Elephant death triggers mourning in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum, villagers fast

Chaibasa, July 11: A wave of grief swept through the quiet forests of Saranda after the tragic death of a female elephant on Thursday night. The incident marked the third elephant death in the region in a short span, leaving the villagers heartbroken and the once-lively forest cloaked in mourning.

Earlier in the day, an elephant died in Serengasia village, and by nightfall, an injured baby elephant, previously wounded in an IED blast, succumbed during treatment in Manoharpur. These back-to-back losses had shaken the community and triggered a strong emotional response from the local residents.

In a symbolic act of grief and protest, villagers in both Serengasia and Manoharpur did not light their stoves, observing a day-long fast to mourn the innocent lives lost. The entire atmosphere remained somber.

As sorrow turned into frustration, questions were raised about the functioning of the forest department and the administration, with locals criticizing what they perceived as negligence and inaction in protecting wildlife.

Once a peaceful sanctuary echoing with the footsteps of wild elephants, Saranda now finds itself grappling with tragedy and rising concern for its vulnerable animal population