A wave of anxiety has swept across several villages in Jamui after a herd of 22 wild elephants invaded farmland on Thursday evening, resulting in significant destruction. The elephants trampled fields and consumed stored grain from barns, impacting farmers just before the harvest season. Villages such as Mandanadih, Jhagrudih, Dulauri, and Moglajor suffered the most, with residents spending the night in fear as the animals roamed the area. Forest department officials reported that the elephants crossed into Bihar from Jharkhand. Neeraj Pandey, the forest officer of Deori, confirmed the herd includes multiple calves and that teams are attempting to closely monitor their movements.
Pandey stated that efforts are being made to safely return the herd to the forest without harming the animals or endangering villagers. Chakai Forest Range Officer Abhimanyu Kumar mentioned that drones, torches, and firecrackers are being employed to direct the elephants away from human settlements. The crop destruction has led to substantial financial losses for farmers. Fields of pigeon pea, paddy, and potatoes have been completely devastated in various parts of the region. In Jhagrudih, the crops of Simon Murmu, Roshan Murmu, Islam Ansari, Nasiruddin Ansari, and Abul Kalam were obliterated. The elephants also scattered bundles of paddy intended for sale.
Farmland belonging to Pradeep Rai and Shyam Rai in Dulauri, as well as Rabul Ansari, Anwar Ansari, and Israfil Ansari in Moglajor, has also sustained significant damage, leaving families deeply concerned about their annual income. Police and forest officials have advised villagers to avoid fields after dark and to steer clear of the herd under any circumstances. Teams from Bhelwaghati and Chihra police stations are patrolling the affected areas throughout the night. Villagers have been instructed to promptly notify officials if they observe elephant movement. Authorities emphasize that safety is their primary concern, as any unexpected encounter with the herd could pose serious risks.
However, farmers express that the situation is becoming intolerable, with the conflict between wild elephants and villages recurring annually. Many families remained awake all night, vigilantly ensuring that the animals did not intrude upon their homes. The farmers have requested compensation from the administration for their losses along with a long-term strategy to prevent elephants from entering farmland in the future. For the time being, fear continues to loom over the region, and villagers remain apprehensive about the possibility of the herd’s return.