Chikkamagaluru District Imposes Restrictions Due to Wild Elephant Herd Near Residential Areas

In response to a herd of wild elephants approaching residential areas in Chikkamagaluru, the district administration has implemented movement restrictions in 13 villages across two gram panchayats and declared a holiday for educational institutions on November 11 to ensure public safety. The decision was made after the herd was sighted near several villages, with forest department teams working to guide the elephants back to their natural habitat.

Chikkamagaluru Deputy Commissioner Meena Nagaraj confirmed that the restrictions would remain in place until the situation is resolved, with school closures potentially extending to Tuesday if necessary. Superintendent of Police Vikram Amate reported that the herd had been spotted near the Magtihalli and Vastare panchayats since the previous week. The police are assisting forest officials in preventing residents from approaching the elephants during the operation.

Elephant activity has been noted near villages including Mattavar, Dambadahalli, and Kadrimidri in the Magtihalli area, and Aaladagudde, Samse, and Dinnekere in Vastare. The herd, consisting of 10 to 12 elephants, has also caused considerable crop damage, particularly in the coffee fields of Marikatti village, an area well-known for coffee cultivation.

Authorities are continuing efforts to safely return the elephants to the forest.

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