After wandering for around seven months in Gadchiroli district, a herd of 23 elephants preferred to go back to Chhattisgarh recently. The elephants had migrated to this district from Chhattisgarh and reached to Gadchiroli probably to find out a suitable habitat.
This is for the first time that the jumbos in such a big number had crossed over from Chhattisgarh. Last year, two elephants had migrated from Chhattisgarh and stayed for a couple of days in Wadsa forest. It was an opportunity for the local tribal and other persons to see such a big animal for the first time in the district. Forestmen used to caution them for not going near to the elephants. One of the persons had to pay heavy price when he attempted to go near to the wild animals. One elephant tossed him and threw him that caused death of the person.
These 23 elephants moved through the jungles of Murumgaon, Dhanora, Malewada, Armori, Wadsa and other places. Two she-elephants even delivered two calves during the stay in Gadchiroli district. The jumbos used to stay at a place for some days and then move on to other places.
The local farmers had become worried as the elephants severely damaged their paddy crops in different fields. The animals had also damaged many houses and created havoc. However, Forest Department had deployed teams of field staff members to monitor the movement of jumbos and alert the villagers if moved towards their villages.
After a stay of around seven months in this forest-rich district, the herd finally went back to back to Chhattisgarh.
When contacted Dr Kishor Mankar, Conservator of Forest, said, this is for the first time that the elephants in large numbers had crossed over to this district. Forestmen were continuously monitoring the movement of the jumbos and took care of the locals. One of the elephants had injured one person, he added.
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