Human-elephant conflict escalates in Jharkhand; five people killed in a week, two elephants found dead
Ranchi, Nov 17
Human-elephant conflict is intensifying across Jharkhand, with five people killed in elephant attacks over the past week and two elephants found dead under mysterious circumstances.
In the latest incident, a herd of around 15 elephants entered Kharkanda village in the Jageshwar OP area of Bokaro district around 11 p.m. on Sunday and went on a rampage for several hours.
The herd trampled 45-year-old Sanjho Devi to death and vandalised 25-30 houses. A car and a tempo parked outside a home were also damaged, and the stored food was eaten.
Villagers said the attack was so sudden and severe that many residents climbed onto rooftops to save their lives.
A forest department team reached the spot after receiving information, but by then the herd had caused significant damage, estimated in thousands of rupees.
Villagers have demanded immediate compensation and enhanced protection.
Just a week earlier, two young men -- Prakash Mahato and Charku Mahato -- were trampled to death by a herd near the Tilaiya underground railway crossing in the same area. The victims, caught in the darkness of the forest, had no time to escape.
In another incident last Tuesday, 43-year-old Nakul Oraon of Mahua Patra village in Chatra district was killed in an elephant attack.
On Saturday night, in Lurungi village under Chanho police station in Ranchi district, 40-year-old farmer Chhotan Munda was trampled to death while attempting to chase away a wild elephant.
Angered villagers blocked NH-75 on Sunday morning, demanding a government job and compensation for Munda’s family. The blockade was lifted after the Forest Department provided Rs 25,000 as immediate assistance and assured further action.
Meanwhile, the discovery of two dead female elephants -- one of them pregnant -- in Juginanda Tola of West Singhbhum district on Friday has triggered concern within the Forest Department.
Villagers reported the carcasses after a foul smell spread in the area.
Ranger Jitendra Prasad Singh said the cause of death remains unclear, though the animals are believed to have died two to three days earlier.
Tracks in nearby fields and forests suggest a herd had been moving through the area recently.
Postmortems were conducted, and viscera samples from the liver, kidneys, and other organs were sent for forensic examination.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Rs 25,000 compensation for a life lost? This is absolutely shameful! The government needs to provide adequate compensation and proper rehabilitation for affected families. These poor villagers are living in constant fear.
As someone who has worked in wildlife conservation, I must say the Forest Department needs to be more proactive. Solar fences, trained rapid response teams, and community awareness programs are urgently needed.
The mysterious deaths of elephants are concerning. Hope the forensic report reveals the truth. Could be poisoning or something else. We need to protect our wildlife heritage while ensuring human safety.
My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones. Climbing on rooftops to save themselves - can you imagine the trauma? The government must act immediately with proper safety measures.
While I understand the villagers' anger, blocking highways isn't the solution. This is a complex issue of habitat destruction and human encroachment. We need sustainable solutions that protect both people and elephants.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.