Human life at risk, govt must tackle elephant menace: LH

Lotha Hoho (LH) has expressed deep sorrow and strongly condemned the tragic death of a 72-year-old farmer, Late Rentsamo Odyuo, who was trampled to death by a wild elephant at New Riphyim village, Wokha district on August 2.
LH described the incident as not only heartbreaking but a stark reminder of the escalating human-elephant conflict in the region. It said the recurring threat had disrupted the lives and livelihood of villagers, while terming the absence of effective long-term mitigation measures as a serious lapse on the part of the concerned department.
LH cautioned the state government that continued negligence in addressing the crisis would lead to further tragedies. The hoho stated that human life was irreplaceable and that safety measures must be taken to ensure human life and normal activities were not put at risk. In this regard, LH urged the state government and the concerned department to urgently: initiate sustainable and community-inclusive strategies to mitigate human-elephant conflict; deploy rapid response teams and early warning systems in vulnerable areas; grant all standing ex-gratia and compensatory benefits to the bereaved family of Late Rentsamo Odyuo; and provide long-term support to the families affected by human-wildlife conflict.
It also demanded upgrading the office of the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Doyang to a Wildlife Range or Wildlife Division, citing that Wokha district has recorded the highest frequency of human-wildlife conflict in the State.
LH further demanded that at least half of the Forest Guards currently being recruited be deployed in Wokha district.
Meanwhile, LH conveyed its solidarity with the grieving family and the people of New Riphyim village and urged the authorities to act with compassion, urgency, and foresight to prevent further loss of life.