Chikkamagaluru residents face renewed fear as another wild elephant destroys crops just months after a fatal attack.
Chikkamagaluru
The conflict between humans and wild elephants in the district continues to escalate, with villagers once again gripped by fear after a lone tusker entered farmlands at night and damaged crops. The incident comes just months after a wild elephant attacked and killed a man in the same region, highlighting the growing severity of the human–animal conflict.
The latest intrusion has been reported from the same gram panchayat limits where the earlier tragedy occurred. A few months ago, the Kerekate area of Sringeri witnessed a fatal attack when a wild elephant charged at a local resident and took his life. Now, another elephant has been sighted roaming the area during nighttime, destroying arecanut, banana and paddy crops, causing significant losses to farmers.
Villagers say that despite repeated appeals, no permanent measures have been implemented to curb the elephant menace. Fencing, early-warning systems and elephant-proof trenches have been either insufficient or poorly maintained. As a result, the residents of this hilly region continue to live in constant anxiety.
Forest officials have begun monitoring the movement of the elephant, but the rugged terrain and dense vegetation make it difficult to track its path. Efforts are underway to drive the animal back into the forest, but locals fear the elephant may return unless long-term solutions are adopted.
Residents of Kerekate and the surrounding hamlets under the same panchayat are urging authorities to act swiftly before another tragedy occurs. They stress that crop damage not only affects livelihoods but also increases the risk of fatal encounters when villagers attempt to guard their fields at night.
The recurring incidents have once again sparked a debate about the need for sustainable mitigation strategies, including habitat restoration, relocation, and technology-assisted monitoring.
