Elephant Herd Remains Near Belagavi Village Following Calf Birth, Causes Significant Crop Damage
A large herd of wild elephants has established a prolonged camp near Neelawade village, situated on the banks of the Malaprabha River in Khanapur taluk, Belagavi district. The group's extended stay, now spanning several weeks, is directly linked to a significant event: a female elephant within the herd recently gave birth to a calf.
Farmers Face Substantial Agricultural Losses
The presence of the herd, estimated to contain between 10 to 15 elephants, has led to extensive damage to standing crops in Neelawade and the surrounding villages. Farmers report the elephants have been roaming through and destroying valuable plantations and fields during nighttime hours.
"The elephants are targeting sugarcane, areca nut, banana, cashew nut plantations, and paddy fields," explained Sunita Nimbargi, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF). "Their movement is restricted because they are protecting the newborn calf, which keeps them in the Neelawade area. They venture into agricultural land at night, causing the damage."
Local farmer Vitthal from Neelawade village confirmed the herd's arrival dates back approximately five to six weeks. The agricultural community is now urging the forest department to conduct a thorough assessment of the financial losses incurred and to provide appropriate compensation for the ruined crops.
Forest Department's Response and Ongoing Challenges
Forest officials have acknowledged the situation, noting that this annual migration pattern sees elephants entering the forests of Khanapur taluk from the Dandeli forest region. However, the birth of the calf has complicated standard relocation efforts.
All attempts to safely relocate the protective elephant herd have been unsuccessful so far, as the animals are highly vigilant and defensive due to the presence of the young calf. The department is prioritizing damage control and farmer support while the herd remains.
Officials have assured the affected farmers that comprehensive efforts are underway to evaluate the crop damage accurately. "We are making all necessary efforts to ensure compensation is processed for the crop damage suffered by the farmers," a forest department representative stated. The situation highlights the ongoing challenges of human-wildlife conflict in the region, balancing ecological conservation with the livelihoods of local agricultural communities.
