Three weeks after a devastating natural disaster, the once-lush grasslands of Jaldapara National Park in West Bengal's Alipurduar district have been reduced to barren fields of silt mixed with dolomite, sparking a severe food crisis for the park’s wildlife. Forest officials warn that fresh grass will not grow for at least three months, raising fears of escalating human-wildlife conflicts.
Jaldapara National Park hosts roughly 200 elephants, 330 rhinos, and over 4,000 bison and deer.
“With their primary food sources destroyed by silt deposits ranging from one to one-and-a-half feet, these animals are venturing into nearby villages in search of sustenance. Our sources report nightly movements of elephants into Madarihat, Hashimara, Banarhat and surrounding villages, leading to crop destruction and occasional loss of life,” a forest department official said.
A stray elephant attack in Madarihat recently claimed the lives of a woman and three others, including a child, sparking panic and anger among locals.
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Jaldapara Divisional Forest Officer Praveen Kaswan said, “There is no food in the Jaldapara forest. Wild animals are coming to the locality in search of food. We will have to wait until new grass grows. The next three months will be very difficult. Everyone has to be careful.”
Officials highlighted the dramatic change in the landscape after the disaster. Areas once green and thriving now resemble rocky, grey wastelands. River-borne dolomite mixed with sand has completely stifled the growth of grass, they explained.
Surrounding farmlands, cultivating rice, corn, and other grains, have become a target for hungry elephants. “When one group of elephants is driven away, another group enters,” forest officials said. The department warns that rhinos and bison may also begin venturing into villages along elephant trails if the crisis persists.
Authorities have launched an awareness campaign, urging villagers to avoid venturing out at night and to report elephant movements immediately.
Forest officials remain hopeful that greenery will eventually return but stress the need for patience. “Both people and animals will have to be patient until the forest regenerates,” another official said, emphasising vigilance over the coming months.
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