Escalating Human-Elephant Conflicts in Assam's Tamulpur District

In Assam's Tamulpur district, escalating human-elephant conflicts have resulted in three fatalities within two days, raising alarm among local residents. The community is increasingly worried about the inadequate resources and personnel available to manage these dangerous encounters. Former MLA Jolen Daimary has called for urgent government intervention to address the issue, including the relocation of elephants to ensure public safety. With a large herd of elephants descending from the Bhutan hills, the situation has become critical, prompting discussions on the need for better wildlife management strategies. The government is reportedly working on long-term solutions to mitigate these conflicts, but immediate action is necessary to protect the community.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 28, 2026, 13:11 IST

Recent Fatalities Raise Alarm

The recurring attacks have intensified concerns among residents over the limited manpower

Tamulpur, Oct 28: In a tragic turn of events, two individuals lost their lives due to separate wild elephant attacks in Assam's Tamulpur district on Wednesday, bringing the total fatalities from human-elephant conflicts along the India-Bhutan border to three within just two days.

The victims, identified as Bowa Lohar, aged 55, and Budhua Paik, aged 50, were attacked by elephants while they were on their way to their fields in Hatiduba and Menuka Tea Estate in NC Angarkata, respectively. Both men died instantly.

This incident follows another fatality reported a day earlier in Paharpur, near the Bhutan border, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by local residents.

The frequency of these attacks has raised significant concerns among the community regarding the insufficient manpower and resources available to forest officials responsible for managing these conflicts.

“The issue of human-elephant conflict in Tamulpur is longstanding. Just yesterday, one person was killed, and today, three were attacked, resulting in two deaths and one injury. Living here has become increasingly perilous,” stated former Tamulpur MLA Jolen Daimary.

Daimary mentioned that he had previously addressed this issue during his time as an MLA, which led to the deployment of forest guards and security personnel in the area. However, he noted that these guards and patrol points have since been withdrawn, leaving residents vulnerable to further incidents.

“We urge the government to tranquilize and relocate the elephants to ensure the safety of the community,” he added. Daimary also questioned the adequacy of the current personnel deployment, especially in the northern regions of Tamulpur.

“The Tamulpur constituency is vast, and having only 10–15 personnel is insufficient to cover the entire area. Immediate government action is necessary, particularly in the northern parts,” he emphasized.

Residents have also reported equipment malfunctions during elephant-drive operations, claiming that firearms occasionally jam when attempting to deter the animals.

In the Kumarikata range, a local resident expressed concerns, stating that only 10–15 personnel are assigned despite the need for a significantly larger team, underscoring the ongoing issues with manpower and resources.

“The Kumarikata range requires 30–40 personnel, but only 10–15 are present. Additionally, where 10–15 firearms are necessary, only two palm guns are available, and these often malfunction when we accompany officials to drive away the elephants. Why hasn’t the government provided the necessary personnel, equipment, vehicles, and resources?” the resident questioned, wishing to remain anonymous.

The reported lack of personnel, firearms, and vehicles has heightened fears among residents, as a large herd of wild elephants has been descending from the Bhutan hills in search of food, causing destruction in the border areas of Tamulpur.

Earlier this year, in July, Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah informed the Assam Legislative Assembly that nearly 150 individuals lose their lives annually due to such conflicts across the state. He mentioned that the government is developing a comprehensive strategy focused on restoring elephant habitats through extensive afforestation and creating plantations suitable for elephants, aiming to reduce their reliance on agricultural lands.