Dibrugarh: For residents of Bordoibam village in Assam’s Dibrugarh district, daily life has become increasingly difficult as they face two persistent threats, riverbank erosion and frequent incursions by wild elephants from the nearby Dehing-Medela Reserve Forest.
Located under Khowang constituency, about 22 km from Dibrugarh town, Bordoibam and neighbouring Moina Miri Gaon in the Lezai area have been affected by human-elephant conflict for several years.
Residents said elephant herds frequently enter the villages and nearby agricultural fields, particularly during the winter months, in search of food. The animals often destroy standing crops, causing significant financial losses to local farmers.
“We are caught between two problems. On one side, erosion is taking away our land, while on the other, wild elephants threaten our lives and livelihoods. Several people from our village have been killed by elephants, but no effective measures have been taken to address the problem,” said Bordoibam resident Hitesh Gogoi.
According to villagers, the elephants emerge from the Dehing-Medela Reserve Forest and move towards nearby settlements and farmland, sometimes coming dangerously close to homes.
“The situation becomes worse during winter when the elephants enter the village looking for crops. It has become a major concern for us,” said another resident, Sumitra Changmai.
The villagers also remain wary of encounters with wild buffaloes, which they say have previously resulted in fatalities and posed a continuing threat to people working in agricultural areas.
Dilip Mili, 55, of Moina Miri Gaon, said an elephant herd destroyed around five bighas of his farmland last year. He claimed that he has yet to receive compensation for the crop and property loss.
“Elephants come out of the nearby forest and damage our homes and agricultural land. Last year, my five bighas of cropland were destroyed, but I have not received any compensation,” Mili said.
The threat of wildlife has also affected Mili’s family personally. He said his father was killed in an attack by a wild buffalo in 2001 while he had gone to inspect their farmland.
Villagers said repeated crop losses have further weakened their already vulnerable livelihoods. They are seeking prompt compensation for agricultural losses and long-term measures to minimise encounters between people and wildlife.
Residents have called for greater coordination between the forest department and local administration to protect communities while ensuring the safety and conservation of wildlife.
They fear that without sustained intervention, erosion and recurring elephant incursions will continue to threaten the lives, homes and livelihoods of people living in the area.