A 52-year-old watchman, Deveshwar, was sadly trampled to death by elephants in a residential area bordering Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday night. Deveshwar, a daily-wage worker stationed in the Girjapuri Irrigation Colony, had left his house to relieve himself but never returned.
Worried family members launched a search and discovered Deveshwar’s lifeless body in the nearby forest bushes. Adding to the chilling scene, the family reported hearing trumpeting elephants nearby, preventing them from recovering the body.
Forest officials and police were alerted, and they later retrieved Deveshwar’s body. Elephant footprints at the scene strongly suggest an encounter with the herd led to the tragedy.
“We’ve sent the body for post-mortem,” confirmed Forest Range Officer Anoop Kumar. “Reports of elephant trumpeting continued even this morning, prompting us to advise villagers to remain cautious and increase patrolling in the area.”
This incident highlights the delicate balance between human settlements and wildlife conservation. While preserving endangered species like elephants is crucial, the safety of local communities living near sanctuaries demands careful attention and preventative measures.