Three Indian Bisons create terror in villages of Manas National Park in Baksa, Five persons injured

A Correspondent

PATHSALA: At a time when the human-wildlife conflict is on the rise in the State, especially in areas near forests, three Indian Bisons (Bos gaurus) are creating havoc near the villages of Manas National Park in Baksa and Barpeta districts.

According to reports, three Indian Bisons have created terror in the villages, roaming on the roads and injuring people. People have reportedly seen these animals in the villages of Sukilarpar and Batiyamari in Bajali subdivision of Barpeta district and Sastar, Silbari of Baska district. The bison roaming in Sukilarpar has been tranquilized by the forest officials and members of the Manas Maozigendri Ecotourism Society. The forest officials from Bhuyapara range and Bansbari range, police and CRPF personnel are constantly trying to push back the animals to the forest.

Till now the bisons have injured five people, including one forest personnel. The injured are Kalicharan Kalita (50), Tarani Kalita (48), Sanatan Kalita (40) and Rajnath Kalita. Out of them, Tarani Kalita’s condition is critical and has been referred to Barpeta Medical College and Hospital. One forest personnel named Lachit Basumatary was also injured in Sastar village while trying to control the animal.

Later, the bison roaming in Sastar was tranquillized at Bunmaza village of Baksa district. Moreover, another bison ran out to the west side of Batiamari village by crossing the River Pahumara. Forest staff, as well as NGO volunteers, are trying to tranquilize this rhino.

According to forest officials, these months are the mating season for the bisons and it is possible that the animals have come this far for mating. The Indian Bison has been listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List since 1986 and it is only found in South and Southeast Asia. They are among the largest living land animals on earth.

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