Aloo ka chokha”, a favourite dish in villages in winters in Palamu is now a big treat at least at Chechani Tola where a herd of elephants have destroyed quintal of potatoes.
Pantu Ram in his written petition to the ranger Betla Nathuni Singh has claimed the herd of elephants destroyed two quintal of potatoes. Another victim Ravinder Ram claimed he lost 50 kgs of potatoes. Bijay Singh made a claim for compensation for destruction of two quintal of potatoes.
DS Srivastava Member of State Wildlife Board said that elephants are no fond of potatoes but they enjoy crushing and smashing it within their huge feet.
Victims have lost precious pulse Kurthi about which it is said a regular use of Kurthi dal can save a man from calculus (stone) in kidney or urethra. Rama Ram in his written petition has asked for compensation for the loss of 50 kgs of Kurthi dal. Where else, Ravindra Ram cries for the loss of his 10 Kgs of dal.
Raher dal which is so precious too has been eaten by elephants. The victim petitioner Sheoshankar Ram claimed loss of his 5 kgs of raher dal.
Srivastava had an interesting point to share with The Pioneer, he said, “This herd of elephants had a near brush with human beings as the first raid that these elephants came around 5 when the entire villagers were sleeping, but the elephants didn’t hurt anyone.”
The ranger Nathuni Singh told The Pioneer that the victims have demanded compensation for their cycles which the herd of the elephants damaged beyond any repair. Pantu Ram showed his cycle which is now just a bundle of pipe iron. Bijay Singh is another victim whose cycle has been damaged by the elephants.
The victims have submitted their petitions for compensation with photograph. The house owner stands in front of the rubble/debris/wreckage of his house showing maximum damages ostensibly to convince the tiger reserve officials for compensation money.