The challenges to human-wildlife coexistence has taken a toll on Assam’s rich fauna, which is dwindling fast. If experts are to be believed, doomsday for Guwahati’s wildlife population is only 10 years away unless remedial steps are taken without delay. According to field-level officials of Assam Forest Department, no effort has been made to develop a “strength, weakness, opportunity, threat framework” required for planning wildlife conservation in and around Guwahati city.
For a city which takes pride in 11 reserve forests — one of the highest urban wildlife concentrations in the world — there is no written plan till now for its management.
More than 40 elephants have been killed in Assam in the past three years. Poisoning, electrocution, illegal hunting, and last but not least, train accidents have been the cause.
