Puttur Farmers Face Crop Losses as Elephants Invade Kantramajalu, Forest Department Acts

 

Elephants Invade Kantramajalu. Representative Image (Pexel/SM)

Puttur, June 13, 2025: A herd of wild elephants caused significant destruction in Kantramajalu, Kolthige village, and surrounding areas of Puttur taluk on Wednesday night, leaving farmers grappling with substantial crop losses. The elephants trampled through agricultural lands, devastating coconut plants, fruit-bearing coconut trees, areca nuts, and banana trees. One notable incident involved the farm of Kantramajalu resident Ashok Rai, where the rampaging elephants caused extensive damage. Reports indicate that the elephants also invaded farms in Poondrukodi and Bidara, further compounding the distress of local farmers.

The return of wild elephants to Kantramajalu after a six-month hiatus has sparked fear among residents, who are now concerned about the safety of their livelihoods. The frequent crop damage in Kolthige has heightened tensions, with villagers urging immediate action to mitigate human-elephant conflicts in the region.

In response to the escalating issue, the Forest Department has initiated repair work on the solar fence along the protected forest in the Pernaje area. The fence, designed to deter wild elephants, was recently damaged by falling trees. On Thursday, officials began efforts to restore the solar fence to prevent further incursions. Subbayya Naik, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Puttur sub-division, stated that the department is also monitoring the movement of two elephants in the Puttur sub-division to ensure they are driven back into deeper forest areas. (Source TOI)

Local residents and farmers have expressed hope that the repairs, combined with proactive measures like the deployment of the Elephant Task Force (ETF), will help curb the menace of wild elephants. The Forest Department’s ongoing efforts aim to strike a balance between protecting agricultural livelihoods and ensuring the safety of the elephants.

Key Words: Wild elephants, Puttur, Kantramajalu, Kolthige village, Crop damage,Solar fence repair, Forest Department, Human-elephant conflict