Human-elephant conflict continues to intensify in Chhattisgarh’s Korba district after two tusker elephants entered Geetkunwari village and destroyed standing paddy crops during the night. Forest officials confirmed that a total of 53 elephants are currently moving across different parts of the district in four separate groups.

The latest incident has created panic among villagers living near forest areas and has become a major India News Update linked to wildlife movement and crop destruction in the region. According to forest department officials, the two tusker elephants entered Geetkunwari village under the Kudmura range late on Thursday night after moving from the Dharamjaigarh forest division area.

The elephants reportedly entered agricultural fields and trampled several acres of standing paddy crops that were nearly ready for harvest. Farmers said they tried to drive the elephants away by shouting loudly and lighting torches, but the animals continued moving through the fields for a considerable time. By the time villagers managed to push them back toward the forest, substantial crop damage had already occurred.

Residents of the village said many farmers suffered major losses because the paddy crop was in the final stage before harvesting. Forest officials stated that the elephant movement is part of a larger pattern being witnessed across the district during the summer season.

A massive herd of 48 elephants has currently camped near Meud hill under the Jatga range of the Katghora forest division. Officials said the herd has remained active in the area since March after moving from Kukrichakhar near Katorimoti. According to the forest department, Meud hill provides abundant food and water sources, making it a preferred seasonal habitat for elephants during the summer months.

The area reportedly spreads across more than 5,000 hectares and contains sufficient vegetation, bamboo and water bodies that support large elephant groups. Officials explained that elephant herds generally remain in the Jatga range for nearly two-and-a-half to three months every year during the summer season. However, at times the animals descend from the hills and move toward nearby villages in search of food.

This recurring movement often leads to crop destruction and rising tension among villagers living near forest boundaries. The latest incident has increased fear among residents of Kudmura, Jatga and Pasan regions. Villagers said they are unable to guard their crops properly because elephant movement increases after sunset. Many families reportedly remain indoors at night due to fear of sudden encounters with elephants.

Forest department teams have started awareness announcements in villages and are advising people to remain alert during night hours. Officials said elephant response teams and local “Hathi Mitra” groups are continuously monitoring the situation and sharing movement updates with villagers. Authorities have appealed to residents not to approach elephants alone or attempt to provoke them under any circumstances.

Forest department officials also requested villagers to immediately report elephant sightings so that response teams can take preventive action in time. Meanwhile, officials have started assessing the crop damage caused in Geetkunwari village. Compensation cases are being prepared for affected farmers under existing forest and wildlife damage relief provisions.

In addition to ground monitoring, the department is also using drone surveillance to track the movement of the large elephant herd near Meud hill. Officials said drone monitoring is helping teams observe the direction and behaviour of the herd so that nearby settlements can be alerted in advance if the animals move toward residential areas. Wildlife experts have repeatedly highlighted the growing human-elephant conflict in parts of Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand due to shrinking forest corridors and changing movement patterns of elephants.

In Korba district, incidents involving crop damage, property destruction and occasional attacks on villagers have been reported frequently over the past few years. Local residents have demanded stronger preventive measures, including solar fencing, early warning systems and better compensation support for farmers facing repeated crop losses.

Officials stated that efforts are underway to balance wildlife conservation with the safety of villagers living near forest regions. The latest elephant movement has once again brought attention to the challenges faced by rural communities situated close to elephant corridors and forest zones.

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