Wild elephant attacks have increased in Nalitabari, Sherpur. For about a month, herds of wild elephants have been rampaging through Boro paddy fields in the hilly areas of Poragaon, Nayabil and Ramchandrakura unions of the upazila. Fearing the elephants, farmers have begun cutting half-ripe paddy to save their crop.

On the hill slopes of Burunga Kalapani village in Poragaon union, men and women farmers were seen cutting half-ripe Boro paddy in groups.

Farmers said about 40 to 50 wild elephants come down to the Boro fields every late afternoon in search of food, eating the paddy and trampling it. This has made the harvest uncertain, so they have begun cutting paddy in at-risk areas where it has started to ripen.

Abdul Kadir, a marginal farmer of Burunga village, told Jago News: "I planted Boro on 75 decimals of land on the hill slope. Now I am unsure whether I will get the paddy home. The elephants come down from the hills and destroy it. So, out of fear, I am cutting the half-ripe paddy to secure food and recover my costs."

Abdul Jalil, a farmer from the same area, said: "Staying awake all night chasing elephants disturbs our sleep, so we cannot work properly during the day."

Farmer Ratna Akter voiced the same worry. "The elephants used to come into the Boro fields at night. Now they come by day as well and eat the paddy. They are no longer afraid of anything and heed no obstacle. For fear of them, we sit up at night with our small children and cannot sleep properly."

Aynal Haque, another farmer of the area, said: "Wild elephants have flattened two of my houses. I have received no compensation."

Dewan Ali, range officer of the Madhutila forest range under the Mymensingh Forest Department, said a list of farmers affected by wild elephants is being drawn up, and farmers will be compensated after investigation.

Nalitabari Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdul Wadud, an agriculturist, said: "The rule is to harvest paddy when it is 80 per cent ripe. But wild elephants are rampaging in the hill areas, so farmers there are being advised to cut the paddy even if it is 60 per cent ripe. That way they can at least secure the year's food and recover their costs."

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Farzana Akter Bobi said wild elephant raids in the Garo hills are a long-standing problem, and the necessary steps will be taken after discussion with higher authorities. She said the government is paying compensation through the Forest Department after listing affected farmers.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.