In a startling incident, a group of wild elephants broke through the boundary wall of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) office, causing significant damage to the property. The incident, which took place in Nagar Panchayat area of Chakulia, under East Singhbhum district, has raised concerns about human-wildlife conflict and the need for effective measures to mitigate such incidents.

The nuisance of wild elephants continues unabated in Chakulia Nagar Panchayat area. In the wee hours, the new market area of Nagar Panchayat resounds with the chirping of elephants. Last night, a wild elephant damaged the boundary wall of the water and sanitation department office complex adjacent to the block office located at ward number 10 at two places.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred late in the wee hours when a herd of wild elephants strayed into the vicinity of the PHED office. The elephants, in their quest for food and water, encountered the boundary wall and, with their sheer strength, managed to break through it, creating a breach in the compound.

The sound of crashing walls alerted the office staff, who were fortunately not present on the premises at the time. However, the damage caused by the elephants was extensive, with sections of the boundary wall collapsing and nearby structures being impacted. The authorities were immediately informed about the incident, and efforts are underway to assess the extent of the damage.

Wildlife officials and forest department personnel rushed to the scene to control the situation and ensure the safety of both the elephants and the local residents. Measures have been put in place to guide the elephants away from human settlements and towards their natural habitat. It is a challenging task that requires expertise and careful coordination to avoid any harm to both humans and animals.

This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing conflict between human activities and wildlife habitats, particularly in areas where human settlements and forested regions intersect. The encroachment of natural habitats by humans and the resultant disturbances often lead to such encounters between wild animals and human infrastructure.

Authorities are now emphasizing the importance of implementing effective strategies to prevent such incidents and mitigate the risks associated with human-wildlife conflict. This includes creating buffer zones, erecting sturdy barriers, and raising awareness among the local communities about coexisting harmoniously with wildlife.

A PHED worker said that the elephant had come around 2 o'clock. The breaking of the boundary wall by the elephant has increased the risk of theft of scrap items kept in the premises. It may be known that wild elephants coming out of the airstrip area are creating nuisance in the block premises and its surrounding areas. This process has been going on for the last 20 days. Elephants have created terror in ward number 10, 11 and 12.