Herd of 32 elephants chased into forests near Krishnagiri

The elephant herd that was driven back to 
Udedurgam Reserve Forests on Tuesday.
 —Photo: Special Arrangement

A herd of 32 wild elephants that entered a mango orchard near Kelamangalam were driven back to the Udedurgam Reserve Forests by the forest officials after a four-hour exercise, on Tuesday night.

Sources in the Forest Department told The Hindu that over a hundred elephants, in different groups, had entered into the forest from Bennarghatta RF via the Jawalagiri RF two months ago.

This despite elephant proof trenches being dug for a distance of about 89 km.

Damaged trenches

However, these trenches were breached by the farmers who wanted to take their cattle inside the forest for fodder. These damaged trenches helped the elephants enter into human habitations as well.

The elephants damaged crops like sugarcane, banana, ragi, paddy as well as vegetables in and around Denkanikottai, Royakottai, Uthanapalli, Kelamangalam and Anchetty.

When people saw the herd of 32 elephants wandering near Nilagiri village in Uthanapalli they informed the forest officials.

On instructions from the District Forest Officer A.K. Ulaganathan, a team of forest officials and employees headed by Assistant Conservator of Forests Mr. Soundararajan and Royakottai Ranger Vinobaji chased the herd into the Udedurgam Reserve Forests bursting crackers and using powerful search lights.

Police officials headed by the Assistant Superintendent of Police Vijaykumar prevented the locals from getting near the herd during the operations, sources said.

While crossing over to the Reserve Forests, the herd trampled to death a calf near Yupuram.

Before undertaking the elephant eviction drive, the forest officials warned the public not to venture out of their homes through the public address system, the sources added.