Notorious Elephant ‘Ramlal’ and Wild Herd Retreat to Dalma Sanctuary, Border Villages on Alert

Jamshedpur: In a major relief for residents along the Chakulia-Baharagora border, the notorious wild elephant nicknamed ‘Ramlal’ is finally returning to the Dalma wildlife sanctuary. Forest department sources confirmed that Ramlal belongs to the Dalma Elephant Project. While Dalma elephants generally maintain a calm nature, this particular tusker strayed from his herd a few years ago and had been roaming the border areas since.

Herd Returns from Bengal Border

The forest department’s tracking team confirmed that a separate herd of seven to nine elephants, which had been camping in the Lodhasholi-Amatoli forest, is also gradually moving back toward the Dalma sanctuary zone. Forest officials believe the herd had originally crossed over toward the West Bengal border in search of food and water.

“Ramlal is a member of our old herd,” explained the Dalma Range Forest Officer. “Extreme summer heat and food scarcity often drive elephants out of Dalma toward the Bengal and Odisha borders. Our tracking teams have currently traced Ramlal and a few members of the herd in the Dalma foothill area.”

Villagers Advised to Remain Vigilant

While the elephants’ retreat brings immense relief to Chakulia and Baharagora villagers, the forest department has refused to withdraw its high alert. Officials warned that elephant movements remain highly unpredictable, and the herd could still damage standing crops in transit villages before securely entering the sanctuary.

Consequently, authorities have urged villagers not to guard their fields alone at night and strictly advised against provoking the tuskers with loud noises or fire. They have also asked locals to immediately report any elephant sightings to the central control room.

Dalma Steps Up Surveillance

Following reports of the elephants’ return, sanctuary authorities have intensified patrolling across Dalma. Staff is replenishing water holes and ensuring adequate fodder availability deep within the forest to prevent the animals from straying back into human settlements.

According to the forest department, elephant movements typically accelerate just before the arrival of the monsoon. To counter this, specialized tracking teams will remain deployed across border villages to monitor the situation closely.