Wild elephants go on the rampage in Hassan

A group of wild elephants have been damaging crops in villages in Hassan taluk for last two to three days, leaving farmers in distress.

The residents of Ramadevarahalla, Ballenahalli, Chowdenahalli, and Yalagunda villages have noticed three elephants in their farms, particularly at night.

Vast tracts of banana, mango, tomato, potato fields and coconut farms have been damaged. A major portion of banana farm belonging to Sugandha Raj at Ramadevarahalla village has been reduced to the ground. Savithramma, also from Ramadevarahalla, has suffered a huge loss as mango and sapota trees have been damaged.

The farmers have demanded that the Forest Department drive away the elephants. “We have put in a lot of effort to grow crops. When elephants damage them, our hard work and investment go waste. The department should make efforts to safeguard our farms,” said Venkatesh, a farmer.