Tusker kills man in Korba as elephant herds flatten homes, crops in Raigarh
RAIPUR: A 55-year-old man was trampled to death by a tusker while collecting forest produce in Korba on Thursday, even as marauding elephant herds damaged at least eight houses and destroyed paddy nurseries and standing crops in neighbouring Raigarh district over the past two nights, highlighting the continuing human-elephant conflict in north Chhattisgarh.
The deceased, identified as Jahaj Singh Rathia of Pidiya village, had ventured into the forest between Pidiya and Turkitara villages on Thursday to collect mushrooms and mahua when he came face-to-face with a lone tusker.
Forest officials said the animal attacked before the victim could escape, killing him on the spot.
The death triggered protests from villagers, who accused the forest department of failing to prevent elephants from straying close to human settlements despite their prolonged presence in the area. They demanded immediate compensation for the bereaved family, increased night patrolling and long-term measures to keep elephants away from villages.
The deceased, identified as Jahaj Singh Rathia of Pidiya village, had ventured into the forest between Pidiya and Turkitara villages on Thursday to collect mushrooms and mahua when he came face-to-face with a lone tusker.
Forest officials said the animal attacked before the victim could escape, killing him on the spot.
The death triggered protests from villagers, who accused the forest department of failing to prevent elephants from straying close to human settlements despite their prolonged presence in the area. They demanded immediate compensation for the bereaved family, increased night patrolling and long-term measures to keep elephants away from villages.
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