Recently, in the western ghat region, a baby elephant died when it came in contact with the electrified fences of a paddy field. It had come in search of food along with its mother, when it was struck by death. The grieving mother ran amuck and ransacked the nearby village. It destroyed a cow shed and even attacked a calf. Thus, it gave vent to its anger. Those who witnessed the anger, pain and unabated sadness of the mother elephant were panic-struck. However, no one had the heart to either respond to the agony inflicted upon the elephant due to the loss of its child or understand the requirements of the elephants.

It has been two months since this tragic incident happened. About two weeks ago, another elephant died when it came in contact with the electric fence. Due to the electric shock it suffered, the mammoth body of the elephant was tormented throughout the night and it breathed its last in the morning. Though it was caught in the quagmire of paddy fields, it tried its best to free itself and cried in vain seeking help. The remaining twelve elephants in the herd also cried for help but were unable to rescue their mate. However, the death of their mate is still fresh in their memories. They have sent a signal of caution to the nearby villagers of an attack on their abode.

These two fatal incidents occurred at Madihalli in Hassan district. Several elephants have been killed in the paddy fields below the coffee estates in the western ghat region. Farmers who electrify fences in order to protect their crop from the onslaught of the elephant herd, once they are killed, offer prayers to the dead elephants by smearing them with kumkum, turmeric and vibhuti. Hundreds of people from the neighbouring villages worship the dead elephant by offering prayers. Some even shed tears on elephant’s death. If these farmers had shown the same love and respect for the elephants when they were alive, most of them would not have met this brutal end. Elephant herd, which heads towards paddy fields in search of food, are oblivious to dangers lurking in the human territory.

In the past three years, eight elephants have been killed due to the electrification of fences and four have been injured. Though three high-strung elephants among the eighteen that travel in-between Hassan and Kodagu have already been transferred, some new ones can be spotted. They don't have enough to feed on in the forests. Jackfruit, bamboo and mango are depleting by the day. Thus, in order to fill their huge bellies, they head towards the paddy fields, desirous of tasting it but death awaits them in the form of electric fences.

Elephants have killed thirteen people in the past eight years, destroyed crops worth lakhs of rupees and uprooted several trees. Aren't the elephants wrong? The villagers question. Now, are people satisfied with the death of the elephants? That isn't the case too. The villagers are tormented by the guilt of having killed the elephants, which are representative of Lord Ganesha. In order to atone for their sins, they are offering prayers and taking vows in the name of God. However, the electrification of fences continues.

Who is to be blamed?
According to the villagers, the elephants are to be blamed. However, in the opinion of environmentalist B R Manjunath, the behaviour of elephants is appropriate. Who have encroached upon the territory of elephants? Who is responsible for the conversion of forests into lands for human habitation? Why were reservoirs, hydro-electricity units and roads created in the elephant corridor that extends from Bandipur to Dandeli?
The lives of elephants have been disturbed with the closure of the elephant corridor. Moreover, 60,000 acres of forest area has been encroached upon for the purpose of constructing reservoirs. Also, the illegal felling of trees has led to widespread soil erosion in the forest region. Due to this, rain water is not being retained and the growth of fodder is being dealt a severe blow. Thus, there is a paucity of food if a herd decides to halt in the forest. Unable to find an alternative path, the herd heads towards paddy fields. This is a natural and predictable mode of behaviour.

However, some elephants have been lured by the taste of illicit liquor. Strung by its taste, they have run amuck and killed several people. When human beings themselves lose their senses under the influence of alcohol, then you can imagine the plight of elephants!

Human beings are responsible for disturbing the peaceful lives of elephants in the forest. This is encouraged by the Forest Department. Owing to disruption in their lives, they run helter skelter, creating havoc in the lives of human beings. However, there are several other reasons which cause elephants to run amuck, informs Shekar, an expert on elephants.

The Forest Department, instead of providing compensation and protection to farmers, is only facilitating encroachment of forest areas. Electrification of fences is an offence. The fact that it has led to the death of several elephants is well known. However, the Forest Department claims that diseases are responsible for their deaths. Moreover, in the recent death of the elephant, it is said that the other elephants were responsible for its death. Also, vested interests are trying to close the case by claiming that the solar fence is now being replaced with the electric ones. Though there seemed to be no sympathy for the dead animal, all eyes were on its tusk. However, amidst all this, there were several who wept genuine tears and will continue to live with the tragedy.
Translated by R S Ranjeetha Urs