Human-elephant conflict has reached a severe level in the Garo Hills area along the Sherpur border as herds of wild elephants continue to enter farmlands in search of food, causing widespread damage to crops and property.

The situation becomes particularly serious during the Aman and Boro rice ripening seasons, as well as when jackfruit and bananas are ready for harvest.

According to the Forest Department and local sources, the crisis has been driven by deforestation, food shortages in the hills and disruption to traditional elephant movement corridors.

Residents said the bordering villages in Nalitabari, Jhenaigati and Sreebardi upazilas are the worst affected. During the day, elephant herds take shelter in deep forest along the Bangladesh-India border.

However, at night, they enter villages in groups and raid paddy fields, banana orchards and jackfruit gardens.

Locals have tried to drive them away using torches, tin cans and firecrackers, but in some cases the elephants have become aggressive and caused extensive damage to crops and houses within hours.

Forest Department data shows that at least 35 people have been killed and more than 200 injured in elephant attacks in the Sherpur region over the past decade. On the other hand, several elephants have also died due to electrocution, traps and retaliatory attacks by locals.

At least 32 wild elephants have died in the Sherpur, Jamalpur and Netrokona regions of the Mymensingh forest division in the past nine years, most due to illegal electric traps and gunfire.

Officials, however, said the elephant population in the Garo Hills has increased in recent years. While earlier 100-120 elephants were commonly seen in the area, the number is now estimated to have risen to around 170-180 due to natural breeding. In the past few years, at least 50 elephant calves have been born in the region.

Environmentalists say the conflict will not ease unless elephant corridors are restored and adequate food and water sources are ensured in the forested hill areas.