Photos: Wild elephants stray into villages for food in northeast India

A herd of wild elephant search for food inside a forest near a railway track at Panbari village on the outskirts of Gauhati. More then 35 wild elephants with their calfs came out from the nearby Amchang wildlife sanctuary in search for food, last night.

Wildlife activists say human encroachment in the forests of northeast India have forced elephants out of their natural habitats, triggering conflicts with locals.

Conservationists have urged the government to remove encroachments and free elephant corridors that are used by the beasts to move across forests in search of food.

A forest guard signals for a train to slow down as wild elephants graze nearby at Panbari village.

A wild elephant leads a herd finding a passage in a forested area near a railway track at Panbari village.

Villagers arrive to watch a herd of wild elephants that strayed near a railway track at Panbari village, on the outskirts of Gauhati.

An elephant and calves walk in a forested area near a railway track at Panbari village, on the outskirts of Gauhati.

Villagers climb a railway pole to watch a herd of wild elephants grazing nearby at Panbari village.

Forest guards keep vigil on a railway track as a herd of wild elephants try to cross the area at Panbari village.

A herd of wild elephants stand in a forested area near a railway track at Panbari village, on the outskirts of Gauhati.

Elderly villagers look at wild elephants graze inside a forest area near a railway track at Panbari village.

A herd of wild elephants walk in a forested area near a railway track at Panbari village, on the outskirts of Gauhati.

A villager climbs down a railway pole after watching a herd of wild elephants graze in a forested area near a railway track at Panbari village.