Elephant rampage in Kishanganj broke many houses, trampled crops, people fled the village to save their lives.

News India Live, Digital Desk: The menace of wild elephants is not stopping in Dighalbank block of Kishanganj located on the India-Nepal border. For the past few days, a herd of elephants has been entering residential areas and not only damaging properties but also posing a threat to people’s lives. Highlights of the incident Late night attack: A herd of elephants crossed the Budhi Kanakai river and entered the villages on the Indian border. Amidst heavy rain and storm, elephants raided Suribhitta tribal hamlet and surrounding areas. Damage to houses: Elephants demolished the walls of many kutcha and tin-roofed houses. The elephants gnawed the grains (paddy and rice) kept inside the houses and destroyed the rest of the goods. Maize crop was ruined: Maize crop is about to be ready in the border areas, which has been completely destroyed by the elephants by trampling them under their feet. Farmers have suffered losses worth lakhs due to this. Exodus of villagers: Due to the sudden appearance of elephants, there was a stampede in the villages. People are running away with their children and cattle towards safe places or tall concrete houses. Many families spent the night under the open sky or in neighboring villages. Administration and Forest Department actionElephant trackers deployed: The Forest Department has sent local ‘elephant trackers’ to monitor the elephants. However, due to bad weather and darkness, it is becoming very difficult to drive away the elephants. Use of chilli: DFO has advised villagers to smoke chilli powder to keep elephants away from settlements, which is a traditional method of keeping them away. Assurance of compensation: The department has started preparing reports of damaged houses and crops so that the affected families can get government assistance. Reason According to experts, due to lack of food in the forests of Nepal and the maize season, elephants often cross the border and come to these areas of Bihar. Local people have been demanding for a long time to build an ‘Elephant Corridor’ in this area so that loss of life and property can be prevented.