Elephant herd from Karnataka roams in Hosur, people warned

The officials said the elephants have divided into smaller groups, of which, a group of 12 jumbos have advanced into the forest cover in Hosur. “They were roaming near ‘Podurpallam’ village, abetting the forest cover near Chennai-Bengaluru national highway,” they said.

To avoid conflicts, the Forest department has alerted the villagers to be cautious and not venture anywhere near the forest areas after dark. They were also asked not to tease the jumbos as they may get infuriated and lead to conflicts. 

As the elephants were likely to move into the Schoolagiri forest ranges, the Forest department has enhanced vigil and are tracking their movement. Elephants usually migrate in the months of October and November and move towards the forest cover in Andhra Pradesh. 

Similarly, a herd of seven elephants migrated from Kerala and camped in Valparai. They move in groups and often enter residential areas of tea estate labourers during night, and damage houses and ration shops. 

On Sunday, the herd strayed into Thaimudi Estate residential quarters and damaged a ration shop. They devoured rice, pulses and other commodities. Thereafter, they moved into Sholayar Estate. On information, Forest staff arrived and chased away the herd. 

On Saturday, the same herd strayed into Kejamudi Estate and damaged walls, doors and windows of a ration shop run by women of self-help groups. 

As elephants were frequently targeting the ration shops, the villagers claimed that either mobile ration shops should be operated or trenches dug out surrounding the shop to keep away the jumbos.