Dibrugarh, July 6: In a unique gesture of thanking the community, forest officials in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district awarded a cash prize of ₹10,000 to villagers who played a crucial role in rescuing a wild baby elephant trapped in a muddy pit for nearly two days in Deomali.
The rescue, carried out by the Deomali Forest Division, was made possible through the swift and coordinated response of local residents who joined hands with forest personnel to save the distressed calf. Their wholehearted assistance helped shorten the operation to just two hours, ending with the young elephant safely guided back into the forest.
Upon receiving the alert about the trapped elephant on the evening of July 5, a team led by Range Forest Officer (RFO) Diwang Lowang, under the supervision of Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Deomali, rushed to the site. The team included foresters Kaling Libang, Leamkai Wangpan, Leki Ingo, O.P. Singh, and other department staff.
“Such timely cooperation from villagers is what strengthens wildlife protection on the ground,” said RFO Lowang, who personally handed over the appreciation award.
Forest officials stressed the importance of community awareness in such incidents. “Elephants frequently move through the jungle routes in and around Deomali. If anyone digs pits in or near these areas—for construction or other purposes—they must ensure the pits are closed afterwards,” an official warned. “Many accidents involving elephants and calves occur because of negligence.”
The Deomali Forest Division has urged residents to immediately report any wildlife emergencies, emphasizing that early intervention can prevent injury and loss of life among wild animals.
The rescued calf, though shaken, appeared healthy and quickly rejoined the forest, marking a successful example of human-wildlife coexistence in Arunachal Pradesh.
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