A herd of wild elephants has caused significant damage to farmlands in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra. The elephants, which have been roaming the Chunchura forest area for some time, recently entered agricultural lands near the district headquarters. The herd arrived at midnight, entering the Made-tukum and Chandala regions, which are only about three kilometres from the Gadchiroli city. This has caused distress to farmers, especially as it is harvest season.
The elephants destroyed standing crops, mainly paddy, pigeon pea (tur), and maize. A team from the Forest Department, led by Range Forest Officer Balaji Bhandekar, has visited the affected areas to assess the damage and conduct surveys. The Forest Department has issued a warning to the public. They advise people to stay away from the elephants, avoid trying to film them or take selfies, and refrain from unnecessary travel at night.
Wild elephants have become a regular presence in the Gadchiroli district. This particular herd originally comes from Odisha. They are believed to have migrated due to habitat disruption caused by mining activities in their home state. The herd first entered the Dhanora taluka of Gadchiroli in October 2021, coming through Chhattisgarh. Since then, the group of about 35 elephants has been frequently moving through the Dhanora, Armori, Kurkheda, and Desai Ganj talukas in search of food and water. Their presence invariably leads to the destruction of crops in the fields they enter.
Farmers have consistently complained about the difference between the actual crop loss and the government compensation they receive. While the Forest Department conducts damage assessments, the compensation is often insufficient and delayed. Initially, the elephants were only seen in villages and farms near the forests. However, they have now started entering human settlements and even the outskirts of cities. In May 2025, a herd had entered Gadchiroli city itself at night, causing widespread fear among residents. The current presence of 10 to 12 elephants near the city’s border has prompted the Forest Department to issue another alert.
