DHARMAPURI: Residents of Eriyur near Pennagaram in Dharmapuri district panicked after six wild elephants wandered into the village in the early hours of Thursday. The herd moved through farmland and ruined standing crops such as ragi, pearl millet and finger millet.
Forest Department Response
On being alerted, forest department personnel reached the area and started attempts to guide the elephants back to forest. The operation is ongoing, with officials using methods to safely herd the animals away from human settlements.
Farmers' Anger and Demands
Farmers voiced anger over frequent elephant intrusions into the area in recent times. “We toil for months to raise our crops, but in a single night everything is destroyed. The government must take strong measures to protect us and our crops,” said K Suresh, a farmer. Local residents expressed fear for their safety and livelihood, urging authorities to implement long-term solutions such as elephant-proof trenches or barriers.
Recurring Issue
This incident is not isolated. In recent months, villages bordering forests in Dharmapuri have reported multiple elephant incursions, leading to significant crop loss. Farmers have demanded compensation for damages and proactive steps from the forest department to prevent future occurrences. Officials have assured that they are working on strategies to mitigate human-elephant conflict in the region.
