Why Is a Rampaging Elephant Causing Chaos in Jharkhand’s Chaibasa?
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Synopsis
An aggressive elephant wreaks havoc in Jharkhand's Chaibasa, leading to tragic incidents that have claimed five lives in just three days. Residents are calling for urgent action to address the increasing conflicts between humans and wildlife.
Key Takeaways
- Five fatalities reported in three days due to elephant attacks.
- Escalating conflicts between humans and wildlife due to habitat loss.
- Community demanding immediate action from authorities.
- Expert team deployed to manage the situation.
- Historical data shows a high rate of elephant attacks in Jharkhand.
Chaibasa (Jharkhand), Jan 6 (NationPress) An aggressive wild elephant has instigated widespread fear in the Goilkera block of Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district, claiming the lives of five individuals in separate incidents over the past three days. The latest incident unfolded late on Monday night when the colossal beast attacked a family as they slept in their home.
Officials reported that the tusker began destructively demolishing the residence of Kundra Bahda, prompting his family to flee in terror. Tragically, Kundra Bahda, his son Kodma Bahda, and his daughter Samu Bahda were all trampled to death during the chaos.
Another family member, Jingi Bahda, suffered severe head injuries while attempting to escape. Initially receiving local treatment, she was subsequently transferred to Rourkela in neighboring Odisha due to her critical state.
The day before, on Sunday night, a 56-year-old woman named Jonga Kui met a similar fate in Bila Kundukocha village within the same block. She was reportedly asleep when the pachyderm invaded her home, resulting in her tragic demise. Her husband, Chandramohan Laguri, narrowly escaped unharmed.
Earlier, on Friday night, a 13-year-old boy named Renga Kaiyam was also trampled by elephants while sleeping in a barn located in the Saiyatwa forest area near Chaibasa.
According to forest department officials, the movement of this tusker has been monitored in Goilkera and surrounding areas for several days. In a bid to manage the situation, a 10-member expert team from West Bengal was deployed on Monday to guide the elephant back into the forest.
Official statistics indicate that 13 individuals have fallen victim to elephant attacks in West Singhbhum district over the last two months, with six of those fatalities occurring in Goilkera block alone. The escalating human encroachment on forest land has significantly reduced the elephants' habitat, leading to frequent conflicts between humans and wildlife.
This series of incidents has left villagers feeling anxious and frustrated, with many calling for a long-term solution to the elephant problem. Locals have also urged the forest department and district administration to expedite compensation for the families affected by these tragedies.
A recent report from the Wildlife Institute of India underscores the severity of the issue, revealing that Jharkhand has recorded 1,740 instances of elephant attacks from 2000 to 2023, resulting in 1,340 human fatalities.
From 2023 to 2025, approximately 200 individuals are reported to have died due to elephant attacks in Jharkhand.
Point of View
I recognize the gravity of the situation unfolding in Jharkhand, where human-wildlife conflict is becoming increasingly common due to habitat loss. The community's calls for immediate action and long-term solutions are not only justified but necessary to ensure the safety of both residents and elephants.
NationPress
08/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the elephant attacks in Jharkhand?
The elephant attacks in Jharkhand are primarily caused by human encroachments on forest land, leading to habitat loss for elephants and increased conflicts.
How many fatalities have been reported due to elephant attacks?
There have been 13 reported fatalities due to elephant attacks in West Singhbhum district over the past two months.
What actions are being taken to control the situation?
A 10-member expert team from West Bengal has been deployed to guide the elephant back into the forest and mitigate further conflicts.
What compensation is available for the affected families?
The local residents have urged the forest department and district administration to ensure swift compensation for families affected by the attacks.
How many elephant attacks have occurred in Jharkhand historically?
From 2000 to 2023, Jharkhand recorded 1,740 incidents of elephant attacks, resulting in 1,340 human deaths.
