Elephant herd destroys paddy, maize fields
Elephants damage crops in Raigarh villages, farmers face losses
Raigarh | Correspondent: In a recent case of Human-elephant conflict, a herd of elephants have damaged 15 farmer's paddy and maize crops.
The incident took place on Sunday's night across the Dharam Jaigarh Forest Division. Following which the forest department team reached the affected areas for evaluating losses.
According to officials, the district’s two forest divisions together have 132 elephants. Of these, 94 comprising males, females, and calves are in the Dharam Jaigarh division, which has seen higher conflict levels. The Raigarh Forest Division currently has 38 elephants.
On Sunday night, a herd of elephants entered Aamgaon, Ongana, Krondha, and Lamikhar areas.
The villagers along with forest personnel tried to get rid of the elephants but they miserably failed. The elephants remained in the fields until dawn, trampling standing crops.
The highest level of elephant activity is currently being observed in the Nawapara Tenda and Amlidih areas of the Gharghoda Range, as well as in the Chainpur region.
Officials from the Chhal Range state that the situation is being monitored around the clock. Through the 'Elephant Mitra' (Elephant Friends) teams, public announcements are being made in vulnerable villages to advise residents to remain vigilant.
The department's objective is to keep the elephants away from residential areas and agricultural fields, thereby minimizing the loss of both human life and property.
