The Alipurduar-bound highway in North Bengal was bustling with its usual flurry of activity yesterday morning. It got heightened by the heavy rain that had enveloped the area. Amidst this routine, however, a rare and delightful spectacle unfolded before the eyes of travellers and commuters alike. An elephant, seemingly enchanted by the weather, ventured out from the dense jungle bordering the highway. The sight of the animal treading cautiously onto the road caught everyone by surprise. Its playful demeanour was evident as it wandered about, occasionally pausing to revel in the rain showers. The scene unfolded slowly, with the elephant exploring its newfound territory, perhaps fueled by curiosity or simply enjoying the sensation of the raindrops against its thick hide. Vehicles came to a standstill as people watched in silence, respecting the natural grace of the elephant as it navigated the unfamiliar terrain.
This behaviour continued for about an hour, captivating onlookers who chose not to approach the elephant out of caution. Despite the interruption, drivers and passengers enjoyed watching the elephant’s playful interaction with the rain. Once the elephant retreated into the jungle, traffic resumed its normal flow on the highway.
This pleasant encounter with an elephant comes just a month after a way more tragic and fatal encounter in the same city of Alipurduar. On June 5, a 75-year-old man named Amal Karji, a resident of Sibnathpur was killed after being attacked by a wild elephant.
According to reports, Amal Karji left his residence and encountered a wild tusker, which attacked and fatally injured him with its tusk. This incident stirred anger among local residents who are concerned about frequent damages caused by elephant herds in the area.The locals have expressed frustration over elephants frequently leaving the forest and entering their community in search of food. As a result, these herds have caused substantial crop damage and posed fatal risks to residents.
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