Pachyderm kills villager in Arunachal

Itanagar, Dec 05: In yet another incident of man-elephant conflict, a lone makhna, suspected to be injured, killed a villager at the Khondakhowa forest area under Banderdewa forest division, 30 kms from here.

A forest officials said here today that one Pasang Tafar of Banderdewa had entered around one km inside the reserve forest on December three.

Later, his motorcycle was found abandoned near the jungle and the completely mutilated body was recovered from inside the jungle.

Quoting villagers, the forest official informed that a lone tusker, with a slightly injured leg, was noticed by the villagers in the area.

The pachyderm might have turned aggressive owing to his injuries, the official added.

He, however, cautioned the villagers not to venture into the forest areas in Khondakhowa, Nawbhanga, Durpong and Sonajuli, where the elephant was on the prowl.

This is the second attack by an elephant this year and the sixth in a span of three years under the Banderdewa forest division, the official added.

Animal experts stated that the increasing traffic movement along the NH 52A, which criss-crossed and disturbed the recognised elephant corridor, as well as encroachment of reserve forest areas, was the principal cause for such conflicts.

UNI