Jamshedpur: The Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary (DWS) has welcomed 35 elephants this week, putting forest workers on high alert. Particularly in light of the November 2023 electrocution of three elephants in Chakulia, they are extremely wary.
“To ensure the safe movement of the elephants, the Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd (JBVNL) has raised the height of the overhead transmission lines at 18 separate sites in the forest,” stated Abhishek Kumar, the DFO of Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary.
The official stated that trackers are monitoring the movement of the gigantic elephants, noting that more than fifty elephants, including the recently arrived herd, are currently walking throughout the sanctuary.
The DFO added that in order to prevent the elephants from descended on the slopes, forest guards and quick response teams (QRTs) have been urged to remain watchful. In the unlikely event that any of the jumbos descend the slopes, the villagers living in the foothills have been warned to refrain from taunting the elephants.
“In addition to the sanctuary’s abundant greenery, there is enough water available in the man-made and natural ponds located on the hills. The DFO stated that there is little chance that elephants will make their way to the communities.
Notably, the 98 sq km sanctuary is home to over 100 waterbodies, including 68 drinking holes and roughly 40 check-dams. The official added that the herd originated in West Bengal’s West Midnapore woods.
The elephants travel to Bengal and back to the sanctuary by the approved route from Burudih, which goes via Chakulia, Narsinghpur, and Aamdapahari. According to the DFO, about 20 elephants live in the sanctuary year-round, but between July and September, 30 to 40 of them migrate to Bengal and Odisha and return around February-March, the DFO said.