Daijiworld Media Network – Belthangady (MS)

Belthangady, Oct 6: A group of wild elephants wreaked havoc on farmland in Dharmasthala Polasolike, destroying plantains, arecanut trees, and sweet potato crops late Friday night.

The pachyderms also vandalised crops on agricultural land owned by Xavier near the KSRTC bus stand in Dharmasthala, uprooting more than 10 arecanut trees and several large coconut trees. Additionally, a water pipeline was completely damaged, resulting in significant losses for the farmers.

Local residents are on high alert as the wild elephants have been roaming the roads, causing panic. In Charmady village, a herd entered the farmland of Anant Rao at Matada Majalu, destroying more than 60 arecanut trees and a coconut tree. It is suspected that there are six elephants in the herd.

Local resident Prakash Narayana Rao noted, “A lone tusker and a herd of three elephants have been frequently seen in this vicinity. However, this time, six elephants are roaming together.”