As India enters day 30 of lockdown, Human wildlife conflict escalates in Assam

The countrywide lockdown amid the novel coronavirus outbreak in India has caused a major paradigm shift, registering a surge in Human wildlife conflict in Assam.

Guwahati: Despite nationwide lockdown imposed in view of COVID-19 outbreak, the conflict between villagers and wildlife animals in Assam haven't come to a resolve, a source said on Friday.

Four individuals of the state have been reportedly found trampled by a herd of elephants since March 25. However, two elephants were also killed in the conflict.

According to the sources, several other species of wild animals were also killed by hunters to be consumed as food items.

Wildlife conservation organization, Aaranyak chief, Dr Bibhab Talukdar said that while most of the people have decided to stay indoors given the coronavirus lockdown in force, some other people have taken this period as an opportunity to kill animals in different parts of the state.

"Four humans were killed in conflict with elephants during this period. On the other hand, two elephants have also been killed in conflict with humans, both incidents are a matter of concern," he added.

Talukdar further explained that there have been reports of wild animals venturing out on the streets, getting into human's colony and troubling people.

"The wild animals seem to have been enjoying their 'freedom' during this lockdown period. However, it is a matter of concern that some humans have taken this opportunity to kill the animals for consuming meat," he said while appealing everyone to maintain restraints.

Further, sources say, the officials of the Kaziranga National Park have foiled at least two attempts of the poachers to kill the one-horned rhinos during the lockdown period.

"In Nagaland, some young lads went inside the forest and killed animals for food, the video of which had gone viral on social media. I am told that four such youth have been arrested by Nagaland police for committing the crime," said Talukdar.

According to official statistics, 1,169 incidents of human-elephant conflict have been reported in the state considering the last five years. In 2019 alone 62 elephants were killed in conflict with humans in Assam while 63 people died in different parts of the state due to the similar conflicts.