Forest department officials in Krishnagiri district have issued a critical warning to residents of ten villages following the arrival of a massive elephant herd in the Sanamavu forest area. The department has specifically advised against entering forests for cattle grazing and cautioned people against nighttime movements or field guarding activities.
Elephant Migration Pattern Creates Annual Crisis
The current situation stems from the annual migration pattern where elephants from Karnataka forests traditionally move toward Andhra Pradesh through the Hosur forest division during October and November. This year, approximately 40 elephants have reached the Sanamavu forest area, creating significant concerns for local communities.
According to M Viswappa, a resident of Denkanikottai, the elephants have been actively entering nearby agricultural fields over the past two nights in search of food, resulting in substantial crop damage. The herd successfully crossed the Hosur-Uddanapalli road and moved into the Sanamavu forest area on Wednesday morning.
Safety Concerns and Previous Incidents
The urgency of the warning is underscored by tragic statistics from recent years. Migrating elephants have caused approximately 20 human fatalities within the district over the last two years, highlighting the serious threat to local residents.
Meanwhile, forest officials have reported additional elephant activity in the region. A lone elephant was spotted roaming on the Uddanapalli road in Kelamangalam village near Denkanikottai. The forest department received specific information about this solitary elephant moving in the forest area adjacent to the government polytechnic college located along the Kelamangalam-Uddanapalli road.
Agricultural Impact and Farmer Demands
The elephant presence has already resulted in significant agricultural losses across multiple villages. Crop destruction has been reported in Anchetty, Cinigiripalli, Anumanthapuram, and Birjepalli, with farmers expressing growing frustration over the repeated damage to their livelihoods.
Local agricultural communities have strongly demanded that forest authorities take immediate action to drive the elephants away from their farming areas. The recurring nature of this annual migration has created ongoing tension between wildlife conservation efforts and the protection of agricultural interests in the region.
Forest department officials continue to monitor the situation closely while implementing safety protocols to minimize human-animal conflict during this critical migration period.
