JOIN USA herd of wild elephants entered the farmlands in the villages of Siddapura and have caused extensive damage to crops.
Even the Chescom linemen are refusing to visit the villages to restore the power supply fearing elephants. Recently two auto drivers could not go back their house in the night following elephants moving freely on the road. As a result, they had to stay back in their autos.
The villagers are under the grip of fear as a herd of elephants strayed into the villages and are creating ruckus in the village by destroying crops.
Elephants have been camping in Guhya, Koodugadde, Karadigodu, Mullathodu, Ambedkar Nagara, Kakkatakadu, Pallakere, Mutta, Nellyahuldikeri, Bettadakadyu. While moving from one forest area to the other, the herd damages the crops cultivated on the farmlands. In fact, vehicles refuse to ply on the road fearing attack in the evening.
Coffee plants, banana plantations, paddy and ginger crops have been damaged. In fact, labourers are refusing to enter inside the estate for work, fearing elephant attack. The growers have failed to take up the work on felling branches, spraying pesticides to check diseases following elephants camping in the region.
On the state highway which passes through Siddapura town, one can see herds of elephants moving freely in the evening. The elephants have been causing inconvenience to the students who go to schools by walking. The villagers have urged the forest department officials to chase elephants back to forest.