According to villagers, the elephants have been camping in the area for last one and a half months and destroying crops systematically. Hundreds of acres of paddy crops have been damaged by wild jumbos in the region. The menace is more in Kothnahalli, Chikkallur, Maradikere and Hennali villages.
An elephant has given birth to a calf and since then the herd is trying to cross the River to return to forests. For this reason, these elephants are roaming in those villages, said Yasalur Range Forest Officer Satish Chandra.
Deputy Conservator of Forest Ambadi Madhava, Assistant Commissioner Nagendrakumar, Assistant Conservator of Forest Chandregowda visited the villages and assessed the damage caused to crops.
The villagers demanded shifting of elephants to other places for allowing villagers to live without any fear.
Wordy duel
A wordy duel ensued between farmers and officials over distribution of compensation to affected villagers.
Solar fencing
Deputy Conservator of Forest Ambadi Madhav told Deccan Herald that the State government is planning to put solar fencing from Gopalapura division of Hemavathy backwaters to Channapura division to prevent wild elephants from coming out Doddabetta forest range.
Besides, the department has written to the Centre seeking permission to shift rogue elephants from this region.
