BOKAKHAT, Dec 21 � Depredation by wild elephants in Bokakhat and Mohura mouzas, including a major part of Kaziranga mouza (excluding Kaziranga National Park) is increasing day by day. Herds of wild elephants have started damaging houses and paddy fields of the villagers after coming down from the foothills of Karbi Anglong and the Nambar reserve forest.
It may be mentioned here that a herd of wild elephants numbering about 60-70 created panic in different villages, including the Bokakhat town, from December 10 to 14. Though forest guards tried to scare them away from the inhabited area, the herd still captured south Kaziranga, Mohmaikigaon and different villages under Bokakhat gaon panchayat area. The residences and paddy stocks of villagers Gobin Kutum and Khargeswar Doley of Balijan Adarsa Mising Gaon were completely destroyed by the elephants. Later, the herd formed two groups, with one damaging the residential areas of Seujipar and the other damaging paddy stocks at Jyotipur. Villagers Khargeswar Doley and Dhuruli Kutum suffered injuries during the depredation.
Another herd of elephants again came down from the hillside and destroyed the paddy stocks and residences of the villagers of Sapjuri and Ahom Gaon area. A person died after being attacked by a tusker. Three of the elephants then entered Difolu Pathar, Japori Pathar and Beldubi villages. A woman was badly injured there. Besides, the houses of Mahendra Gogoi of Difolu Pathar, Binanda Das of Japori Pathar and Guruburha Doley of Belaguri Mising Gaon were also damaged. A tusker injured one Sarumai Gogoi as well.
While deforestation, encroachment, lack of food and blocking of animal corridor have posed a threat to the wild elephants, innocent people are bearing the brunt of their attack.
