Crops damaged by elephants in Majuli

KAMALABARI, June 21 ? A herd of wild elephants numbering 50 to 55 has caused extensive damage to ripe Ahu crops in east Majuli. The animals devoured the standing crops over about 600 bighas of land. The villagers of Napamua, Baghargaon, Gayangaon, Chinatoli, Nikinikhowa, Kalanibari, Meragarh, Salmara etc are now spending sleepless nights, protecting their hearth and homes from the onslaught of the animals.

The inhabitants of the area have demanded the subdivisional administration to take adequate measures to drive away the wild beasts from the river island. They further urged the authorities to supply adequate quantity of kerosene and crackers. The establishment of a wild life division in Majuli is a long-standing demand of the people, as the entire belt covering about 40000 human population from Gezera on the north and Salmara on the south has been a regular witness to depredation by pachyderms.