H D Kote: A pair of wild elephants strayed into Hampapura village in H D Kote taluk of Mysuru district in the early hours of Tuesday, entering a petrol bunk and damaging a shed and an autorickshaw parked nearby.
The unexpected arrival of the elephants created panic among residents, who were alarmed to find the animals moving through the village during the early morning hours.
The elephants reportedly entered the premises of a petrol bunk and caused damage to the sheets of a shed. An autorickshaw parked near the site was also damaged during the incident.
No casualties reported
As the incident occurred in the early hours, there were no people present at the petrol bunk at the time. This helped avert a potentially serious tragedy, as the presence of the elephants in the premises could otherwise have resulted in injuries to workers or residents.
The movement of the elephants was captured by CCTV cameras installed at the petrol bunk. The footage is expected to provide details of the animals’ movements as they entered and moved through the premises.
The incident once again highlights the increasing encounters between wild elephants and human settlements in parts of the Mysuru region.
Villagers seek permanent solution
According to residents, incidents involving wild elephants entering villages in the area have occurred several times in the past. The repeated movement of elephants into inhabited areas has caused considerable fear among local residents.
Villagers said they were particularly concerned about the possibility of an encounter between elephants and people, especially when the animals enter residential areas, roads or commercial premises.
They urged the Forest Department to take steps to prevent such incidents and find a permanent solution to the recurring human-elephant conflict in the region.
Residents also expressed concern that damage to property could increase if elephants continue to enter the village. While the latest incident did not result in any human casualties, the damage to the shed and autorickshaw has added to concerns over the safety of people and their belongings.
The villagers have sought effective measures to keep wild elephants away from human habitation and reduce the possibility of future encounters.
The incident comes amid continuing concerns over human-wildlife conflict in parts of Karnataka, particularly in areas adjoining forest habitats. For communities living close to forest regions, the movement of elephants into villages can pose a serious threat to both public safety and property.
The residents have therefore appealed to the Forest Department to assess the elephant movement in the area and take appropriate preventive measures before another incident occurs.