Foresters trim bushes for the safe passage of the jumbos
Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Feb. 24 : Two separate herds of more than 20 elephants entered into the 192 sq km sanctuary the Dalma wildlife sanctuary on Saturday night.
So far over 90 elephants, including calves, have dropped anchor in the sprawling sanctuary.A forest guard said the herds moved into the sanctuary from the Patamda side. � The sanctuary is abuzz with activities. The elephants are scattered around the sanctuary,� he added.
Around 130 elephants had migrated to the jungles of West Midnapore and Bankura in Bengal in August-September last year. While most are back some, some are stationed in the jungles of Ghatshila and Dalbhumgarh in East Singhbhum.
The picturesque environ of Dalma is about to abuzz with activities with over a dozen tuskers assembled in the fringe areas of the sprawling 192 sq km sanctuary. The foresters have trimmed the bushes along the migratory route for the safe passage of the jumbos.
Abundance of water and fodder had held up jumbos in forest of neighbouring Bengal. Jumbos generally return home to the reserve by the end of February or at the most the first week of March.
Notably Dalma is the best elephant habitat of Jharkhand, where the pachyderms love to spend their summer. Dalma used to be pleasing with temperatures less than 30 degrees C. But due to rising mercury over the years the elephants started migration to green pastures The forest department has made arrangements to keep them anchored in Dalma, by providing water and greenery.
� We are keeping an eye on their movement. Two separate herds of about 22 elephants have already returned to the sanctuary while the rest are in the fringe pockets. They may be home anytime,� said Dalma range officer R P Singh.
A forester said villagers living near Aamdapahari, Jamdih and Jhunjka have informed them about the presence of the pachyderms. �Food and water is not scarce at these three jungles. The elephants are expected to stay there for some time but would leave once the temperature shoots up. The jumbos return home once after temperature rises. This is a usual trend,� he added.
Residents of Gerua village, which has found itself at the receiving end of jumbo attacks, have been especially asked to be on high alert. �Gerua comes along the migration corridor and elephants may divert to the village in search of high food,� a staff at the range office added.
