Wild elephants destroy paddy fields in Assam’s Rani, farmers fear losses ahead of harvest

Wild elephants destroy paddy fields in Assam’s Rani, farmers fear losses ahead of harvest

Wild elephant herds have repeatedly raided paddy fields across villages in Assam’s Rani Forest Range, destroying crops and causing a fatality. Farmers said the raids left families with months of lost work and forced some to abandon paddy cultivation, and they demanded coordinated intervention by the Assam and Meghalaya governments. The death of Alani Rabha in Thengapara, who was trampled while being taken to hospital, was reported by residents. “We depend on agriculture for our livelihood. Without paddy cultivation, our families are facing serious financial difficulties,” said farmer Atul Nath of Nalapara. The Forest Department, citing Rani Forest Range Officer Roji Barman, has applied to the government for compensation for 77 affected families and begun installing solar‑powered fencing along a 17‑km stretch after MLA Himanshu Sekhar Baishya’s request; three kilometres are already completed. Farmers also noted that NGOs are active but urged sustained Meghalaya government action, alleging habitat loss and poaching there are pushing elephants toward Assam.

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