Daijiworld Media Network – Karkala (MS)

Karkala, Sep 23: Residents of Kabbinale in Hebri taluk are living in fear as a lone tusker that destroyed farmland two days ago is suspected to be hiding in the thick forest of Tingale.

The elephant damaged crops belonging to Muttagowda, an agriculturist from Kabbinale Kortabail, destroying more than 20 arecanut trees. Earlier, the same tusker uprooted jackfruit and arecanut trees on the farmland owned by Keddalamakki Usha Shetty. It also roamed through a paddy field where sowing had been done. Additionally, the elephant damaged a pipeline on the farmland of Bobbarbettu Subraya and broke branches of a jackfruit tree. The tusker caused further panic when it roamed near the house of Meena Pujarti at night.

Kabbinale is a popular area for trekkers, and forest officials have placed warning signs at the junction leading to Kabbinale and Bacchapu to prevent trekkers from entering the danger zone.

Wild elephant encounters are increasing in the Subramanya and Beltangady areas, which fall under the mountain ranges. Elephants frequently move through Naravi, Nooralbettu, Mala Ghat, and Game Road to Valikunja, Agumbe, and Hosanagar. Locals believe that the reserve forest and large trees in Kabbinale may be attracting the elephants to camp in the area.