Extensive depredations by wild elephants in Majuli

KAMALABARI, July 9 ? A herd of wild elephants numbering 50 to 55 recently caused extensive depredations to ripe Ahu crops in east Majuli. The wild elephants also devoured the standing crops of about 600 bighas of land. The villagers of Napamua, Baghargaon, Gayangaon, Chinatoli, Nikinikhowa, Kalanibari, Meragarh, Salmara etc are now spending sleepless nights, protecting their hearth and homes from the onslaught of the elephants. The inhabitants of the area demand the subdivisional administration to take adequate measures to drive away the wild elephant from the river island. They further urge upon the authorities to supply adequate quantities of kerosene oil and fire crackers. The establishment of a wild life division in Majuli is a long standing demand of the people, as the entire belt covering about 40000 human population from Gezera on the north and Salmara on the south has been a regular witness to depredation of pachyderms in the summer and winter harvesting times for the last couple of years.