Chaibasa: West Singhbhum district has been put on high alert after a rogue elephant triggered panic by carrying out multiple attacks in the region. In response, the Forest, Environment, and Climate Change Department has stepped up precautionary measures to safeguard residents living in vulnerable areas.
According to officials, continuous monitoring of elephant movement is underway with the help of thermal-enabled drone cameras. The surveillance aims to track the animal’s location in real time, issue timely alerts to nearby villages, and prevent further human–wildlife conflict.
Authorities have urged residents, particularly those in forest-adjacent areas around Chaibasa, to remain vigilant and follow advisories issued by the forest department as efforts continue to control the situation.
Senior Officials Camp in District Headquarters
As per the instructions of the department’s secretary, Abu Bakar Siddiqui, extensive monitoring and rapid response systems have been activated in the Chaibasa and Kolhan forest divisions. Senior officers, including the RCCF Jamshedpur and CF Chaibasa, are camping at the district headquarters to closely monitor developments on the ground.
Special teams formed in both forest divisions are carrying out round-the-clock surveillance. Public announcements are being made in affected villages to alert people about elephant movement. Torches and firecrackers have also been distributed to help residents remain alert and deter the animal from entering human habitations.
Quick Response Team Deployed
A Quick Response Team has been deployed for immediate action in case of elephant movement near populated areas. Since January 4, a team of experts from West Bengal has been working in the district to guide efforts aimed at driving elephants away from settlements and preventing loss of life and property.
Formal discussions were held on January 6, 2026, with Vanatara, Jamnagar, Gujarat, on the possibility of tranquilizing and relocating the problematic elephant. Further talks took place on January 7, 2026, with Wildlife SOS and the Mobile Veterinary Unit, Keonjhar, Odisha. Following the discussions, the MVU Keonjhar (WTI) team reached Chaibasa the same evening.
A committee under the chairmanship of the CCF Wildlife has been constituted and will camp at the affected site to take necessary decisions. Continuous monitoring of elephant movement is being carried out using thermal drone cameras.
Relief and Medical Support to Victims
The process of providing ex-gratia assistance and compensation to affected families has been initiated as per rules. Those injured in elephant attacks have been admitted to hospitals and are receiving medical treatment.
Experts Roped In, Public Urged to Stay Vigilant
The PCCF Wildlife is personally visiting Chaibasa to review the situation, while experts from the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, have also been called in. The forest department has appealed to people to remain vigilant and strictly follow instructions issued by the administration to prevent further incidents.
