Narrating a Tale of Human and Animal Conflict
Does earth belong to humans alone?
My first very close encounter with that magnifying creature was during a night in the summer, when I was a teenager, around 13 years old. The villagers, as usual, finished their dinner and were fast asleep. They had no clue that the night would be a nightmare, especially for Jessie (name changed) and her family.
It was around 2.30 am. I found my ears hearing the sound of crowds, screaming and shouting, “hathi, hathi" . It was not an unusual sound because it happens frequently at the time of harvest. It is said that during summer, the smell of ripe jackfruits, sugarcanes, and bamboo shoots attracts elephants. Country alcohol attracts them too. So, probably any of these have attracted the herd.
My father was already awake by then, taking rounds all around the campus with his halogen torchlight, especially purchased to look for elephants in the dark. He identified that a few elephants had trespassed on our neighbour’s campus, and were munching sugarcane. My grandmother and my father decided to take a call. They woke us up. My grandmother grabbed my younger sister, my elder sister, and I followed my father, and we ran towards the highway. I was half asleep and wasn’t aware of what was happening, but after reaching the highway, I could see hundreds of my villagers there.
They were all furious. Some of them were talking about the group of brave men who had gone to chase away the herd. Some said that the herd had splited, which means they can appear anywhere, anything can happen. Fear ran through my spine, and I felt so helpless. I noticed my grandmother tightly grabbing my sister and chanting, “Hail Mary full of grace, the lord is with you, blessed are you.” (The Rosary).
The brave men, who recruited themselves to chase the herd, were unsuccessful in their attempt. Their weapons, i.e. fire, halogen torches, making loud sounds, firecrackers, sharp long sticks, did not succeed. They finally had to approach the forest guards, who, with their guns, finally managed to chase the herd away.
I, along with my family, relieved, walked down the highway towards my home. The following day, I woke up to hear the horrible story of Jessie’s mother. What happened was, after all the villagers had
left, she was still standing on the highway, alone, doing what? God alone knows!! She was standing right next to the bamboo bush, and elephants are fond of bamboo shoots. A single elephant after munching the bamboo shoots might have taken her life. Her body was found folded, breathlessly lying down. It looked like her spinal cord broke into two. Huge footprints surrounded her body. Probably she was pressed to death.
Human and animal conflicts have been prevalent from the beginning of human civilization, and tales of animals attacking humans or vice-versa run through every culture. When it comes to elephants alone, tales of their valour, loyalty, courage, and compassion for their fellow companions run throughout every tongue. Stories of our ancestors also pass down skills for survival, which can also help in co-existence. The animal usually comes down from nearby hills and forests in search of food, it can also be cooked food in the kitchen. Stories of them vandalising homes after consuming the edibles available in the house are so common.
Some say an elephant’s placenta can keep them away. It is usually said an elephant never goes to the place where a calf was born. So, keeping a piece of their placenta can prevent them from coming near to your house or locality. While some say, digging deep water-logging canals all around your home can prevent them from coming.
The issue of human and animal conflict is strongly linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) yet goes underrated and overlooked. I do not know what exactly works, but my heart always goes out to the creature whose very intention is to feed their stomach, to survive.
Does the earth belong to human alone..?
Does life mean human alone ??
