Koderma: A herd of 20 to 25 elephants damaged the road barricade set up near the Nawalshahi police station and hut in adjoining Pulwabar village under Devipur panchayat late Saturday evening, prompting the forest department to keep quick response teams (QRT) on alert across Koderma district.The herd had earlier been tracked moving through the Paplo forest area in Markacho block by QRTs and local volunteers.Police personnel and forest officials pushed the herd back from Nawalshahi by lighting torches. The elephants then entered Pulwabar village and devoured rice and mahua flowers stored in the house of Shrilal Tudu. The family members noticed the herd and fled, preventing injuries. Villagers have been spending sleepless nights, keeping torches ready to protect their homes, area residents said.
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“This is the first time a herd of elephants has appeared in this area. The people here are terrified as the forest department’s efforts are proving ineffective,” said Devipur panchayat mukhiya Bedu Saw.Urging residents to stay calm but alert, Koderma DFO Saumitra Shukla said, “The herd has been moving through forest zones in Markachho and Jainagar for nearly two weeks. Do not go near the animals or try to record videos and immediately inform forest personnel so that our officials can guide the herd toward safer zones.”Koderma has seen repeated human-elephant conflict in recent months, including fatal encounters near residential areas and brick kilns. Public safety remains the priority and long-term elephant corridors are being explored. Crop and property losses caused by the elephants will be compensated for, the DFO added.