The government is actively working to reach a permanent solution to prevent people from elephant attacks in Sherpur area, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, on Monday.

Speaking at a cheque distribution event in Madhutila Ecopark in Sherpur area, she urged the people to keep patience and emphasised the need to restore natural forests and protect elephant habitats as part of a sustainable resolution to this end.

“Humans are occupying the elephants’ natural habitats, leading to a decrease in their food resources. Instead of planting eucalyptus and other foreign species, we must plant native trees that provide food for elephants,” she said.

She further emphasised, “The lives of elephants are as important as human lives. We must restore our forests. The government is not an adversary, but a supporter. If natural forests are destroyed, we too will suffer. We must replace commercial tree plantations with natural forests.”

She instructed the district administration and forest department to jointly prepare an integrated action plan to resolve the conflict sustainably.

The event was presided over by Chief Conservator of Forests Amir Hossain Chowdhury, while the keynote speaker was internationally renowned wildlife expert Prof Mohammad Ali Reza Khan.

Also present were Sherpur Deputy Commissioner Torafdar Mahmudur Rahman, Conservator of Forests of the Central Region A.S.M. Zahid Uddin Akon, and Conservator of Forests for Wildlife and Nature Conservation Md. Sanaullah Patwari, BGB Commander Lt. Col. Tanvir Hossain Majumder, and ERT members Imtiaz Ali and Mohammad Hasmat Ali.

During the event, the advisor also handed over a total of Tk 600,000 to the families of two individuals killed by elephants and Tk 327,000 to 15 families for crop and property damaged by the elephants.

Additionally, she distributed binoculars, torch lights, hand mics, whistles and other essential gear among the members of the Elephant Response Team (ERT).

Earlier, the advisor visited the Daudhara Garo Hills Tourist Centre in Nalitabari upazila and the long-term plantation project under Madhutila Range for the fiscal year 2017–18.

It is worth mentioning that since 2014, compensation totalling Tk 9.1 million has been provided to the families of 45 deceased individuals, Tk 1.041 million to 34 injured persons and Tk 16.884 million to 906 families for crop and property damage.

In total, Tk 27.025 million has been disbursed to 985 affected individuals.