Elephant menace: Experts from Nagarahole National Park sent to Belthangady

Mangaluru: A team of experts from Nagarahole National Park have reached to Belthangady where herd of elephants wrecking havoc in the human habitation area.

About 4-5 elephants have been troubling the residents in and around Charmadi village in Belthangady Taluk. The affected villages are situated on the foothills of the Western Ghats and are bordering Mudigere Taluk of Chikkamagaluru. Elephants coming from the nearby forest enter the plantations and destroy crops like coconut, arecanut, and banana.

The animals have been destroying the crops for than a month and the villagers have taken up the matter with the forest officials.

Considering the seriousness of the situation, the forest officials invited experts from Nagarahole National Park.

“Four people who are experts in driving the elephants away from human habitations have come to Belthangady. Their task is to chase away the elephants into the deep forest,” Belthangady Range Forest Officer Thyagaraj told Deccan Chronicle.

“The herd of elephants enter the village during the night. The experts went to the bordering areas to find the elephants. They will keep a tab for the next few days and take the necessary action,” he added.

The forest department has also decided to use drone cameras to spot the elephants. The drones will help in tracing the elephants, spot them and chase the animals back to the forest.

The forest department is unable to dig trenches to keep the elephants away because of the presence of roads and water bodies.