Wild elephant herd roams Koderma villages; Forest department on high alert amid rising human-elephant conflicts

Koderma: The forest department in Koderma is on high alert following the sighting of a herd of 15 wild elephants near villages in Satganwa block. The herd, which includes a young calf, has been roaming around the region for the past one week, causing widespread panic and sleepless nights for residents of Galwati, Madhopur, Dhebodih, Mirganj, and Bhadali villages. The herd also caused damage to the rice and potato crops grown in the fields there.

This recurring crisis has been plaguing the district for over five years. The elephants typically enter the region through two primary corridors, crossing the Barakar river from Hazaribag into Jainagar and Markachho, or from Nawada in Bihar into Satganwa block.


This particular herd entered via the Nawada route on Feb 10 and remained in the area searching for food ever since, said the divisional forest officer (DFO) Koderma, Saumitra Shukla. Speaking to TOI, he said the herd did not show signs of any aggression yet, and the situation is under control.

A six-member quick response team (QRT) is operating round the clock, supported by four forest guards who are maintaining a constant vigil on the movement of the herd. To help villagers protect their homes, the department distributed torches, traditional fire torches (masals), crackers, and oil.

The DFO said a special appeal to the public was made to avoid agitating the animals if they are spotted in fields. Villagers were advised to use the provided deterrents only to restrict the herd's entry into human habitations until the specialised teams can arrive to intervene.

The DFO said villagers were asked to submit their application for crop loss, and compensation will be paid soon.

The gravity of the situation is underscored by a rise in human-elephant conflicts across the state. In Koderma alone, six lives have been lost to date from 2023.

The DFO said the department is very serious and sensitive to prevent any elephant-man conflict and is taking all possible efforts in this regard.