NewsKarnataka-Siddapura

Siddapura : The menace of wild elephants has increased in Kodagu district  forcing villagers to spend sleepless nights. Reports state that some elephants which have trespassed into human habitats are camping in coffee plantations.

It seems the efforts made to  chase the elephants  found in coffee plantations in Injilagere near Siddapur, have been a futile exercise. Recently two forest personnel named  Devayya, an officer and Armugam, a worker were also injured in their chasing effort while two journalists Mubarak and Nabi Ahmed escaped from the jaws of death. Sources say at least 22 elephants have made the coffee plantations their base.

The operation was taken up at the directions of Virajapete Deputy Conservator of Forests Dr Malathi Priya under the supervision of Assistant Forest officer Alexander. However, ten off the elephants  began to run amock.  Finally forest personnel burst crackers to ensure that the elephants ran away without harming anyone.

Among the 22 elephants there were four baby elephants  which are reigning supreme in the coffee plantations in Injilagere, Attitoppu and Raigodu forcing workers to stay back at home. Even children of the area  have abstained from school fearing the wild pachyderms.