What Happened in Shahdol District as Elephants Trample Two to Death?
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Synopsis
In a heart-wrenching tragedy in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh, two individuals lost their lives due to elephant attacks while collecting tendu leaves. This article explores the incidents, the growing human-elephant conflicts, and the measures being taken to mitigate such heartbreaking occurrences.
Key Takeaways
- Two individuals tragically lost their lives due to elephant attacks in Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh.
- The victims were collecting tendu leaves when they were ambushed by elephants.
- A government initiative aims to mitigate human-elephant conflicts in the region.
- Forest officials report significant elephant populations in the area.
- Community training is crucial for reducing future incidents.
Shahdol (Madhya Pradesh), May 19 (NationPress) In two tragic occurrences, a group of elephants claimed the lives of two individuals, including a woman, in the Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh on Monday.
The deceased have been identified as Umesh Kaul, aged 40, and Devgania Baiga, aged 65. They were attacked by the aggressive elephants within the dense confines of the Godawal Reserve Forest Area.
According to sub-divisional police officer Ravi Prakash Kol, the victims had entered the forest at dawn to gather tendu leaves when disaster struck.
Eyewitnesses described a horrifying scene as the elephants suddenly encircled Umesh, causing other collectors of tendu leaves to flee in terror. Immediate alerts were sent to forest department officials, but assistance arrived too late.
Umesh, a resident of Sannausi village, had ventured into the forest with his wife. As two wild elephants appeared, his wife managed to escape by climbing a tree in sheer desperation while watching her husband being trampled to death, the officer reported.
In a similar incident just one kilometre away in Doda forest, another victim, Devgania Baiga (65), was gathering tendu leaves when she was caught by surprise by the advancing elephants. Despite her desperate cries for help, she was crushed underfoot.
When the forest department team arrived at the scene, they found both victims' lifeless bodies. “Post-mortem examinations are currently underway,” stated the police officer.
Reports indicate that these elephants, having migrated from Bandhavgarh Sanctuary, are moving towards Beohari from Sidhi, raising alarm among local villagers. Past incidents of crop destruction and property damage have instilled significant fear in the communities as human-elephant conflicts continue to surge in the area.
The collection of tendu leaves is a vital source of income for tribal communities in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. To address the ongoing conflicts, particularly in southeastern Madhya Pradesh—where elephants frequently traverse a specific forest corridor and raid agricultural land—the government approved a Rs 47-crore Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation Plan on May 13. This initiative aims to train local farmers and rural communities in effective strategies to manage sudden encounters, drive elephants away from crops, and reduce losses to agriculture, property, and livelihoods, as stated by Urban Development Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya.
Forest officials report that over 150 wild elephants regularly inhabit the Bandhavgarh and Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserves. These elephants often migrate from neighboring Chhattisgarh, encroaching on human settlements, particularly tribal villages, thereby increasing the likelihood of confrontations, crop damage, and property loss.
Point of View
This tragedy in Madhya Pradesh underscores the urgent need for effective wildlife management and community engagement. As human-elephant conflicts escalate, it is imperative that both the government and local communities collaborate to create sustainable solutions that protect lives while preserving the ecological balance. Nation must stand united in addressing these challenges.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the elephant attacks in Shahdol?
The attacks were caused by elephants that have migrated from Bandhavgarh Sanctuary, which led to confrontations with local residents gathering tendu leaves.
How many elephants are in the Bandhavgarh region?
Over 150 wild elephants are reported to inhabit the Bandhavgarh and Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserves.
What measures are being taken to prevent future conflicts?
The government has approved a Rs 47-crore Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation Plan to train local farmers in managing encounters with elephants.
