A herd of wild elephants numbering around 20 to 30 had reportedly wreaked havoc across Pyotchu village jurisdiction under Lotsu Circle, Wokha district destroying farm houses at the rubber plantation area.
Pyotchu village head GB Yananyimo Lotha told Nagaland Post over phone that the elephants intruded into a rubber plantation farm, which is about half an hour’s walking distance from the village, on December 31, 2018 midnight and January 2, 2019 morning.
When the villagers inspected the ravaged area, head GB said they found out that rubber tabbing machineries were damaged besides overturning or crushing many bamboo thatched structures.
The wild elephants were believed to have strayed into the village from a nearby forest.
“They have destroyed many farm houses of the villagers and people are scared and helpless,” the head GB said. No injuries have, however, been reported. “Attacks by elephants have been on the rise in that area. Now we are worried that these elephants may return in bigger numbers,” he added.
According to head GB, the elephants visit the village’s jurisdiction every year, but this time, they arrived in larger number.
Initially attempts were made to scare away the wild jumbos by bursting crackers and making loud noises, but eventually the villagers were forced to flee from the area.
Meanwhile, Pyotchu village has expressed gratitude to the district administration and state government for the timely action and hoped that the responsible authority would address the problems faced by affected farmers.