The by-election in the Madarihat Assembly seat of Alipurduar district has put the state forest department on alert along with the administration and the police, unlike five other seats where the by-election would be held on November 13, to conduct a “peaceful election.”

In Madarihat, around 80 percent of the 226 polling stations are in such locations where wild animals, particularly elephants often intrude in search of fodder.

“This time, the risk is more as the paddy has ripened and is ready for harvest. During this period, elephant herds often move into villages located on the fringes of forests. That is why, elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure that the pachyderms do not cause any disruption to the polling process,” said Navojit Dey, the assistant wildlife warden (AWLW) of the Jaldapara National Park.

Located in Madarihat, Jaldapara is the largest habitat of one-horned rhinos in the state. The national park is also the habitat of wild elephants, along with some other reserve forests which are located in this Assembly constituency.

“Elephants often move into these places and there are instances that the animals have damaged schools in search of food grains which are kept to serve mid-day meals to students. That is why, our men will constantly monitor such locations,” said a senior forester.

He pointed out that in Madarihat, there are places like Chhekamari, Meghnad Saha Nagar, Purba Khayerbari, Huntapara, Dhumchipara, Bollalguri, Purba Madarihat, Dakshin Madarihat and Shishubari, where even during day time, wild elephants enter the villages.

“For us, around 80 percent of the booths are 'sensitive,' obviously in terms of the chances of elephant depredation. That is why, we are on alert and taking all necessary steps for the safety of polling personnel, voters, and the polling booths,” he added.

Sources in the department said some booths will come up in primary and high schools located in remote areas.

According to the plan, the department has decided to depute a nodal officer who will liaise with the administration over the deployment and movement of forest guards and officers in different locations.

“On November 12, our teams will escort the polling teams to the booths and will bring them back to Birpara or Madarihat after the polling is over. Also, we will share the contact details of the officers posted in forest beats and ranges with the polling teams so that they can communicate in case of any emergency,” said the AWLW.

On its part, the department will intensify patrolling from November 12, till the polling is over to monitor the movement of elephants.

“They will intervene in case any elephant strays into a village or heading towards a booth,” he added.