Pendra (Chhattisgarh) [India], August 17 (HBTV): A herd of four wild elephants has created panic in Chhattisgarh's Marwahi Forest Division by damaging houses and crops, leaving villagers in fear.

Marwahi forest ranger Ramesh Kumar said, 'In the last seven days, elephants damaged 15-16 houses and also harmed crops. The assessment of the damaged houses is still ongoing, and a team is monitoring the movement of the elephants. They are doing this due to food scarcity.'

Villagers alleged that Marwahi Beat guards failed to provide early warnings or assistance.

Dhanesh Prajapati, a resident of the affected area, said, 'Yesterday, elephants came at 8:30 pm and destroyed my house. Family members are worried. Where will we go in the rainy season? Marwahi Beat guards are not doing anything; they just roam here and there in the vehicle. No early warning was given.'

Locals reported that the animals were separated from a larger group. Subadhra Prajapati, another resident, said, 'An elephant damaged 2-3 houses here. Someone mentioned that four elephants got separated from the herd, and one of them is now living alone, roaming around, and causing damage. The elephant came suddenly yesterday, which is why my house was damaged. There is nothing to eat or drink here. We are so afraid that we cannot sleep all night.'

Human-elephant conflict is common in Chhattisgarh, particularly in forested districts such as Marwahi, Korba, and Surguja. Experts attribute the rise in such incidents to the fragmentation of elephant corridors caused by agricultural expansion, mining, and infrastructure projects. Shrinking forests force elephants to enter villages in search of food and water, often leading to clashes with local populations.

According to forest officials and wildlife experts, elephant herds that stray from their traditional routes often become disoriented or aggressive, causing significant damage to property and posing a threat to human life.

(ANI)