AGARTALA, June 13 (TIWN): In the past three years, at least five villagers were trampled to death by wild elephants in different tribal hamlets under Teliamura Forest Division comprising five Forest Ranges.

Besides human casualties, as many as 40 dwellers huts were floored by the ‘angry’ jumbos in different tribal hamlets- Swpnabari, Krishanapur, Nabanjoypara, Uttar Maharani and Oakingpara.

The herd of jumbos have also destroyed crops covering several acres were destroyed in these localites, according to official sources.

Villagers from Ramkrishnapur, Jhumbari and Swapnabari are virtually spending sleepless night over the upward trend in the attacks by jumbos. On the other hand, wild jumbos are also facing tough time as three elephants killed in two separate mishaps during the period.

According to latest report, the number of elephants has been reduced from 22 to 19 during the period but the forest department could reveal the exact number of wild animals moving around Atharamura Hill range. However, there is no report of poaching of elephants in the state.

According to Forest department officials, the natural habitations for elephants have been severely affected due to rampant tree felling even in Reserved Forest (RF) areas prompting jumbos to come of the usual habitations in search of food and shelter.

“The distribution of pattas under the Forest Dwellers Right Act has also its negative impact because patta holders have been cutting tree and clearing bushes for establishing their bases as well as jhum cultivation. This kind of unscientific activities on the RF land should be stopped immediately”, said a Forest department official here today.

He said the department has engaged some local youth chase away the wild jumbos to their natural habitations. “But these all are contingency plan. Two elephant reserves are in the pipeline and hopefully they will give a new lease of life to the jumbos”, he added.