Jumbos stray into village in Hunsur
Even as the wild elephants which had strayed on the outskirts of Mysore city grabbed attention of the media for more than two days, another herd of pachyderms strayed into a village in Hunsur from Veeranahosahalli forest range of Nagarahole National Park and created anxiety among the villagers, on Thursday.
A herd of 13 elephants camped behind the high school building of Nagapura Tribal Rehabilitation Centre at the 6th Block rehabilitation camp at Nagapura, causing jitters among the students and parents.
Though Veeranahosahalli Range Forest Officer Rajappa and his staff tried to drive away the elephants back into the forests, the jumbos did not budge for some time.
The forest officer said, once the wild elephants are spotted, locals gather in large numbers hindering their efforts of driving them into the forest.
Thier screams create fear among the animals, which scatter, causing extensive damage to lives and property.
The Forest department’s efforts to drive away the jumbos were also hindered due to the trenches that have been dug around the forests, Rajappa said.
The animals are also finding it difficult to cross the elephant-proof trench walls, making it difficult for the department’s operation.
There was disruption in vehicular traffic for a while on the road connecting Nagarahole National Park as the jumbos had camped near it. Vehicles bound for places in Kodagu district were seen lining up at Nagapura.
The official clarified that there was no extensive damage to either crops or property in Nagapura due to elephant raid. Forest department officials said, the elephants would be driven back into the forests on Thursday night, as there will no public intervention during the night, making the job easier.