Hazaribag: A herd of 24 elephants damaged standing crops, boundary walls and irrigation infrastructure in Kesda village under Tatijharia block between late Monday night and Tuesday.Farmer Pawan Prasad suffered extensive losses after the herd destroyed maize cultivated on an acre and damaged his boundary wall at 12 places.The elephants also damaged a solar-powered irrigation panel installed on farmer Lochan Mahto’s land and destroyed maize, groundnut and okra crops cultivated over around 10 katthas.Another farmer, Birendra Prasad, said the herd trampled cauliflower and cabbage crops grown on 10 katthas and paddy cultivated on six katthas.Forester Vidya Bhushan said efforts were under way to drive the elephants back into the forest. “Our team is continuously monitoring the herd and taking necessary steps to prevent further damage,” he said.
