Saragur: A 62-year-old farmer was killed and another injured after a wild elephant attacked them while they were travelling on a motorcycle near Kadagere village in Saragur taluk on Monday. The deceased has been identified as Veerabhadregowda, while the injured farmer, Mahesh, is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Saragur.
The incident occurred when the two farmers were travelling from Kadagere village for a health-related visit. The wild elephant had reportedly moved out of the Hediyala Forest Range in the Bandipur Tiger Reserve in search of food and water and had remained in an agricultural field in the area.
Elephant attacks farmers on motorcycle
According to the report, the elephant had ventured out of the forest area on Sunday night and stayed in an agricultural field near Kadagere.
After receiving information about the elephant’s presence, Forest Department officials and staff reached the area on Monday morning and began efforts to drive the animal back towards the forest.
Around the same time, farmers Veerabhadregowda and Mahesh were travelling from Kadagere village to undergo a blood sugar test. As they passed through the area, the elephant suddenly attacked them.
The two farmers fell from the motorcycle following the attack and sustained injuries.
Mahesh suffered minor injuries and was taken for treatment at Vivekananda Hospital in Saragur. Veerabhadregowda, however, sustained serious injuries.
Farmer dies while being shifted to hospital
Forest Department personnel immediately took steps to shift the critically injured Veerabhadregowda to a hospital.
He was being transported in a Forest Department vehicle when his condition reportedly worsened. He died on the way to the hospital.
The sudden death caused shock among residents of Kadagere and surrounding villages, where concerns over encounters between people and wild elephants have been raised.
News of the incident prompted local residents and farmer leaders to reach the spot.
Residents seek protection from wild elephants
Following Veerabhadregowda’s death, residents of Kadagere and farmer leaders expressed their concern over the presence of wild elephants near agricultural and residential areas.
They sought stronger measures from the Forest Department to prevent such incidents and demanded protection for people living and working close to forest areas.
The aggrieved residents reportedly objected to shifting the deceased farmer’s body for post-mortem until their concerns were addressed.
The incident has once again brought attention to the challenges faced by farming communities living close to forest boundaries, particularly in areas where elephants move out of forest habitats in search of food and water.
MLA seeks compensation for family
Saragur MLA Anil Chikkamadu contacted Forest Department officials following the incident and urged them to provide compensation to the family of the deceased farmer.
The MLA also called for steps to address the concerns raised by residents following the elephant attack.
Following the MLA’s instructions, his wife Sowmya visited the spot and held discussions with Forest Department officials. She also urged the department to provide the compensation available under the State Government’s provisions for such incidents.
The discussions focused on providing assistance to the bereaved family and addressing the concerns of residents and farmers in the area.
Forest Department announces Rs. 20 lakh compensation
DCF Shubham Singh Tanwar expressed his condolences over the death of Veerabhadregowda and said additional Forest Department staff would be deployed in the region to prevent similar incidents.
The department announced a Rs. 20 lakh compensation for the deceased farmer’s family.
In addition, the Forest Department said one member of the family would be provided employment on a contractual basis. The department also announced a monthly pension of Rs. 4,000 for Veerabhadregowda’s wife for five years.
The measures were announced as part of the response to the fatal elephant attack and the demands raised by local residents.
Security and forest officials reach spot
Senior police and Forest Department personnel were present at the location following the incident.
Saragur Deputy Superintendent of Police Ravi, Circle Inspectors Prasanna Kumar and Gangadhar, Sub-Inspectors R. Kiran and Chandrahas, along with other police personnel, provided security at the spot.
Assistant Conservators of Forests D. Paramesh and Madhudevaiah and Range Forest Officers Krishna, Anithraj and Narayan were also present.
The presence of police personnel helped maintain security while discussions were held with residents and farmer leaders following the death.
Human-elephant conflict remains a concern
The incident has highlighted the continuing challenges of human-elephant conflict in parts of the Mysuru region.
Elephants can travel beyond forest boundaries in search of food and water, bringing them into contact with agricultural fields and people living in villages near forest areas. Such encounters can turn dangerous when people unexpectedly come close to the animals.
In this case, the elephant had reportedly remained in an agricultural field after moving out of the Hediyala Forest Range. Forest personnel had already reached the location and were attempting to drive the animal back into the forest when the farmers encountered it.
The circumstances underline the risks faced by farmers who travel or work in areas frequented by wild elephants.
More staff to be deployed in affected area
The Forest Department has said that additional personnel will be deployed in the region as part of efforts to prevent similar incidents.
Monitoring elephant movement and responding quickly when animals enter agricultural areas are among the challenges faced by officials in forest-border villages.
The compensation and other assistance announced for Veerabhadregowda’s family are expected to provide immediate support following his death, while the proposed deployment of additional staff is aimed at improving monitoring and reducing the possibility of further encounters.
Conclusion
The death of 62-year-old farmer Veerabhadregowda in a wild elephant attack has caused concern among residents of Kadagere and surrounding areas in Saragur. Another farmer, Mahesh, sustained minor injuries and is receiving treatment. The Forest Department has announced Rs. 20 lakh compensation, contractual employment for one family member and a monthly pension of Rs. 4,000 for the deceased farmer’s wife for five years. Additional forest staff will also be deployed in the area.