Jumbo Menace Leads To 11 Deaths, Huge Crop Loss In AP's Manyam Region
ETV Bharat
March 24, 2025
The elephant menace continues to haunt the Manyam region in the
Parvathipuram Manyam district of Andhra Pradesh as locals live in fear of
surprise attacks on their villages. The elephants roam together, posing a
threat to the locals as 11 people have lost their lives to jumbo attacks so
far this year and a huge amount of crops has been damaged.
Adding to their woes, Operation Gaja, which was launched to drive back
jumbos to Odisha, was halted midway after the death of a pachyderm. Even
the plan to shift the herd to the Visakhapatnam Zoo was dropped due to
feasibility issues.
Elephants first entered the Kurupam forest area in 1998 and left after a
while. However, they returned in 1999, 2007 and 2008, frequently creating
damages to standing crops and properties around Kurupam, Gummalakshmipuram,
Jiyyammavalasa, Seethampeta and Veeraghattam.
Six years ago, a herd of eight tuskers entered Komarada Mandal. Four of
them died after staying in the Kurupam constituency and one got separated
from the herd with no whereabouts yet. Meanwhile, the birth of four
elephant cubs added to the strength of the herd.
Massive Crop Losses
By December 2024, standing crops spread over 3,305 acres were destroyed by
the herd and another 630 acres were damaged in 2025 so far. Compensation
worth Rs three crore was awarded to the croppers who faced insurmountable
damages. Plans were drawn up to set up exclusive elephant zones in
Janthikonda and JK Padu in Saluru and Kurupam limits. Around 1,209 acres of
forest land have been identified, but no visible action has been taken yet.
Forest officer G A P Prasuna said trenches are being dug across 1,100 acres
at Guchimi in Sitanagaram Mandal as part of the elephant zone. However,
some locals are obstructing it. "We will overcome these hurdles, protect
the elephants and ensure public safety," she added.
https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!bharat/jumbo-menace-leads-to-11-deaths-huge-crop-loss-in-aps-manyam-region-enn25032402745
Jumbo Menace Leads To 11 Deaths, Huge Crop Loss In AP's Manyam Region
ETV Bharat
March 24, 2025
The elephant menace continues to haunt the Manyam region in the
Parvathipuram Manyam district of Andhra Pradesh as locals live in fear of
surprise attacks on their villages. The elephants roam together, posing a
threat to the locals as 11 people have lost their lives to jumbo attacks so
far this year and a huge amount of crops has been damaged.
Adding to their woes, Operation Gaja, which was launched to drive back
jumbos to Odisha, was halted midway after the death of a pachyderm. Even
the plan to shift the herd to the Visakhapatnam Zoo was dropped due to
feasibility issues.
Elephants first entered the Kurupam forest area in 1998 and left after a
while. However, they returned in 1999, 2007 and 2008, frequently creating
damages to standing crops and properties around Kurupam, Gummalakshmipuram,
Jiyyammavalasa, Seethampeta and Veeraghattam.
Six years ago, a herd of eight tuskers entered Komarada Mandal. Four of
them died after staying in the Kurupam constituency and one got separated
from the herd with no whereabouts yet. Meanwhile, the birth of four
elephant cubs added to the strength of the herd.
Massive Crop Losses
By December 2024, standing crops spread over 3,305 acres were destroyed by
the herd and another 630 acres were damaged in 2025 so far. Compensation
worth Rs three crore was awarded to the croppers who faced insurmountable
damages. Plans were drawn up to set up exclusive elephant zones in
Janthikonda and JK Padu in Saluru and Kurupam limits. Around 1,209 acres of
forest land have been identified, but no visible action has been taken yet.
Forest officer G A P Prasuna said trenches are being dug across 1,100 acres
at Guchimi in Sitanagaram Mandal as part of the elephant zone. However,
some locals are obstructing it. "We will overcome these hurdles, protect
the elephants and ensure public safety," she added.
https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!bharat/jumbo-menace-leads-to-11-deaths-huge-crop-loss-in-aps-manyam-region-enn25032402745
