Elephant herd enters human habitation, causes concern

Bangalore, Aug 10 (UNI) A herd of elephants, including a tusker and two calves, have entered a coconut grove on the outskirts of Channapatna town, about 55 km from here, causing anxiety among people of the area.

Talking to UNI, Principal Chief Wildlife Conservator A K Varma said forest department officials and forest watchers had been sent to the spot to drive back the herd of 13 elephants into the Muttatti forest range from where they had strayed into the grove near river Kanva in Kudluru village last night, probably in search of water.

He cited shrinking elephant habitation due to urbanisation, agriculture and quarrying as the reasons for elephants coming out of the forests frequently.

Mr Varma said as news about the herd spread, thousands of people thronged the area, hampering the efforts of the forest officials to drive the pachyderms back into the forests. However, the police cleared the crowds and the officials were trying various methods, including bursting of crackers, to send the elephants back. If need be, elephants trained by the department would used to do the job, he added.

He said ''The elephants are from the Muttatti forest near the Bannerghatta National Park, about 20-22 km from where they are now sheltered. Elephants generally wander in search of food and water, but seldom come near human habitations. The increased pressure on this corridor due to human activities often forces them to stray out of the forests,'' he added.

Reports said the herd had destroyed a large quantity of plantation crops and pulses grown in the groove.

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