Guwahati, 28 December (HS):

The year 2025 witnessed alarming instances of human–wildlife conflict in Assam, particularly involving wild elephants, resulting in significant loss of both human lives and wildlife across the State.

According to available data, a total of 17 people lost their lives in elephant attacks in Golaghat and Tamulpur districts alone. Of these, 11 deaths were reported from Tamulpur, while six occurred in Golaghat district.

On February 13, an elderly woman, Satyabati Basumatary, was killed in a wild elephant attack at Banagaon village under Gossaigaon. Another tragic incident occurred on February 24 in the same area, where a teenage girl, Phunja Musahary, was killed in a similar attack.

On May 16, a 53-year-old man, Ashok Das, died after being attacked by a wild elephant in the Palashbari area of Kamrup district. Later, on August 4, a wild elephant attack in Bagribari village under the Mazbat area claimed the life of 42-year-old Labanya Boro, while four others sustained injuries.

One of the most tragic wildlife incidents of the year occurred on December 20, when a Mizoram–New Delhi Rajdhani Express collided with a herd of elephants between Kampur and Jamunamukh railway stations in Nagaon district under the Lumding Division. Seven elephants, including three calves, were killed on the spot. Another calf later succumbed to injuries, taking the total elephant death toll in the incident to eight.

On December 25, another fatal elephant attack was reported from North Maligaon under Serfanguri police station area, near Jwalao National Park in Kokrajhar district. In the incident, Danda Narzary was killed, while Sanjit Narzary was seriously injured.

Overall, during the year 2025, Assam recorded the deaths of approximately 71 people and 41 elephants due to human–elephant conflict, highlighting the growing challenge of balancing wildlife conservation with human safety in the State.------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash