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Elephants Rampage, Devastating Farms in Tamil Nadu
11 Jan
Summary
- A herd of 13 elephants, including four calves, destroyed crops.
- Banana and coconut groves were devastated in recent night raids.
- Forest teams are using drones to monitor and restrict elephant movements.
A herd of 13 elephants, including four young ones, has been causing widespread crop destruction near Panamadangi Reserve Forest in Vellore, Tamil Nadu. For several days, the elephants have been raiding farmlands, particularly devastating banana and coconut groves in areas like Rajiv Gandhi Nagar and Indira Nagar. This annual migration, often from Andhra Pradesh's Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary, highlights recurring challenges for local farmers.
Forest officials, in collaboration with police and the Chief Conservator of Forests, have initiated intensive monitoring operations. Efforts are focused on restricting the herd's movement within forest areas, including Chittapara forests in Andhra Pradesh. Drones are being deployed to track the elephants' movements, aiding officials in guiding them away from agricultural lands and preventing future incursions.
The district administration is reviewing measures to prevent such incidents and ensure prompt compensation for farmers like B. Sokkan, who reported about an acre of banana plantation completely destroyed. While no human lives have been lost, the economic impact on farmers remains a significant concern as patrols continue along the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border.
