West Bengal Elephant Deaths: Human-elephant conflict has become a serious problem in West Bengal as forests shrink and human settlements continue to grow. Roads, railway tracks, tea gardens and other construction projects are also affecting the natural routes used by elephants.
A joint study by the Project Elephant division of the Union Environment Ministry and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has recorded the scale of this problem between 2000 and 2025. During these 25 years, elephant attacks and related incidents killed 1,761 people and injured another 298. The conflict also resulted in the deaths of 753 elephants.
The report covers 36 forest divisions and identifies the main causes, affected areas and seasons when these incidents are more common.
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North Bengal faces serious problems because elephant routes pass through forests, tea gardens, railway tracks and villages in the Dooars region. Rajabhatkhawa in Alipurduar recorded 141 human-elephant conflict incidents and 18 elephant deaths. Other elephant death hotspots include Raidak, Banarhat and Haldibari tea estates, with eight deaths each.
South Bengal also faces frequent incidents as elephants move between West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha. Bankura, Jhargram and Paschim Medinipur are among the affected areas. Other locations with elephant deaths include Kadmagarh, Sukhanibasti, Targhera and Chhota Bainan.
The highest number of incidents takes place during the monsoon. The study recorded 685 cases between June and September, compared with 533 in winter, 476 in summer and 365 during autumn. Dense vegetation and paddy farming bring people and elephants closer during this period.
Of the 753 elephant deaths, 508 were linked to natural causes such as old age, disease, hunger, dehydration, lightning, drowning and fights between elephants. The remaining 245 were linked to human activities and dangerous infrastructure.
Electrocution was the biggest human-related threat, killing 111 elephants. Low power lines and illegal electric connections used to protect crops are major reasons. Train accidents killed another 93 elephants. Poaching caused 31 deaths, poisoning six and road accidents three. One elephant died in a direct human attack, while the cause of 88 deaths couldn’t be clearly identified.
The deaths included 133 adult males, 100 adult females, 40 male and 38 female sub-adults, 32 juveniles and 17 calves.
Men also faced greater danger, accounting for 1,554 of the 2,059 people killed or injured. Women accounted for 505 cases. Night-time crop protection, firewood collection and livestock grazing increase people’s exposure to elephants.
The study links the growing conflict to shrinking forests and expanding human settlements. Forest cover in West Bengal has reportedly fallen by 15.3% over 25 years, while settlements and urban areas have grown by 30.5%.
Elephants are now finding it harder to reach their usual food and water sources. They often enter farms looking for paddy, maize and sugarcane. This damages crops and creates fear among villagers. Adult male elephants are particularly exposed because they often travel alone over long distances.
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The study recommends better safety arrangements around railway tracks and electricity lines. Sensor-based systems could detect elephant movements and alert train drivers and railway control rooms. Safe crossing points and underpasses are also needed along important elephant routes.
Other suggested measures include repairing low-hanging wires, removing illegal electrical connections, using solar-powered fencing, installing cameras and sending mobile alerts to nearby villages. Trained forest teams and local volunteers could also respond quickly when elephants approach settlements.
Gita Subba, who was injured in an elephant attack in November 2025, said, “Elephant attacks in this area are a recurring issue. However, the Forest Department’s surveillance has increased compared to the past.”
Sarat Chandra Roy, whose wife died in an attack during the same month, said, “My wife lost her life in an elephant attack. While the Forest Department did provide compensation, the attacks on human settlements have not ceased. Anyone could lose their life at any moment; therefore, the Forest Department needs to be even more vigilant.”
North Bengal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Bhaskar J V said the department has increased surveillance and started using modern technology. It has also been working with railway authorities to improve elephant safety near railway tracks and national highways.
Conservation groups have also called for protecting forests and migration routes. Abhiyan Saha of Airavat said damage to forests also harms wildlife. Kaustav Chowdhury of SNAP said elephants have the same right to live and their natural habitats must be protected.
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