In recent days, the human-elephant conflict in Chakaria, Cox’s Bazar, has intensified, leading to the deaths of both people and elephants. While wild elephants continue to attack villagers, some elephants are dying after being electrocuted by traps set in the forest. Within the past week alone, two people have been killed in separate incidents in Surajpur-Manikpur and Fashiakhali unions.
A community meeting was held with residents of the Surajpur-Manikpur area to reduce conflict, raise awareness, and preserve the natural habitat and food sources of wild elephants.
The awareness meeting, organized by Chakaria Police Station, took place on Monday (April 14) afternoon at Madhyam Surajpur Primary School in Ward-9 of Surajpur-Manikpur Union.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) Mohammad Shafiqul Islam of Chakaria Police Station attended the meeting as the chief guest.
He emphasized the need to reduce dependency on forests for livelihood, especially in areas adjacent to elephant habitats. “Residents must learn strategies to avoid encounters with wild elephants. Elephant corridors should be kept open and undisturbed, as these animals tend to follow fixed routes at fixed times. We should plan our activities accordingly,” he said.
The OC also stressed the importance of ensuring food sources for wild elephants deep inside the forest. “If the forest department takes greater responsibility, and if these considerations are taken seriously, we can prevent future human deaths from elephant attacks and eliminate the conflict altogether,” he added.
Officials from the Fashiakhali Forest Division, local union parishad members, respected community leaders, and people from various walks of life attended the meeting.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report/Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Courtesy
