Elephant herd wreaks havoc in Parvathipuram Manyam

Forest officials promptly issued alerts to nearby villages, warning residents about the potential dangers posed by the elephants. Several villagers reported close encounters with the herd while commuting to work, but fortunately, no injuries were reported.

District forest officer G.A.P. Prasuna acknowledged the ongoing challenges of managing elephant movements in the region. "We have taken necessary measures, but we cannot completely eliminate elephant presence here," she said. She urged residents to exercise caution while travelling through affected areas.

Prasuna highlighted that over the past two and a half years, elephants have increasingly ventured into human-inhabited areas. To mitigate risks, the forest department has deployed staff to monitor elephant movements every two hours.

However, despite repeated warnings, some villagers have been drawn to the elephants, viewing them as manifestations of Lord Ganesha. This behavior has further complicated efforts to ensure public safety.

The recent tragic incident, where a 74-year-old farmer was trampled to death by a wild elephant, underscores the severity of the human-elephant conflict in the district. This marked the twelfth fatality in the past decade.

Considering the escalating risks, the forest officer hinted at the possibility of imposing Section 144 of the CrPC to ensure public safety.