Jumbo herd wreaks havoc Elephants target grain stocks at homes

"Our house was attacked from two sides. We were terrified. Besides taking away the maize stock, the elephants damaged a bed and a chair kept on the veranda. We stay cooped up inside the house and came out only after an hour after the herd left," he added.

Divisional forest officer of Dhanbad Saurabh Chandra said a quick response team was deputed towards the western side of Tundi Pahad where the herd was staying for the last three days after its arrival from Giridih.

"We didn't expect the elephants to come down from the eastern side as it was not the usual route. Our team comprising 15 persons, including torchmen and members of quick response team, reached the village around 2.30pm," he said.

According to Chandra, the preliminary report suggests that at least eight houses had been damaged.

"We will provide compensation to all eight families within 15 days of the submission of application. The compensation amount will be decided after the detailed assessment of damage and its extent. It will also depend on whether the house was kachha or pucca," he said.

The divisional forest officer said their immediate plan was to restrict the herd to Tundi Pahad.

"it would serve as an ideal place for the elephants because of its dense foliage and presence of water" Chandra said, added that they also requesting people not to keep mahua in their houses as elephants are attracted by its smell.

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