Virajpet: Operation to drive three wild tuskers back into forest to continue

The operation to capture three wild tuskers in Virajpet taluk. It began on Tuesday (August 18), will continue on Wednesday (August 19) as forest officials could not drive the elephants back into the forest during the dawn-to-dusk exercise.

Deputy Conservator of Forests Abhishek stated the operation to drive the elephants back into the forest would resume on Wednesday (August 19).

Several villages in the taluk are gripped by fear of elephant attacks after the death of a plantation worker on Monday (August 17). Gopal, a migrant worker from West Bengal employed at Ghattadalla Coffee Estate, was killed in the attack in Maldare, while another worker sustained injuries.

The incident triggered anger among co-workers and local residents. This person staged a protest in Siddapur. They alleged that such incidents were occurring regularly and accused the Forest Department of failing to take adequate measures to address the human-elephant conflict.

Following the attack, prohibitory orders were imposed at 11 villages in the taluk by Virajpet tahsildar from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. to maintain law and order during the Forest Department’s operation to drive the wild elephants into the forest. Captive elephants from Dubare camp had been roped in for the operation.

Forest authorities launched the operation to safely drive the elephants away from human habitations. While the sale and consumption of alcohol in the villages were also prohibited during the operation, residents were advised against bursting crackers. Entry of private vehicles into the villages where the ban orders had been imposed was also prohibited as a precautionary measure.