Domestic Buffaloes Create Havoc in Kamrup District: Farmers Demand Action

In Kamrup district, farmers are facing a growing crisis as a herd of domestic buffaloes wreaks havoc on their crops and threatens their safety. The situation has escalated over the past two years, with the herd increasing from eight to 22 buffaloes. Farmers are calling for urgent intervention from the Forest Department to address the issue before it leads to serious consequences. While some have taken measures to protect their land, the need for a comprehensive plan is evident. The buffaloes, which are believed to have been displaced during floods, pose not only a threat to crops but also potential health risks to humans. The community is seeking immediate action to resolve this pressing problem.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 31, 2025, 10:41 IST

Buffalo Herd Threatens Farmers in Kamrup

Amingaon, Dec 31: A group of domestic buffaloes has been causing significant distress for farmers at Rani Chapori char in Kamrup (M) district for the last two years. Local farmers are losing sleep over the threat these animals pose to their safety and crops.

Farmers report that the issue began in 2024 when eight buffaloes were first seen on the char. Akshay Kalita, a local farmer, noted that the herd has now grown to 22, including calves, raising serious concerns. He mentioned that the buffaloes typically appear at night, causing chaos before disappearing by morning.

Kalita urged the relevant authorities to tranquilize the buffaloes and suggested that they should remain on the char for several days to prevent any incidents.

While some farmers have managed to build fences to keep the herd at bay, not everyone has the financial means to do so.

“The priority is to ensure the safety of both lives and farmland. The Forest Department must devise a solid plan to tackle this issue before a disaster strikes,” he emphasized.

The buffaloes have been damaging various crops, including brinjal, cabbage, pumpkin, bottle gourd, and lady’s finger.

Subhash Kalita, another farmer from the area, expressed that the situation is worsening and called for prompt action to avert a tragedy. He has already incurred significant losses and has taken measures to protect his land.

“After suffering extensive damage, I dug a trench around my 20-bigha plot, which has helped,” he explained, noting that some farmers with smaller plots have also installed barbed-wire fencing.

“The Forest Department has attempted to drive the herd away with our assistance, but the buffaloes flee into the jungle as soon as they see people,” he added. Farmers in the area cultivate a variety of crops, including vegetables, pulses, oilseeds, and rice.

According to officials from the Forest Department, personnel have visited the area multiple times to address the issue.

“These buffaloes are not wild; they are domestic animals that were displaced during floods and took refuge here,” a source stated, mentioning that teams have been deployed to the area on several occasions, including in January of this year.

In previous efforts, a team from the Forest Department, along with local leaders, residents, and police, tried to drive the herd away in October 2024.

“Locating them is challenging. Although we can use drones to track them, the area is a no-fly zone, and we cannot obtain permission from the Airports Authority of India,” explained Mrinal Medhi, Forest Range Officer of Palashbari Forest Range, who participated in the operations. He added that spotting the buffaloes during the day is tough, as they retreat into dense forest areas when they are seen.

Meanwhile, the buffalo owners have reportedly submitted claims to the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of East Kamrup Forest Division, asserting ownership of the animals that are roaming the char, stating they were swept away during floods.

DFO Ashok Dev Choudhury confirmed, “I received three ownership applications on November 11, 2025, and forwarded them to the Co-District Commissioner of Jalukbari on December 8, 2025.”

Jiban Krishna Goswami, Co-District Commissioner of Jalukbari, stated, “I have received the applications regarding the buffaloes. Capturing them will be easier during the kharif season.”

He added that farmers affected by the buffaloes have been asked to provide written accounts of the damages they have incurred.

An expert from the wildlife organization Aranyak noted that when domestic buffaloes become feral, they often retain some human-imprinted behaviors. “With such dual characteristics, the risk of attacks on humans cannot be ignored,” the expert warned, adding that feral buffaloes can pose serious health threats, as humans may be susceptible to diseases like foot-and-mouth disease and other infections that can arise from wildlife.