Elephant menace and solar light thefts spark calls for action in Rani
Residents in the greater Rani area report crop damage by wild elephants and the theft of solar street lights.
Residents of the greater Rani area are facing a growing wild elephant menace and the theft of solar street lights, according to The Assam Tribune.
Wild elephants damaged two solar lights near Nalapara High School and the road to the Nalapara public cremation ground on a recent night.
Local residents have handed over the damaged lights to the Nalapara beat office under the Rani forest range.
Theft of solar lights has also been reported along the road connecting Garopara to Nalapara, where several lights were stolen within months of installation.
Wild elephant herds have been entering agricultural fields and human habitations, causing damage to crops and property from Patgaon to Sukurberiya.
Affected villages include Bikrampur, Challi, Pukhuripar, Pat Halodhiya, Sesa, Garopara, Nalapara, Ganapati, Manikpur, Jaypur, Udaypur, Khapegaon, Puran Shukurbariya, Natun Rani, Mairapur Patgaon, Andherijuli and Sajjanpara.
Locals alleged that the Rani forest range authorities have failed to take timely measures, and they are seeking urgent intervention to protect livelihoods and public infrastructure.