SILIGURI,: It is becoming a tough task for foresters to push back a lone
elephant towards the jungle after being separated from the herd since Saturday
night.
A male elephant
around thirty years old was spotted at Radhajhar Jote in Gossainpur under
Bagdogra forest range on Sunday early morning. The elephant was roaming around
the tea plantation and paddy field the whole day but did not harm people or
their properties.
Forest officers
and staffs from eight ranges under Kurseong reached the spot including an elephant
squad and tranquilizing expert team from Mahanada Wildlife Sanctuary.
Villagers and
people visiting the areas are warned not to come out of their houses or roam
freely on road and fields as the animal may become furious and aggressive.
Hari Barman, a
local resident said, “We are in fear as the animal may enter the village’s
residential areas and cause harm as there are small children and old aged people
who cannot run away. We urge Forest officials to push the elephant towards the forest
as soon as possible.
Devesh Pandey,
DFO Kurseong division, said the elephant was seen in CCTV footage of around
2:30 am Sunday coming from Nawkaghat area after separation from herd.
The elephant
that was diverted and entered the village is not aware about the route to enter
the forest.
Pandey
requested the people not to come out of the houses and leave the passage for
the animal to cross by not disturbing or not bursting crackers.
Forest Ranger
Bagdogra Sonam Bhutia has been closely monitoring the situation and movement of
the elephant since early morning. He said that the staffs are trying their best
to divert the elephant and push it back to the Dalkhajhar forest via Airport
area.
