Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (JD)

Karkala, Jul 11: The village of Nadpalu in Hebri taluk is once again facing the menace of a lone elephant. Over the past week, this elephant has been causing significant damage in the village, particularly targeting jackfruit and areca nut trees. It has trampled paddy fields, disrupting the newly planted crops.

In a recent incident, the elephant damaged the property of Usha Shetty in Nellikatte Kedalamakki by knocking down jackfruit and areca nut trees. Additionally, it trampled over freshly sown paddy fields, causing substantial agricultural loss. Another resident, Subraya Acharya of Bobbar Betu, reported that the elephant damaged his pipeline and destroyed nearby jackfruit trees.

The elephant's preference seems to be jackfruit trees. Over the past 15 days, it has been observed consuming jackfruit leaves and fruits. It occasionally targets areca nut trees, stripping the bark to eat the tender inner parts. The Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, which falls within the Agumbe region, has few banyan trees, leading the elephant to feed on jackfruit and areca nut trees.

In a night time incident at Usha Shetty's residence in Nellikatte Kedalamakki, the elephant was scared off when lights were turned on as it was breaking branches of a jackfruit tree. Similarly, about 15 days ago, the elephant attacked the house of Meena Poojarti, destroying jackfruit, coconut, and banana trees. Following this, villagers protested against the Forest Department, demanding the elephant be driven away.

During the Janaspandana meeting led by the Udupi deputy commissioner at the Hebri taluk office, the issue of the elephant menace was raised. The forest department has been proactive, initiating measures to drive the elephant back into the forest.

According to the forest department, this lone elephant has been roaming for the past 30 years. It travels from Kukke Subramanya in Sullia, through Beltangady, Naravi, and Maal Ghat, to reach Valikunja Betta and Kabbinhole Thingalamakki in Hebri, before heading towards Agumbe and Nagar Hosanagar. Despite its long journey, it has not caused any human casualties so far.