Elephant herd goes on rampage in Teliamura forest, one villager injured

Panic resurfaced in the interior Champlai area of the Chakmaghat forest range under Teliamura subdivision on Saturday evening after a herd of wild elephants went on a rampage in the forest. A local villager was seriously injured after coming face to face with the herd while grazing cattle.

According to sources, the injured has been identified as Dhananjay Biswas (60), a local farmer. He had ventured into the forest on Saturday afternoon to graze his cattle when a herd of tusker elephants suddenly charged at him. In a desperate attempt to save his life, Biswas jumped into a nearby forest ravine, sustaining severe injuries to multiple parts of his body.

Following the incident, he remained missing for several hours. After an extensive search by family members and local residents, he was found unconscious and immediately rushed to the Teliamura Sub-Divisional Hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment.

It may be recalled that the menace of wild tusker elephants in Teliamura subdivision and its surrounding forest areas is not new. For several years, elephant herds have frequently strayed into human habitations. Apart from causing extensive damage to crops, there have also been allegations of multiple human deaths due to elephant attacks.

Angry local residents alleged that despite repeated incidents, no permanent or effective measures have been taken by the Forest Department or the administration. They demanded immediate steps, including the identification of elephant corridors, warning that failure to act could lead to more serious accidents in the future.

The recent incident in Champlai has once again highlighted that the growing threat posed by wild tusker elephants has become a serious danger to the lives and livelihoods of common people. Conscious citizens believe that without urgent and coordinated intervention by the administration, relief from this recurring crisis remains unlikely.