An atmosphere of fear has enveloped Nawada district as a herd of wild Asian elephants roams rural areas in search of food due to habitat loss. In Suartoli village, a 30-year-old man named Sanoj Bhuiyan tragically lost his life during the elephant rampage, which also claimed the lives of three buffaloes, sparking panic among villagers. Forest Divisional Officer Shreshtha Krishna confirmed the incident, emphasizing the loss of human life and livestock.
The Forest Department is actively monitoring the situation and advising residents to exercise caution and avoid forested areas. Local residents reported a herd of approximately 20–22 elephants active in the region for the past three days, believed to have migrated from Jharkhand due to habitat loss. These elephants are causing destruction by entering villages at night, destroying crops, and damaging houses, instilling fear among residents.
Following the havoc in Suartoli, the herd has moved towards Kawakol and the forests of Nawadih. The Forest Department has initiated a comprehensive operation to track and manage the elephants, with a specialized team from West Bengal called in and drones deployed for surveillance. Authorities are urging calm and emphasizing safety measures while working to control the situation.
Similar incidents have previously occurred in Jharkhand, where wild Asian elephants wreaked havoc in districts like Hazaribagh, Chatra, and Chaibasa, resulting in human casualties and extensive property damage. These events underscore a growing human-wildlife conflict in the region, often linked to diminishing forest habitats and elephant herds’ search for food and water.
