Cases of Human-elephant conflict being on the rise in Meghalaya are evident from the 220 depredation cases caused by wild elephants in Garo Hills in the last three years. 

Of the 220 odd officially registered cases of wild elephants damaging the crops and lives and property of the people in the last five years, Samanda Community Development Block top the registered official list, with 109 cases from 2002 to 2005 followed by Resulbelpara Community block with 100 cases during the corresponding period and the other being Rongjeng Community Block with 13 cases.
According to official reports, the worst was Samanda, which witnessed cases of havoc being created by wild elephants being 79 in 2002-03, 8 in 2003-04 and 24 in 2004-2005. All the victims have received an ex-gratia payment of Rs.1, 62,150 in the last four years. Resulbelpara witnessed 26 such rampages by wild elephants in 2002-2003 accompanied by a low of 3 reported cases in 2003-2004 and a shoot of 55 cases in 2004-2005. The victims have received Rs. 3,69,400 as ex-gratia from the Government of Meghalya. Ronjeng with a mere 13 cases of depradtion caused by wild elephants received 1,5,2000 whereas victims under the Songsak Community delpoment block received Rs.2,80,111 for the  10 cases in the last four years.
For victims of elephant herd rampages, maximum of those were paid with the money to compensate the loss, stated the report but what was clear from the vivid description of the State Government to the menace is human encroachment to the tusker habitat.

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