Floods Unleash Deadly Human-Animal Clashes in North Bengal

Last month, the devastating floods in north Bengal have led to a significant increase in human-animal conflicts in the region. An adult male elephant and a wild boar have killed a total of 5 people in the districts of Alipurduar and Cooch Behar.

The elephant first attacked a 43-year-old man as he was returning home on his motorcycle. Just a few hours later, the same elephant killed a woman and her 2-year-old child in a separate incident around 7 km away. Forest officials have identified the elephant and are closely monitoring its movements.

The floods have forced numerous animals, including elephants, rhinos, and bison, to stray out of the forests and into nearby villages. This has resulted in a sharp rise in cases of wild animals entering human settlements, leading to the tragic deaths. In addition, the floodwaters have covered the grasslands in the forest areas with a thick layer of silt, disrupting the food supply for herbivores like elephants.

Forest authorities have increased patrols, particularly at night, and have deployed quick response teams to address calls from villagers about animal sightings. They are also working to clear the silt from the grasslands, which they expect will take until the next monsoon rains to fully restore the natural habitats.

The floods have taken a heavy toll on the region's wildlife, killing a leopard, a rhino, bison, and sambar deer. With the animals' migratory patterns disrupted, forest officials anticipate that the herds may soon shift towards the Buxa Tiger Reserve in search of food.