Ranchi: Forest officials in Khunti district have been placed on alert after a herd of eight elephants was spotted at Balakel village under Rania police station limits. The move follows last week’s tragic incident in Jariagarh, where elephants knocked down a mud hut, killing a woman, Etwari Barla, and her son. Her eight-year-old daughter sustained injuries in the attack.
Monitoring Herd Movement
Officials said the herd likely entered the district two to three days ago. While it has damaged standing crops, there have been no direct attacks on humans since the Jariagarh tragedy. Compensation for crop damage will be assessed with the help of local leaders and revenue staff.
Khunti Divisional Forest Officer Dilip Singh stated that department staff are closely monitoring the herd. “Normally, elephants do not attack unless provoked. They tend to remain in one place for a few days before moving on,” he explained.
Community Cooperation and Preventive Measures
Singh added that forest staff share real-time updates on elephant movement through a WhatsApp group. Villagers are also informed about forward movement to stay alert. Preventive measures, such as bursting crackers, are used when elephants come too close to human settlements.
He highlighted that Khunti district lies on an established elephant transit corridor spanning Simdega, Gumla, Khunti, Ranchi, and Lohardaga. With crops standing in fields, elephant visits are expected to increase. Singh noted that Khunti’s dense forests and water bodies make it a favorable habitat for the animals.
