Daijiworld Media Network - Sullia

Sullia, May 18: Cases of wild elephants intruding into agricultural fields and human settlements in Sullia and Kadaba taluks are on the rise every year, causing serious concern among locals.

Over the past five years, more than 800 cases of wild elephants destroying crops in agricultural lands have been reported in the Subrahmanya forest sub-division. These incidents have claimed five lives and left six others injured. The Subrahmanya forest sub-division encompasses parts of Sullia and Kadaba taluks, including the forest ranges of Sullia, Panja, and Subrahmanya, with its divisional office located in Sullia. Most villages in these taluks border forest areas.

File photo

Crop damage statistics
The Sullia forest range reported the highest number of crop damage cases, while Panja range had relatively fewer. Between 2020-21 and 2024-25, Sullia range recorded 518 cases, Panja 92, and Subrahmanya 251, totaling 816 crop damage cases across the three ranges.

Year-wise breakdown across the sub-division:

• 2020-21: 113 cases

• 2021-22: 139 cases

• 2022-23: 168 cases

• 2023-24: 226 cases

• 2024-25: 215 cases

Compensation paid for crop loss:

• Sullia: Rs 1,28,46,586

• Panja: Rs 10,67,588

• Subrahmanya: Rs 48,89,012
  Total: Rs 1,88,03,186

Compensation for deaths and injuries due to elephant attacks:

• Subrahmanya: Rs 54,91,931

• Panja: Rs 40,306

5 deaths, 6 injured in elephant attacks
In the past five years, elephant attacks claimed five lives and injured six. The fatal attacks occurred in Subrahmanya range. The breakdown:

• 2021-22: 1 death, 2 injuries

• 2022-23: 3 deaths, 2 injuries

• 2023-24: 1 death

• 2024-25: 1 injury
  In Panja range, there was one injury case in 2023-24.

Widespread crop damage
Based on data from forest department and feedback from local farmers, wild elephant intrusions and associated crop losses are significantly rising. Recent years have seen over 200 reported crop damage cases annually. Farmers also claim many incidents go unreported.

Over 40 affected villages
In the Subrahmanya forest sub-division, 20 villages in Sullia and 23 in Kadaba taluks are prone to wild elephant attacks. Villages affected include:

• Sullia range: Mandekolu, Aletty, Sampaje, Ajjavara, Aranthodu, Ubaradka Mithur, Thodikana, Markanja, Devachalla, Nellur Kemraje, Sullia

• Panja range: Ivathoklu, Pambethady, Kootooje, Amaramudnur, Guthigar, Noojibalthila, Kutrapady, Balya, Koontoor, Nelyadi, Ichlampady, Alantaya, Konalu, Perabe, Kadaba, Edamangala, Ennekallu, Balpa

• Subrahmanya range: Nalkur, Harihara Pallathadka, Balugodu, Kollamogru, Kalmakaru, Ainekidu, Subrahmanya, Aithoor, Siribagilu, Konaje, Kombaru, Renjiladi, Bilinele

Ineffective control measures
Despite several control measures by the forest department, elephant intrusions continue unabated. Over five years, the following were implemented:

• Sullia range: 16.96 km elephant-proof trench, 559 meters concrete barriers, 11 km solar fencing

• Panja range: 4.265 km trench, 298.12 meters concrete barriers, assistance provided to four people for solar fencing

• Subrahmanya range: 16.96 km trench, 559 meters concrete barriers, 9 km solar fencing

Authorities have also constructed ponds in forest areas for drinking water for wild animals. However, despite substantial compensation and preventive measures, elephant intrusion into farmlands and human settlements remains unresolved. A permanent solution is the urgent demand of farmers and residents of affected villages.