Forest Dept. bursts crackers to scare away elephants

By Govind D.Belgaumkar

BANGALORE, OCT. 16. In one of the biggest drives launched to drive elephants into forests, the Bangalore Urban Division personnel of the Forest Department, have bought crackers worth Rs. 50,000.

Sources said that nearly 60 personnel had been working in two shifts to drive the elephants into the Bannerghatta National Park and the adjoining forests. Till last night, the elephants, which were spotted near B.M.Kaval, were driven into the forest up to about 10 km.

There villagers on Kanakapura Road were worried as the animals, which were straying into their farms, had destroyed standing crops.

The department personnel are creating loud noise by bursting crackers, and by beating drums and tin boxes, given by the villagers, some of whom are helping the team.

The operation, launched a week ago, is said to be the biggest in the past 10 years. A decade ago, the wild animals had strayed into the farms on Mysore Road and its surrounding areas, including the Bangalore University campus. The operation is being closely monitored by Mr. Vijaykumar Gogi, Deputy Conservator of Forest, Bangalore Urban Division. The teams consist of three assistant conservators of forest and their subordinates. It is learnt that Mr. M.M.Nissar, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Bangalore Urban Division, who led similar efforts 10 years ago, is leading the team this time also.

One of the forest officers involved in the operations said that a herd of about 30 elephants, including six calves, had been driven into the forest. He said the operation was being continued and it might take two days to drive the herd deep into the forest. ``Once they get into the forest, they will not come back,'' he said. As rains occurred in the past few days, the elephants would be able to find food in the forest.

As the herd included calves, it was moving slowly. ``The parents of the calves do not want to strain the young ones,'' he said. If any attempt was made to force the elephants to move fast, they would retaliate, he said. ``We have to use more crackers and increase the noise by beating the drums vigorously,'' he said.

Care is being taken to ensure that the animals are not hurt during the operation. Since the calves are with the herd, the officers are attempting avoid driving the animals towards trenches. The elephants prevent the young ones from going near the trenches.

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Section  : Southern States
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