Rampaging Elephants Cause Havoc in Chhattisgarh Villages

A herd of wild elephants has wreaked havoc in Chhattisgarh's Marwahi Forest Division, striking fear among residents by damaging homes and crops. Marwahi forest ranger Ramesh Kumar reported that within a week, the elephants had damaged 15-16 houses due to a lack of food in their natural habitat. Assessment of the damage is ongoing as a team monitors the elephants' movements.

Residents voiced frustration over the perceived inaction of Marwahi Beat guards and the lack of early warnings. Local Dhanesh Prajapati expressed distress over his family's house destruction, questioning their shelter options during the rainy season, and criticized the guards for what he perceived as negligence.

The elephants were reportedly separated from a larger herd. Subadhra Prajapati, another local, shared how unexpected elephant visits have heightened fears, preventing restful sleep. With local wildlife corridors disrupted by expanding agriculture and infrastructure, elephant incursions into villages are increasing, often leading to conflicts.

Chhattisgarh's forested districts like Marwahi face frequent human-elephant conflicts due to the fragmentation of migration paths. Wildlife experts explain that elephants stray from traditional routes due to habitat loss, agricultural expansion, and mining, often resulting in disorientation and aggressive behavior towards humans. (ANI)