Jorhat: Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Mariani, formerly known as Gibbon wildlife Sanctuary or Hoollangapar Reserve forest, the only sanctuary in India reserved for Gibbon or long armed ape has now hit more headlines for its growing number of elephants. Although Assam Government had declared this forest as a Wildlife Sanctuary on July 30, 1997 for its land area and large population of Gibbon monkeys, the sanctuary has now become a home to a large number of elephants, which have been casting terror in the neighbouring areas of this wildlife sanctuary. More than 25 elephants, along with a tusker have been giving sleepless nights to the inhabitants of the surrounding areas. About 20.98 square km area of the sanctuary is now home to the increasing number of elephants, who intrude into the adjacent areas of the sanctuary. Apart from damaging the paddy fields of the local people, the herd along with the tusker entered into the houses of residents, breaking paddy stores in the lookout for food. The search for food has resulted in man elephant conflicts in the region. Several people have lost their lives in these conflicts. In a recent incident, after breaking the paddy store of a senior doctor in Mariani, Dr Padmeswar Buragohain, the tusker entered their kitchen, where six members of the family were taking dinner. The members luckily saved themselves from the attack of the tusker. In a similar incident, a tusker entered the compound of a resident of the same locality, Akonty Buragohain, a renowned elephant catcher (Hati Fandi) and damaged his paddy store. When Buragohain tried to scare the animal with fire crackers, the tusker attacked his house. Such man elephant conflicts have become a common phenomenon in the area. According to the forest officials, there is no estimated roaming area for elephants for food. The 20.98 square kms area of the Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary is not enough for even two elephants. According to the affected people, the government accorded various forest laws by neglecting the sentiments of the people. They alleged that the Forest Department said that it is because of encroachment in the elephant corridors, that they frequently became furious. But now, they complained that elephants roamed about the place irrespective of corridors. On the other hand, forest officials opined that due to strict enforcement of forest laws, catching of elephants, and conservation of wild life has increased the population of elephants. If the government does not adopt some policy to control the population of elephants, its announcement of Rs 1 lakh cash relief to the victims will be of no use.