‘Ramlal’ breaks into rice storage, later damages temple wall
Forest department’s quick response team drives away wild tusker after night of chaos
JAMSHEDPUR – A wild elephant, locally known as ‘Ramlal’, broke into a Food Corporation of India (FCI) warehouse in Ward No. 10 of Chakulia on Friday night, causing panic and damage.
The tusker broke through the main gate of the FCI compound and targeted Godown No. 2A, destroying its shutter to access stored rice.
"The elephant consumed rice from several bags it managed to open," a warehouse official stated.
The forest department’s quick response team arrived promptly, using torches to drive the elephant away from the premises.
Residents of the nearby Beedi Basti expressed fear as the elephant’s presence created a tense atmosphere in the area.
Early Saturday morning, the same elephant, identified as Ramlal, reached the Nagababa temple near the airstrip.
"The temple’s boundary wall was damaged by the elephant, which remained in the premises for hours," a local resident reported.
This incident highlights the growing human-elephant conflict in the region:
– Elephants frequently raid the FCI warehouse in search of food
– Local communities live in constant fear of such incursions
– The forest department faces challenges in managing wild elephant populations
Wildlife experts emphasize the need for long-term solutions to mitigate human-elephant conflict in Chakulia and surrounding areas.
Authorities are likely to review security measures at the FCI warehouse to prevent future elephant break-ins.
