The village of Nadpalu in Hebri taluk is once again grappling with the menace of a lone elephant. Over the past week, this elephant has caused significant damage, particularly targeting jackfruit and areca nut trees, and trampling paddy fields, disrupting newly planted crops.
In a recent incident, the elephant damaged the property of Usha Shetty in Nellikatte Kedalamakki, knocking down jackfruit and areca nut trees and trampling freshly sown paddy fields, causing substantial agricultural loss. Another resident, Subraya Acharya of Bobbar Betu, reported damage to his pipeline and nearby jackfruit trees.
The elephant’s preference appears to be jackfruit trees. Over the past 15 days, it has been observed consuming jackfruit leaves and fruits and occasionally stripping areca nut trees for their tender inner parts. The Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, within the Agumbe region, lacks banyan trees, leading the elephant to feed on jackfruit and areca nut trees.
During a nighttime incident at Usha Shetty’s residence, the elephant was scared off when lights were turned on as it broke branches of a jackfruit tree. Similarly, about 15 days ago, the elephant attacked Meena Poojarti’s house, destroying jackfruit, coconut, and banana trees. Villagers protested against the Forest Department, demanding action.
At the Janaspandana meeting led by the Udupi deputy commissioner at the Hebri taluk office, the elephant menace was raised. The Forest Department has initiated measures to drive the elephant back into the forest.
According to the Forest Department, this lone elephant has roamed for the past 30 years, traveling from Kukke Subramanya in Sullia through various regions to Agumbe and Nagar Hosanagar. Despite its long journey, it has not caused any human casualties so far.