The number of wild elephants has increased in the border areas of the Garo Hills in Sherpur district. As a result, a food crisis has emerged, prompting elephant herds to enter human settlements in search of food. They are descending upon agricultural lands, causing damage to farmers’ cultivated crops. In response, locals have urged the planting of elephant-friendly food trees in forest areas to protect farmland.They mentioned  that once-barren hills have been reforested. While the number of trees has increased, a wild habitat has also been created, allowing elephants to roam freely in groups. However, the number of trees that provide food for elephants has not increased significantly. For this reason, the herds are crossing the Garo Hills in search of food and entering nearby villages. This has left locals feeling insecure due to potential elephant attacks, while also struggling to protect their agricultural lands.During the spot  observations along the Indian Meghalaya border, including extensive areas of the Garo Hills in Nalitabari, Jhenaigati, and Sreebardi upazilas of Sherpur district, this situation has become clear. Dewan Ali, the range officer of the Forest Department at Madhutila Eco Park in Nalitabari, said that between 2018 and 2020, various species of saplings were planted under the Sustainable Forests & Livelihoods (SUFAL) Project in Madhutila and surrounding hills. With proper care, these saplings have now matured into trees, enriching the forest. The lush, green hills now provide a safe environment, leading to a rapid increase in wild elephant numbers. However, since the number of elephant-friendly food trees has not risen accordingly, a food shortage has developed.He further stated that under the SUFAL project, deep tube wells, roads, and infrastructure were constructed for local schools, mosques, madrasas, and temples. Additionally, loans have been provided to forest-dependent people to help them become self-reliant. Many locals are now engaged in businesses and becoming independent, thus forging a stronger bond between communities and the forest. General awareness among the people has also grown, with many taking part in wildlife conservation.Meanwhile, SB Tanvir Ahmed Iman, the range officer at Rangatila in Jhenaigati upazila, said that new gardens have been created under the SUFAL Project. Loans worth 12.5 million taka were facilitated for forest-dependent people in his range area, enabling many to become self-sufficient and to assist the forest department in greening efforts. Throughout the year, wild elephants roam in herds across the Bangladeshi part of the Garo Hills. These elephants are now considered a natural treasure and asset of Bangladesh. Sherpur’s Garo Hills, spanning three upazilas, are home to the largest wild elephant population in the country. The local forest department is now planning to increase the number of elephant-friendly trees and has informed the relevant authorities.In Sreebardi upazila, Md. Suman Mia, Range Officer of the Baliajuri Range, said,  43 species of trees have been planted in designated forest areas under the SUFAL project. Hills that once lacked trees are now thriving. Saplings have matured, and new ones are naturally regenerating, enriching the forest environment. Forest-dependent communities have become more self-sufficient, and the benefits of the SUFAL project are evident. Various types of flowers now grow in the forest, attracting bees and making the area suitable for honey production. With proper permission from the forest department, beekeeping and honey production can be pursued here.Shawkat Ali (55), a resident of the hill-encircled Malakucha Jhul village in Sreebardi, said that this kind of plantation is rare. The garden has cashew nut trees and various fruit trees. Elephants come in groups to feed on them. Locals do not disturb the elephants, fostering a unique relationship between people and animals. However, the situation is different in Jhenaigati and Nalitabari, where food shortages for wild elephants. Nonetheless, these elephants are a national resource. Protecting and increasing their population would benefit the country. Therefore, afforestation with food trees for elephants has become a major challenge. Creating an environment conducive to elephant breeding is the government's responsibility, as wild elephants are a national asset.According to the forest department, nearly 50 elephant calves have been born in the past year alone. Previously, about 100–120 wild elephants roamed the Garo Hills in Sherpur, but that number has now increased to at least 170, officials estimate. Despite concerns from elephant researchers that the Asian wild elephant population in Bangladesh is declining and nearing extinction, forest officials in Sherpur see a glimmer of hope due to the ongoing growth in their population.