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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Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Friday announced a major expansion in the state’s wheat procurement programme, allowing all eligible farmers to sell their produce amid record output this season. Addressing farmers in the state, the Chief Minister said the government had increased the wheat procurement target from 78 lakh metric tonnes to 100 lakh metric tonnes to ensure wider market access.

The announcement marks a significant shift in Madhya Pradesh wheat procurement policy, with the state seeking to absorb higher arrivals and reduce distress sales in the open market.

Six-Day Purchase Plan

Under the revised arrangement, wheat procurement will now take place six days a week across the state. Procurement centres, which earlier remained shut on Saturdays, will now operate on that day as well.

Officials said the move is aimed at easing pressure on procurement centres and reducing waiting time for farmers during the peak arrival period. According to officials, the extended schedule is expected to improve daily lifting and speed up the purchase process.

Slot Booking Extended

In another key relief measure, the state government extended the deadline for wheat procurement slot booking from April 30 to May 9. The booking window has also been opened for all farmers across Madhya Pradesh, removing restrictions that had limited access in some cases.

The Chief Minister said the extension would help ensure that no farmer is left out of the procurement cycle. As per reports, the decision was taken after feedback from farmers and local officials over delays in registration and scheduling.

Farmers at Centre

Calling farmers the foundation of the state’s development, Yadav said the government had dedicated this year as “Kisan Kalyan Varsh” and would prioritise farm-sector reforms. He said the revised wheat procurement policy was designed to support small, medium and large farmers alike.

At present, wheat sales in government procurement are linked to land records and fixed productivity norms. This means farmers can sell only the quantity estimated on the basis of acreage and notified yield. The latest changes are expected to widen access, particularly for those reporting higher production this year.

Broader Farm Measures

The Chief Minister also announced a series of agriculture-focused measures beyond Madhya Pradesh wheat procurement. He said farmers would receive up to four times compensation under land acquisition provisions and added that the state was pushing irrigation expansion, crop diversification and modern farm technologies.

On pulses, he said urad would be procured at minimum support price and farmers would receive a bonus of Rs 600 per quintal. He also said agricultural pump connections were being provided for Rs 5 and solar pumps under the Krishak Mitra Yojana were being offered with 90 per cent subsidy.

According to officials, the state has also stocked 5.90 lakh metric tonnes of urea this year, higher than last year, to ensure adequate fertiliser supply during the farm season.

Congress Hits Back

The Opposition Congress criticised the Chief Minister’s address, calling it a bundle of announcements without adequate execution on the ground. State Congress chief Jitu Patwari questioned the pace of procurement, slot booking delays and electricity supply to farmers.

He alleged that wheat procurement remained slow and claimed many farmers were still being forced to sell in the open market at lower rates. Patwari also raised concerns over transparency in farm schemes and sought clarity on support for soybean, paddy and moong growers.

What Lies Ahead

The state government will now face the challenge of implementing the expanded Madhya Pradesh wheat procurement plan without logistical disruptions. With arrivals expected to remain high in the coming weeks, procurement efficiency, timely payments and centre-level coordination will remain under close watch.