A long-standing interaction between a local priest and wild animals at a shrine in Assam has drawn serious administrative and conservation scrutiny. The Forest Department has stepped in following reports of priest Gauranga Das hand-feeding bananas to wild elephants arriving from the neighboring forest at the Kal Bhairav Dangoria Baba Ashram. What originally gained massive attention on social media as an extraordinary display of human-animal trust has now transformed into a major debate surrounding wildlife safety guidelines and potential human-elephant conflict.
A Six-Year Bond Between Priest Gauranga Das and Wild Elephants
The unusual events center around the premises of the Kal Bhairav Dangoria Baba Ashram. The deep familiarity established between priest Gauranga Das and the wild elephants did not happen overnight; it evolved over a period of roughly six years. According to available details, the priest first encountered a wild elephant while residing at the ashram about six years ago. Over time, that initial solitary interaction expanded, gradually drawing multiple elephants from the adjacent forest reserve to the shrine boundaries.
Today, the arrival of these massive wild creatures from the nearby jungle has become a routine sight at the shrine. Whenever priest Gauranga Das steps toward the forest edge and calls out, wild elephants begin emerging from behind dense thickets and tall trees within minutes. Without any fences, ropes, or iron chains binding them, the untamed animals walk straight up to the priest. They accept bananas directly from his hands and quietly retreat into the wilderness after finishing their meal.
Night Visitors Near Sacred Fire and Growing Public Interest
Visuals and videos capturing this extraordinary relationship have circulated widely across social media platforms, with many observers viewing it as a testament to peaceful coexistence. The visits by these wild elephants are not restricted to daylight hours either. On numerous occasions, herd members have been spotted roaming around the ashram grounds late at night, often standing calmly near the shrine's continuously burning sacred fire.
The striking contrast of a quiet nighttime jungle, a red-robed priest, and massive wild elephants standing side by side has created a scene reminiscent of a film narrative. As word spread, local residents and visitors from surrounding regions began flocking to the ashram specifically to witness the remarkable interaction firsthand.
Wildlife Experts Warn of Changing Animal Behavior and Conflict
While the closeness between the priest and the wild elephants appears fascinating to visitors, wildlife conservation experts view the practice with intense concern. Experts have repeatedly cautioned that regularly offering human-provided food to wild animals fundamentally alters their natural instincts, foraging behaviors, and seasonal movement patterns.
If wild elephants become conditioned to associate human settlements or specific shrines with easy access to food, their natural instinct to search for vegetation across forest corridors diminishes. This leads to frequent visits to populated zones, escalating the risk of human-elephant conflict. Given that Assam is already grappling with persistent human-elephant encounters that threaten lives and crops, habituating wild herds to human feeding spots presents a severe hazard.
Forest Department Action and 10,000 Rupee Penalty Warning
Recognizing the serious implications for wildlife management, forest authorities have officially intervened. The Kapili Valley Range Office has issued a formal notice prohibiting the feeding of wild elephants at the site. Authorities emphasized that protecting wildlife laws and preventing dangerous habituation remain vital public safety responsibilities.
The official directive specifies that any further violation of the order could result in a fine of up to 10,000 rupees. With this regulatory enforcement, a phenomenon that began as a viral internet sensation is now firmly centered on critical questions of wildlife protection, legal compliance, and ecological ethics.
