By the Editor
On August 15, a herd of wild elephants entered Kurung village, Pendaldoba in Garo Hills in search of food and started destroying huts and charging headlong at anyone in sight trampling three villagers to death. Elephants are the largest land animals in the world weighing 5 or 6 tons and their legs are like pillars. They possess enormous strength, are highly intelligent and adaptable and are gentle creatures. Elephants always travel in groups varying from 10-20 and up to 50 or more. Though they are huge yet they are gentle and tamable. For thousands of years they were used as riding and work animals and in ancient times elephants were often used in battles. They have good memories and seldom forget a trick or command once they learn it. Though it can run very fast up to 25 miles an hour yet it cannot jump at all. They survive on green leaves and foliage and during the dry season they migrate into forest areas and stay close to good supply of water. Once rain starts falling they wander out into grassy plains and the leader of the herd is usually a wise old female elephant. Young males also travel with the herd but adults prefer to travel alone. Many live apart from the herd but visit it frequently as if to renew their acquaintance and friendship
According to the latest census conducted in 2017, the population of elephants in Meghalaya was 1700 which is quite reasonable. Humans and elephants usually live side by side and learn to respect each other. But due to increase in human population people encroach into their territory to exploit the land for growing more food and so come into conflict which is becoming cause of concern to their existence. While, comparatively, elephant population is quite reasonable in the state but because of its huge size an elephant requires ample space, food and water supply. As human settlements increase so also agricultural activities expand resulting in high competition for resources leading to conflict which usually ends disastrously. Some elephants from Assam have also been detected entering Meghalaya and the reverse is not ruled out either.
In order to mitigate conflicts, the wildlife department has taken several steps, one of which is bio- fencing which is quite vital. Under this method, several honey bee boxes have been placed all along the fence where there are high probabilities of human- elephant conflict. It has been observed that giant mammals are sensitive to these tiny creatures because they might enter inside their trunks and bite them. They are also scared that tiny bees might enter their eyes and the mere buzzing of bees seems to irritate them. Hence elephants will usually avoid places where bees abound. Scientists have always insisted that the existence of humans also depends on the existence of animals. It is highly essential therefore that humans protect animals by resorting to proper and friendly methods and also avoid senseless killing of the species.