Rangamati Correspondent :
Panic has gripped people here because of increase in attacks by wild elephants on them and their properties at an alarming rate. Nobody knows when and where the elephants would start invading and attacking.
Earlier the elephants would conduct their atrocities at night, but now they are doing the same on daytime. As a result, people are in constant fear of losing their lives and other assets. Locals informed that the atrocity of the elephants is mostly found at Naval Base, Jibtali Army Cantonment, Sailors’ Colony, Forest Colony, Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation (BFIDC) Rest House, Ram Pahar, Kaptai Project Brickfield, Kaptai Lake exit point, Arachhari in Chitmaram, Dongnala in Raikhali union and other areas.
Kaptai Police Station sources said, one Sanatan Chakma Dukhu, 40, was trampled and killed by wild elephants at Bangchhari of the upazila at 9pm on June 19 last. On the other hand, Deputy Forest Officer (DFO) of Kaptai Pulpwood Forest Division A N M Abdul Wadud said, one Hla Thoai Prue Marma, 45, was killed by wild elephants at Dongnala area under Raikhali union in the upazila on the same day.
These two deaths have increased the worries of the locals.
Commander of BNS Shaheed Moazzem Captain S M Moniruzzaman said, “The wild elephant attack has reached an intolerable state. Some days ago, they attacked the Captain’s House and Parade Ground, and destroyed electric poles, gas pipelines, and water supply lines. Moreover, they devoured jackfruits from hundreds of trees recently. We remain in constant fear of elephant attack all the time.”
Nur Mohammad of Kaptai Forest Colony said, “Several days ago, four elephants entered the colony in the evening. They devoured banana trees, jackfruits and vegetation.
DFO A N M Abdul Wadud visited the spot at 10pm and ordered Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Abu Musa Shamsul Muhit Chowdhury to take necessary steps in this connection. Following this, two forest guards were sent at 11pm. As they fired blank shots, the elephants fled away. Everybody thought that they would not come, but they again invaded and stayed at the colony the whole night.”
DFO Abdul Wadud said, “There is no effective method to drive away elephants. But, following administrative permission, wired electric fences can be installed that will drive away the elephants after they come in touch of the live electric wires and get electric shocks. But, it is not also the permanent solution.” While asked about the wild elephant attack in localities, some forest officials said, “Wild elephants never come to localities rather human beings are paving their way since the habitation of the animals are becoming extinct following rapid construction of households and destruction of forests. Earlier, there were abundant wild banana trees inside jungles, but now as those trees have reduced, the elephants are invading the localities in large scale.”
Meanwhile, plying of vehicles has turned unsafe on the Rangamati-Kaptai new road as wild elephant herds invade the road in the evening regularly, informed drivers of different vehicles plying through the road.
President of Kaptai Press Club Kazi Mosharraf Hossen said, “Since plying of vehicles has stopped on the Ghagra-Boroichhari rout, vehicles are using the Rangamati-Kaptai new road that has increased the plight of commuters.”
Panic has gripped people here because of increase in attacks by wild elephants on them and their properties at an alarming rate. Nobody knows when and where the elephants would start invading and attacking.
Earlier the elephants would conduct their atrocities at night, but now they are doing the same on daytime. As a result, people are in constant fear of losing their lives and other assets. Locals informed that the atrocity of the elephants is mostly found at Naval Base, Jibtali Army Cantonment, Sailors’ Colony, Forest Colony, Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation (BFIDC) Rest House, Ram Pahar, Kaptai Project Brickfield, Kaptai Lake exit point, Arachhari in Chitmaram, Dongnala in Raikhali union and other areas.
Kaptai Police Station sources said, one Sanatan Chakma Dukhu, 40, was trampled and killed by wild elephants at Bangchhari of the upazila at 9pm on June 19 last. On the other hand, Deputy Forest Officer (DFO) of Kaptai Pulpwood Forest Division A N M Abdul Wadud said, one Hla Thoai Prue Marma, 45, was killed by wild elephants at Dongnala area under Raikhali union in the upazila on the same day.
These two deaths have increased the worries of the locals.
Commander of BNS Shaheed Moazzem Captain S M Moniruzzaman said, “The wild elephant attack has reached an intolerable state. Some days ago, they attacked the Captain’s House and Parade Ground, and destroyed electric poles, gas pipelines, and water supply lines. Moreover, they devoured jackfruits from hundreds of trees recently. We remain in constant fear of elephant attack all the time.”
Nur Mohammad of Kaptai Forest Colony said, “Several days ago, four elephants entered the colony in the evening. They devoured banana trees, jackfruits and vegetation.
DFO A N M Abdul Wadud visited the spot at 10pm and ordered Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) Abu Musa Shamsul Muhit Chowdhury to take necessary steps in this connection. Following this, two forest guards were sent at 11pm. As they fired blank shots, the elephants fled away. Everybody thought that they would not come, but they again invaded and stayed at the colony the whole night.”
DFO Abdul Wadud said, “There is no effective method to drive away elephants. But, following administrative permission, wired electric fences can be installed that will drive away the elephants after they come in touch of the live electric wires and get electric shocks. But, it is not also the permanent solution.” While asked about the wild elephant attack in localities, some forest officials said, “Wild elephants never come to localities rather human beings are paving their way since the habitation of the animals are becoming extinct following rapid construction of households and destruction of forests. Earlier, there were abundant wild banana trees inside jungles, but now as those trees have reduced, the elephants are invading the localities in large scale.”
Meanwhile, plying of vehicles has turned unsafe on the Rangamati-Kaptai new road as wild elephant herds invade the road in the evening regularly, informed drivers of different vehicles plying through the road.
President of Kaptai Press Club Kazi Mosharraf Hossen said, “Since plying of vehicles has stopped on the Ghagra-Boroichhari rout, vehicles are using the Rangamati-Kaptai new road that has increased the plight of commuters.”
