Virajpet: Operation to drive three wild tuskers back into forest to continue

Forest officials in Virajpet taluk commenced an operation on Tuesday to capture three wild tuskers and drive them back into the forest, but were unsuccessful in their efforts during the dawn-to-dusk exercise. Deputy Conservator of Forests Abhishek announced that the operation would resume on Wednesday, August 19.

The operation gained urgency after a plantation worker, Gopal, was killed by an elephant in Maldare on Monday, August 17. Another worker sustained injuries in the attack. The incident prompted anger among workers and residents, who staged a protest in Siddapur, alleging that such incidents were becoming increasingly common and criticizing the Forest Department for its lack of action in addressing the human-elephant conflict.

In response to the attack, prohibitory orders were imposed on 11 villages in the taluk by Virajpet tahsildar from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The orders aimed to maintain law and order during the Forest Department's operation to safely remove the elephants from human settlements. Captive elephants from the Dubare camp were enlisted for the operation. Forest authorities initiated the exercise to secure the elephants' return to their natural habitat away from populated areas.

Residents were advised against lighting fireworks, and the sale and consumption of alcohol in the affected villages were also banned during the operation. Private vehicle entry into the villages where the prohibitory orders were in place was likewise prohibited as a precautionary measure.