Elephants destroy homes and lives in Mirza, (Kamrup) Assam!

They have been frequently spotted drinking water from wells in the Lachitnagar and Mirza areas, and wherever they find banana or jackfruit trees, or paddy fields, they make their way in, destroying crops and homes. The sight of a herd of 16 elephants in the vicinity is a common occurrence, leading to rising panic among the villagers.

“We are terrified, wondering which house the elephants will break into tonight,” says Biraj Kumar Das, a resident of Mirza. Recalling a harrowing incident, he shares, “When an elephant broke into my compound, it came within inches of stepping on my car parked in the open garage.” Such near-misses have become part of the daily reality for many residents, forcing them to adopt measures to minimize losses, even if it means sacrificing basic security.

“I haven’t reconstructed my broken wall,” Biraj Kumar Das adds. “If the elephants break it again, what’s the point of rebuilding? As long as they are around, it feels futile to repair anything.”

A terrifying incident occurred when one of the elephants broke into a compound wall and entered the backyard of a local family. At around 12:30 am, the elephant began munching on banana leaves, forcing the family members to rush to the terrace for safety. The elephant remained in the backyard until 5 am before silently leaving. Such incidents have become part of the daily reality for many in the region, making it unsafe for people to venture out after dark.

Moreover, elephants have such sharp memories that they often raid the same house multiple times in search of food.

The situation escalated further when, a few days ago, two neighbouring houses were destroyed by elephants in the middle of the night. Fortunately, no one was hurt in the attack. However, not everyone has been so lucky. In a tragic incident just, a couple of months ago, an individual lost their life after an elephant encounter. This death has left the community in a state of constant fear and uncertainty.

The terror of encountering an elephant while walking on the streets at night is a constant threat. Due to their stealthy movements, the elephants’ footsteps are often unheard, making it nearly impossible to detect their presence.

As a result, residents have been advised not to leave their homes after dark, with some fearing that elephants may invade public events like marriages or ceremonies, in search of food. This fear was realized when two elephants tried to enter a marriage pandal recently, forcing forest officials to burn tires to drive them away.

“We are terrified, wondering which house the elephants will break into tonight,” says Biraj Kumar Das, a resident of Mirza. Recalling a harrowing incident, he shares, “When an elephant broke into my compound, it came within inches of stepping on my car parked in the open garage.” Such near-misses have become part of the daily reality for many residents, forcing them to adopt measures to minimize losses, even if it means sacrificing basic security.

“I haven’t reconstructed my broken wall,” Biraj Das adds. “If the elephants break it again, what’s the point of rebuilding? As long as they are around, it feels futile to repair anything.”

This resignation reflects the deep frustration and helplessness felt by the people, where many have given up on restoring their damaged homes due to the repetitive nature of the destruction. It also highlights the extreme measures people have had to take to protect themselves from the marauding elephants, even at the risk of their well-being.

For some, the trauma goes beyond property damage. I once fractured my leg while running to save my life from an elephant. Physical injuries like her are not uncommon, but the emotional scars run even deeper. The constant threat has left residents hyper-vigilant, with every sound at night triggering panic and the fear of another elephant incursion.

The psychological toll of these repeated encounters is profound. Many residents report difficulty sleeping and an overarching sense of dread that permeates their daily lives. The sound of a rustling leaf or a faint thud can send waves of anxiety through households, as families brace for the possibility of yet another intrusion. This mental strain has made normal living in the area nearly impossible.

“The psychological impacts of living in constant fear are enormous,” says Raghab Das, a resident, urging the government to act. “Its time stringent measures are implemented to protect the lives and property of the people here.”

Despite the escalating threat to human life and property, forest officials seem ill-equipped to deal with the situation. The lack of advanced equipment and effective methods for controlling the elephant movement has only added to the residents’ distress.

Apart from burning tires, no significant measures have been implemented to protect the people of these areas. The government’s response has been similarly inadequate, with no immediate plans to address the issue effectively.

While the authorities have instructed people to fill forms for compensation for the damage caused by the elephants, only a handful of residents have actually received any reimbursement.

A WAKE-UP CALL

While the elephants are often blamed for their raids on human settlements, we must also acknowledge the harsh reality that humans have played a significant role in driving these majestic creatures into conflict with us. The Maliyata hill, once a safe haven for these elephants, have seen a significant decline in forest cover, pushing the elephants to venture into human settlements.

The elephant’s desperate search for food and shelter in human territories is not an act of aggression but a result of the unchecked damage we have inflicted on the environment. As forests shrink and food sources dwindle, elephants have no choice but to raid crops, search for water, and even invade homes in search of sustenance. In their quest for survival, these gentle giants are simply doing what is necessary to feed and protect their families, but in doing so, they are clashing with human populations.

We have already cut down nearly half of the world’s estimated 5.8 trillion trees, leaving us with only 3 trillion trees at present. Every year, we cut down an astonishing 15 billion trees, and at this rate, it is predicted that trees will become extinct within the next 200 years.

If this happens, life on Earth will face an unimaginable tragedy. Trees are the lifeblood of our planet, providing oxygen, storing carbon, and supporting entire ecosystems. Without trees, the environment would collapse, leading to the extinction of not only elephants but also humans and every other form of life that depends on the Earth’s resources.

As forests shrink and food sources dwindle, elephants have no choice but to raid crops, search for water, and even invade homes in search of sustenance. In their quest for survival, these gentle giants are simply doing what is necessary to feed and protect their families, but in doing so, they are clashing with human populations.

The elephants are not the problem; we are. If we continue to destroy their food sources and homes, we are pushing them into desperate situations where conflict with humans becomes inevitable. The real question we should be asking is not why elephants are raiding human settlements, but why we are allowing this destruction of their habitats to continue.

We have become so consumed by our desire for progress and luxury that we have lost sight of the importance of preserving our planet. We must realize that without trees, there can be no elephants, no wildlife, and ultimately, no humanity. It is time for us to take responsibility for our actions and make changes to protect the environment for future generations.

The situation is critical, and if we do not act now, the damage will be irreversible. If we are to have a future on this planet, we need to prioritize conservation, stop deforestation, and implement sustainable practices to ensure that both humans and wildlife can coexist peacefully. The survival of elephants, and indeed our own survival, depends on the preservation of the natural world.

08-01-2025

Mahabahu.com is an Online Magazine with collection of premium Assamese and English articles and posts with cultural base and modern thinking. You can send your articles to editor@mahabahu.com / editor@mahabahoo.com(For Assamese article, Unicode font is necessary) Images from different sources.