Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing

An elephant has been causing havoc in Mecheytar village of Norbugang gewog in Samtse.

Recently, along with areca nut trees, the elephant also damaged a Maruti van.

According to the residents, the elephant has been hiding along the Jogidara area near the border for six to seven months causing them distress and damaging crops.

Residents claim the same elephant has damaged 76 areca nut trees and more than 1,000 banana trees from the van owner’s three-acre farm.

A resident, Karma Wangzin, said the elephant was there since the paddy harvest time in 2021.

“It has damaged crops and areca nut trees of many farmers.”

He said they chased away the elephant only few days ago.

“People are getting discouraged. Some are even planning not to cultivate paddy this year. Something must be done.”

Another farmer, Hari Uraon, said his cornfields were completely marauded.

The Maruti van owner, Karma Norbu, said he didn’t get compensation for the damages.

Meanwhile, people are saying constructing a wall will only save their farmland from the elephant.

“It is that same elephant that has been causing such problem,” Hari Uraon said, adding that is also very risky. “It attacks people when we flash torchlight.”

Villagers in Mecheytar are worried.

Although the lone elephant has been chased away now, a different herd has appeared in Diana area.