Wild elephants destroy crops, property in Old Aree village

WOKHA — Farmers in Old Aree village under Sungro range, Wokha district, are facing distress after wild elephants destroyed their crops and property between December 5 and the 7th.

A sugarcane farm belonging to Wodemo Kikon was vandalised, with the elephants consuming standing sugarcane, destroying his hut, and damaging machinery.

Sources confirmed that a herd of elephants has been stationed in the locality for several months, and a new calf was reportedly born in the vicinity.

Kikon had cultivated sugarcane for jaggery processing for 3-4 years, with a good yield last year.

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Cassava plants belonging to another farmer were also completely damaged by the herd. Villagers informed that the elephants are still present in the area, leaving them fearful of returning to their farms. A late report of the damage was also conveyed by villagers, who stated that no one is willing to go back to their respective farms due to the continued presence of wild elephants.

Farmers of Old Aree village have appealed to the concerned department to assess the damage and provide fair compensation, stating that farming is their only source of livelihood and their families are entirely dependent on it.