Elephant Herd Wreaks Havoc in Gumla Village, Destroys Property and Food Stocks
A herd of elephants caused significant damage in Chharda village under Sisai block in Gumla district, Jharkhand, on Saturday night. The animals destroyed a hut and consumed stored paddy, leaving a farmer distressed and local authorities on high alert.
Farmer Recounts Loss as Elephants Invade Property
Etwa Oraon, the affected farmer from Chharda village, described the incident in detail. "The elephants broke the walls of my house, ate the stored paddy, and destroyed utensils," he said. "They also damaged the boiled paddy that was kept outside for drying to make rice." This destruction has not only caused material loss but also threatened the food security of the household.
Forest Officials Track Elephant Movement Across Multiple Villages
Forest beat officer Rakesh Mishra confirmed that a team of forest staff and police personnel is actively monitoring the situation. The herd, consisting of 14 elephants including two calves, has been moving through various villages in the region. Initially spotted at Atakora Khaksitoli village in Bharno block on Friday, the elephants moved to Pahar-Kesha village in Bharno on Sunday morning before proceeding to Tilsiri village under Bhandra block in Lohardaga district.
Administrative Measures Implemented to Ensure Safety
In response to the escalating wildlife conflict, the Gumla district administration has imposed restrictive orders from January 30 to February 15 in half-a-dozen villages. This precautionary step was taken after the elephant herd crossed over from Lohardaga to villages in Bharno on Thursday. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported so far, but the authorities remain vigilant to prevent any harm to human life or further property damage.
The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of human-wildlife coexistence in rural Jharkhand, where such encounters can lead to substantial economic losses for farmers and pose risks to community safety.
