Jalpaiguri, 02nd June: The residents of the Nathua Char area of the Barapatia Gram Panchayat under the Jalpaiguri Sadar block staged a road blockade at the Bodaganj-Gajoldoba road protesting against the wild elephant havoc in the area.
According to reports, the location of Nathua Char situated along the banks of the Teesta River adjacent to the Baikunthapur Forest is home to several villages where locals engage in vegetable farming for their livelihood. However, the frequent intrusion and rampage caused by the wild elephants have constantly ruined their efforts and destroyed their cultivation.
The frequent invasion of the elephant herd and destruction of local houses has left the residents in distress. Meanwhile, the forest officials have not undertaken any initiative to resolve the matter. As a result, the locals voiced their frustration in the road blockade. They further accused the forest administration of not responding to their grievances.
Meanwhile, Belakoba Range Officer Chiranjit Pal promptly arrived at the scene upon receiving reports of the incident. He assured to increase patrolling with the aid of the locals and arrange for fencing to be installed on the edge of the forest. Following this, the villagers relented and lifted the blockade.
