A herd of wild elephants originating from Nepal caused significant damage early Tuesday morning, breaching a protective barrier and entering farmlands in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit district. The incident has reignited concerns over human-wildlife conflict in the region.
Border Breach and Agricultural Destruction
The intrusion occurred at the interface between the Mahof forest range and Mahof village. Three elephants managed to damage a chain-link fence stretching approximately 40 meters before moving into adjoining agricultural fields. There, they trampled and consumed wheat crops spread across an estimated five to six acres of land.
The matter was first reported to the forest authorities by local farmer Sayed Mohammad Zaki, who alerted officials to the breach and the subsequent crop destruction. The site of the incident is notably close to the Mahof forest range headquarters, which also houses staff residential quarters.
Official Response and Farmer Concerns
Manish Singh, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, confirmed that the damage to the fence was caused by elephants that had crossed over from Nepal. He assured that the fence would be repaired on a war footing to prevent further incursions. Additionally, field monitoring teams have been deployed to maintain a constant vigil on the movement of the elephant herd.
However, local farmers remain anxious. Satish Pasi and Hemraj, two other affected cultivators, expressed deep concern that the elephants could easily stray into nearby residential areas, which are located barely 500 meters from the affected fields. They have urgently appealed to forest officials to implement foolproof arrangements to keep the animals away from human settlements.
Demand for Assessment and Compensation
Highlighting the financial loss suffered by the farming community, Sayed Mohammad Zaki stated that the DFO has been requested to initiate a formal assessment of the crop damage by the revenue department. The primary demand is to ensure timely and adequate compensation for all affected farmers. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by communities living on the fringes of forest areas, where such conflicts are becoming increasingly frequent.
The prompt repair of the barrier and the effectiveness of the monitoring teams will be crucial in preventing a repeat occurrence and safeguarding both agricultural livelihoods and the safety of village residents.
