Alert Sounded as Elephant Herd Moves Near Chandragiri

VIJAYAWADA: Deputy Chief Minister and forest and environment minister Pawan Kalyan has directed forest officials to alert and reassure residents of villages near Chandragiri in Tirupati district following the movement of an elephant herd near Erravaripalem.

Kalyan issued the directions during a teleconference with forest officials after receiving reports that elephants from the Seshachalam forest area were moving in two groups and damaging crops along forest fringes at night.

He directed officials to continuously monitor the elephants’ movements and use drones to track their routes while keeping residents informed. The Forest, Revenue and Police departments should work in close coordination to prevent loss of life and property, he said.

Special night patrols should be arranged in villages bordering forest areas, while residents should be advised not to venture into fields at night in vulnerable areas. Alerts should be issued through public-address systems, mobile messages and local information networks, he said.

Kalyan also instructed officials to deploy H.A.N.U.M.A.N. teams wherever necessary and ensure that field-level personnel remained alert round-the-clock.

He appealed to people to remain vigilant and follow the instructions issued by forest officials. As elephants had damaged standing crops, immediate compensation would be provided through the Forest Department after officials assessed the losses, he said.