Elephant kills man in Palashbari as forest dept faces heat over inaction and rampant deforestation

GUWAHATI, May 16: A 53-year-old man, identified as Ashok Das, was trampled to death by a wild elephant on Friday at Rangamati under the Palashbari revenue circle in Assam’s Kamrup district. Das was reportedly cutting leaves to feed his goats when a herd of elephants emerged and fatally attacked him.

The elephant herd is believed to have strayed out of the nearby Rani Reserve Forest in search of food, triggering panic in villages under the Loharghat Forest Range of West Kamrup Forest Division. Villagers allege that despite repeated complaints, forest officials have failed to respond or take preventive action.

Local residents claim that the situation is being worsened by unchecked deforestation within the reserve forest, which is forcing elephants to move into human settlements. “We’ve filed dozens of complaints, but there’s been no serious action. People are living in fear,” said a local resident.

The incident has reignited concerns over human-wildlife conflict, which continues to rise across Assam due to shrinking forest cover and habitat disruption. Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident or on steps being taken to address the community’s safety concerns.

Also Read: Assam cabinet clears milk processing plant, two 5-star hotels in Guwahati

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