The forest department is reported to have taken actions to create awareness among the public and has installed a trap to capture and rehabilitate a leopard or tiger (big cat) after the movement of a big cat was observed in Sangdupota circle of Papum Pare district. Reports indicate that a leopard or tiger has been sighted by the people of Lao and other villages under the Banderdewa forest division, causing damage by preying on mithuns and creating a panic-like situation among local communities in the nearby areas. There is presumed fear of attacks on mithuns and other domestic animals, as well as potential confrontations with humans.
Animal-human conflict often goes unreported, but in many parts of the state there are hundreds of cases of crop destruction each year, particularly by wild pigs and elephants. These conflicts frequently result in the death or maiming of animals and sometimes attacks on humans.
These conflicts often arise due to encroachments on animal habitats. With the rapid expansion of commercial and traditional jhum cultivation, more and more forest land is being encroached upon, leading to an increase in reported conflict cases. Many villagers live along elephant corridors, which these animals use at least once a year, making crops and humans vulnerable to attacks and also putting the animals themselves at risk.
It is a precarious situation, and therefore, the department must involve communities to ensure that the habitats of both humans and animals are preserved as much as possible.