In the Gajni hill slopes of Jhenaigati upazila under Sherpur district, farmers are being compelled to harvest Boro paddy prematurely due to the movement of wild elephant herds in the adjacent forest areas. The situation has disrupted normal harvesting schedules and raised concerns over potential yield losses.
Rajib Koch (48), a resident of Gandigaon village, cultivated Boro paddy on 60 decimals of land in the Gajni hill area at a cost of BDT 16,000. The crop had reached only the ripening stage and required an additional 15 to 20 days to mature fully. However, due to the presence of wild elephants in the nearby forest, he has hired six labourers on a daily contract of BDT 700 each to harvest the crop immediately.
Rajib Koch works as an auto-rickshaw driver and supports his household, which includes his wife and two sons, through both farming and driving. He cultivates small plots primarily to meet his family’s food requirements.
Speaking near the harvested paddy bundles beside the border road on Saturday afternoon, he said there was no alternative, as elephant herds were present in the hills and leaving the crop standing would likely result in complete destruction within a single night. He noted that several nearby fields had already been damaged by elephants, forcing him to harvest even immature paddy.
This concern is shared by hundreds of farmers across the border-adjacent areas of Sribardi, Jhenaigati, and Nalitabari upazilas. In the past week alone, wild elephants have damaged approximately five acres of paddy belonging to 20 to 25 farmers in the Gajni, Gandigaon, and Bankakura areas of Jhenaigati by consuming and trampling crops.
Reported crop damage (past week)
| Location | Affected farmers | Estimated land affected | Type of damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gajni | Multiple | Part of 5 acres total | Trampling and feeding |
| Gandigaon | Several | Included above | Partial damage |
| Bankakura | Several | Included above | Partial damage |
According to Forest Department official Salehin Nawaz of the Gajni Beat, a herd of approximately 40 to 45 elephants, including around 15 calves, has been moving through Jhenaigati over the past week. The herd has recently moved towards the Samshchura forest area in Nalitabari.
Agricultural office data shows that a total of 8,857 hectares of land has been brought under Boro cultivation in the border areas of the three upazilas this season. This includes 4,501 hectares in Sribardi, 2,240 hectares in Jhenaigati, and 2,116 hectares in Nalitabari. Most of the paddy fields are currently in the ripening stage and require an additional 20 to 25 days to reach full maturity.
Due to the fear of elephant incursions, farmers are harvesting earlier than planned, raising concerns over reduced yields. Farmer Lal Krishna Koch (37) from Gandigaon stated that elephants destroyed his one-acre paddy field over two nights. He has submitted an application to the Forest Department seeking compensation.
Field observations across Balijuri, Kharamura, Tawakucha, Gajni, Rangtia, Samshchura, Madhutila, and Baromari villages indicate that harvesting activities are ongoing across varying crop stages, including unripe, semi-ripe, and fully matured paddy.
Local farmer Ajantha Sangma (50) in Gajni noted that harvesting has been advanced due to the presence of elephants in the hills, as delaying could result in total crop loss. Similarly, Mohammad Hanif Mia (55) of Samshchura stated that farmers have no choice but to harvest early when herds of 40 to 45 elephants enter farmland areas.
Samshchura Beat official Mohammad Kawsar reported that the elephant herd is currently located in the Samshchura and Batkuchi forest areas. Monitoring efforts are ongoing through an Elephant Response Team and local community watch groups to prevent the animals from entering residential or cultivated areas.
Mymensingh Forest Division Gajni Beat official Mohammad Toheidul Islam stated that approximately 20 to 25 farmers have suffered crop losses over the past week, affecting nearly five acres of cultivated land. Farmers have been advised to apply for compensation, with five applications already submitted. The Forest Department continues to maintain vigilance regarding both crop protection and elephant movement.