New Delhi: A herd of six elephants, including a calf, ventured into the Bangladesh territory through the Sunamganj’s Tahirpur Upazila during the early hours of Sunday, February 06, 2022. However, the herd returned to India on Monday, February 07, 2022.
Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Officer in the Sunamganj Forest Department, Mahmudul Haque Khan, confirmed the developments and said, “The herd entered Bangladesh around 02:00 am on Sunday and strolled from Tila area to Maharam Tila under Bardhal Uttar union of the Upazila.”
The officials alerted the bordering villages, with the help of the forest department, and advised them to light fire torches and stay cautious. The herd caused no damage whatsoever.
The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) officials communicated with the Border Security Force (BSF) to switch off the flashlights on the Indian side, when elephants reached near the zero point on the border around 09:30 pm on Monday,” the Assistant Conservator of Forests, Arun Baran Chowdhury, said.
According to the officials, the herd crossed the border and entered India safely around 11:45 pm on Monday, February 07, 2022. “We ensured safety for the elephants as well as the locals. We are happy that they left unharmed,” Khan added.
A herd of four elephants had entered Bangladesh through the same region on November 14, 2021, and returned to India within two days. However, the Sherpur, Chattogram, and Cox’s Bazar districts of Bangladesh witnessed elephant killings last year. Nearly eight elephants were electrocuted and shot dead in the regions in November 2021.
(Avya Mathur)