Chilli Smoke Fends Off Elephant Stampede

In Ramgarh, residents are being advised to burn red chilli to ward off elephants, a unique measure to protect human habitations. This initiative comes after recent tragic events where six individuals lost their lives to elephant trampling, prompting a district-wide alert. Many villagers have adopted the practice, burning chilli at village entry points and near homes, especially in the evenings, to create a deterrent.

This unconventional defense method is part of broader efforts to manage human-elephant conflict. Villagers are also equipped with flashlights by the forest department to keep watch from rooftops, while traditional methods like beating drums and setting off firecrackers are also prepared. The forest department has deployed five Quick Response Teams (QRTs) equipped with torches, drums, and firecrackers to monitor the movements of the 36 elephants spotted.

As of recent reports, the elephants, including a herd of 18 driven towards the Kankebar and Masmohana forest, have been moving across the Chutupalu valley highway. The administration and forest officials believe the herds may be hiding in the forest and are likely to move during the night, emphasizing the ongoing need for vigilance and the implemented protective measures.