Forest Department to launch 'Operation Nagapuri' today

The department has brought five tamed elephants specially for this purpose. The operation is being launched following complaints from local residents about the menace of the rogue elephants in their villages.

A temporary shed is constructed at Nagapuri Hunsaegondi village for the sake of elephants as well as for mahouts, kavadis, officials, veterinary doctors and personnel of forest department who would be involved in the job of nabbing the rogue elephant.

While Abhimanyu is brought from Madikeri Forest division, Bharath, Harsha, Vikram and Gajendra  are brought from Hunsur and Chamarajanagar range.

Following the arrival of elephants, people from surrounding areas are arriving in large number to witness the operation. This is worrying the department officials as the rogue elephant may attack the villagers.

The rogue elephants would certainly come near the camp catching the scent of other elephants. In view of this, the department has warned the local population not to move in three km vicinity of the camp till the operation is completed.

This rogue elephant has already trampled two persons to death besides damaging the crops worth lakhs of rupees in Kasabha hoblis, Kanakatte and Nagapuri surrounding areas.  
A fifty member team of forest officials led by Deputy Conservator of Forest Ambadi Madhav is carrying out the operation. Assistant Conservator of Forests of Sakleshpur, Chandregowda and others officials of the department  is also participating.