Jumbos march on highway in search of water in Chittoor

Forest dept. cautions riders, posts watchers to monitor their movements

Protective measures: Rock drilling in progress for creating elephant proof trenches in Palamaner range of Koundinya elephant sanctuary in Chittoor district.

A herd of wild elephants criss-crossing the Chittoor-Bengaluru national highway at Moghili ghat of Palamaner range during the last three days is giving tense moments to the forest officials, who have cautioned the highway riders to move carefully and avoid close encounters with the pachyderms.

The stretch of the NH at Moghili ghat section, covering the Jagamarla forest beat, is considered the favourite haunt of wild elephants during summer, as they visit some of the ponds here, which hold sufficient water.

According to officials, in search of water, the animals cross the NH at three points. On Friday afternoon, a herd of three elephants was seen moving close to the NH, drawing the attention of some highway riders. The vehicular traffic which came to a halt for a while, resumed after the arrival of the forest officials from Chittoor and Palamaner. A batch of forest watchers was posted at the ghat section to monitor the movements of the elephants.

Divisional Forest Officer (Chittoor-West) T. Chakrapani, who is supervising the operation to facilitate smooth movement of the wild elephants while crossing the NH, told The Hindu that there are 35 wild elephants that frequent the Moghili ghat section. “As the NH passes through the reserve forest and the protected Koundinya elephant sanctuary, the stretch forms the natural corridor of the wild elephants. They come here in search of water and a big pool of water close to the NH happens to be the regular haunt of the animals, particularly during summer. At present, there is absolutely no problem with the herd,” he said.

Impact of blasting

The DFO said, “In view of the ongoing road widening works from Chittoor outskirts to Bangarupalem and Moghili ghat section, we are doubly cautious about the movement of the wild elephants.” Forest personnel would be posted at some of the stretches along the NH to guide the highway riders to follow certain precautions, including speed control at 35 kmph, avoiding moving closer to the herds and informing the forest officials in case of any incident.

Meanwhile, the forest department has intensified the elephant proof trench works in Palamaner and Gangavaram mandals. The sounds of blasting of rocks and drilling works for erecting trenches is believed to have created panic among the wild elephants, forcing them to move towards the Moghili ghat section.