Wild elephants on rampage off Dergaon From Our Correspondent KARTIK CHAORI (Dergaon), Jan 21 – Continuous depredation by a herd of wild elephants in and around Kartik Chapori of the west Jorhat area, about 20 km off Dergaon has caused immense damage to the villagers in terms of destruction of houses and agricultural land. About 100 elephants have damaged as many as 150 houses in the past few months and vegetable farms etc, compelling the villagers to take shelter at Nahatia HS School and Nahatia Namghar and spend sleepless nights.
According to information, the herd reached the area on January 11 by crossing the river Brahmaputra. Since then, it has been on the rampage at Ouna Chapori and Kartik Chapori and damaged more then 100 houses in the areas. This has forced about 200 people to take shelter at the school and the namghar. The food items to the affected people are being supplied by the people of Nahatia, Nijbaligaon, Ujani Khongia, Bhabalichuk etc. The residents of Ouna Chapori and Kartik Chapori comprise mostly the people of Mising and Bihari communities. The herd has also damaged houses and vegetable farms in old Supakhati, Ujani Khongia, Nahatia, Khutiapata, Upperdeori, etc.
The herd originally travelled from the upper Assam side five months ago and entered the areas through Disangmukh and entered depredation at Nimti Hatishal. Since then the herd is taking shelter in the area.
GN Saikia, ACF of Jorhat, told The Assam Tribune, that a team of 30 forest personal tried to bring out the herd last night. A Kunki will also be used for the purpose. He revealed that more than 1000 families have been affected by the depredation. According to him, a total of 159 applications seeking compensation have been finalised and another 700 are under scrutiny at the west Jorhat circle.
