Jharkhand Elephant Intrusions: Forest Dept & Villagers on Alert in Khunti

Ranchi: Forest department and villagers are on the vigil in Rania and Kara blocks of Khunti district following incidents of elephant intrusions in human habitations in recent days.Khunti divisional forest officer Dilip Kumar said that two to three elephants remain permanently in Rania and Karra areas and there have been instances of crops and property damages by them.He added that situation worsens when a herd of over 20 elephants crosses these areas, which lie on the transit route of the elephants in the state. He said, “But in the wake of recent incidents of elephant-human conflicts in other parts of the state, forest staff are keeping a vigil over the elephant movement. The villagers are informed whenever the animals start approaching their area. Crackers are also provided to them.”He said that villagers have also been trained on burning chillis in jute bags at night as the smell keeps elephants away.