Wild Elephant Enters Kushputul Village in Nimdih, Panic Grips Residents

Seraikela: Panic spread across Kushputul Sirka village under the Chandil forest range in Nimdih block after a wild elephant strayed into the locality late on Saturday night. The incident occurred between 10 pm and 10:30 pm along the Bartal road area, leaving villagers terrified as the jumbo moved dangerously close to residential houses.

Villagers Chase Elephant Back Into Forest

According to local residents, no forest department personnel were present when the elephant entered the village. With fear mounting rapidly, villagers took the initiative to protect themselves and their property.

Using torches, loud noises, and coordinated efforts, residents managed to drive the elephant away from the settlement and back toward the forest area after a tense struggle.

Villagers said that any delay or lapse in response could have resulted in serious damage to lives and property.

Questions Raised Over Forest Department Preparedness

The incident has triggered strong resentment among local residents, who alleged that the Forest Department has failed to establish effective preventive measures despite repeated elephant movement in the region.

People claimed there is no permanent surveillance mechanism or quick-response infrastructure in place in the elephant-prone villages adjoining the Dalma region.

Residents further alleged that forest officials often arrive only after such incidents occur.

Demand to Declare Area ‘Elephant-Sensitive Zone’

Following the incident, villagers and farmers demanded that Kushputul and nearby areas be officially declared an “Elephant-Sensitive Zone.”

The residents placed several demands before the administration, including:

• Regular night patrolling by forest officials
• Installation of solar fencing systems
• Permanent elephant surveillance mechanisms
• Use of drones and camera traps for monitoring elephant movement
• Faster compensation for crop and property damage

Social Worker Urges Villagers to Remain Alert

Local social worker Samir Kumar Mahato appealed to residents of surrounding villages to remain cautious during night hours.

He advised villagers to carry torches while stepping out at night and immediately inform the Forest Department or local administration if elephants or suspicious wildlife movement are spotted nearby.

Forest Department Issues Alert

Although the Chandil Forest Range Officer could not be contacted for an official statement, departmental sources confirmed that an alert has been issued across villages adjoining the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary.

Officials stated that a Quick Response Team has been mobilized and compensation for any crop damage would be assessed according to government norms.

Human-Elephant Conflict Continues in Dalma Belt

The Nimdih, Chandil, and Ichagarh regions located near the Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary witness recurring incidents of human-elephant conflict every year.

Experts believe shrinking forest resources and habitat disturbances are increasingly forcing elephants to move closer to human settlements, intensifying conflict in rural areas of Saraikela-Kharsawan district.