A herd of wild elephants damaged ragi crops in Kurubarahundi village near Thalavadi, under the Jerahalli forest range, causing distress among farmers who have demanded compensation for their losses.
The incident occurred in a forest fringe area falling under the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve. In recent months, elephants have increasingly strayed out of dense forest areas and entered human habitations, resulting in repeated damage to agricultural fields.
According to the farmers, the elephant herd, which reportedly migrated from Karnataka, entered the agricultural land of a farmer, Sikkamadhe Gowda, and destroyed harvested ragi crops by trampling and feeding on them on Sunday night (December 21, 2025).
Farmers alleged that despite repeated complaints to officials of the Jerahalli forest range, no inspection was carried out. Expressing anguish over the inaction, they urged the Forest Department to assess the damage and provide compensation at the earliest.
Farmers also pointed out that incidents of elephants migrating from forest areas in Karnataka into Tamil Nadu’s border regions have increased in recent times. In particular, the Thalavadi region has witnessed frequent movement of elephant herds camping in plantations and agricultural lands, posing a serious threat to livelihoods.
Published – December 22, 2025 06:56 pm IST
