at the cost of a life,” Momin said.
While restrictions cannot be put on the intrusion of elephants into human habitats, the FKJGP in order to safeguard human life and loss of property has appealed to the Wildlife Conservator, West Garo Hills for the setting up of a temporary wildlife station in the area for prompt action in case of future disturbances by elephants a memorandum for which would also be submitted to the Minister concerned shortly.
