HASSAN: Wild elephants in Yesalur range of Sakleshpur taluk have once again started creating problems for farmers. Their increasing numbers are a concern for farmers and officials of the Forest Department. According to sources in the Forest Department, about 15 elephants are creating problems in the area. Wild elephants, which have been dormant for some time, have started destroying crops in the Malnad region. People are afraid to venture out even during the daytime. According to people in Yesalur hobli, wild elephants destroyed crop on more than 10 acres recently. A herd of eight wild elephants is frequenting Doddakallur, Kumbralli, Kottanahalli and Chikkakallur villages, are terrorising people in the region. Recently, these elephants trampled banana, areca, cardamom, and coffee plantations resulting in huge losses. "As they are getting food, they keep coming back and the efforts of the Forest Department in chasing them to the Kodagu border is not yielding any result," Chandrappa of Doddakallur village said. Villagers complain that the thick forest in heart of a few plantations has become a convenient place for the pachyderms to hide after destroying crops.

The elephants have also damaged aluminium pipes which were laid for pumping water. Forest Department officials are making an effort to contain the menace. Deputy Conservator of Forests K.H. Nagaraj said it had been decided to form a team of forest officials from Yesalur range to chase the wild elephants across the border. The team would take action shortly. After chasing the elephants across the border, steps such as the beating the drums and busting of crackers would be taken to stop them from re-entering the area. As a temporary measure, the range forest officers of three ranges in the district would conduct a "mass drill" with the help of the public on Friday to scare away the elephants, he said. A proposal to increase the compensation amount for the crop loss had been sent to the Government. The department would not delay payment of compensation to farmers, he added. Meanwhile, a tusker that was in a state of "must" entered Chikkabikkodu village in Belur taluk and terrorised people there on Wednesday.

The elephant entered plantations in the village and damaged ginger and banana crops. The efforts of the forest official to control it failed outs. Forest officials had to request veterinarians from Mysore zoo, who brought the animal under control by tranquilising it.

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