Fear grips Thalavadi Hills amid rising human-elephant conflict

Persistent human-elephant encounters in fringe villages of the Thalavadi Hills have created fear among residents, as repeated incidents of crop destruction and fatalities have compelled farmers to stay on alert during the harvesting period.

Maize, millets, pulses, and other crops are extensively grown in the area during the current season. Villages in the Bynapuram, Mallankuzhi, and Diginarai panchayats, situated near the Jeerahalli and Thalavadi forest ranges, have been facing regular crop forays by wild elephants.

In the early hours of Sunday (February 8, 2026), Mahesh, 28, of Karalavadi village was trampled to death by a herd of elephants while attempting, along with other farmers, to drive them away from agricultural fields. The incident led to protests, with villagers blocking the removal of the body for post-mortem examination for more than six hours.

Yogesh Kumar Garg, Deputy Director of the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) and District Forest Officer, Hasanur Division, held discussions with the protesters led by S. Kannaiyan, president of the Thalavadi Farmers’ Association. Farmers pressed for the installation of rail fencing, strengthening and upkeep of elephant-proof trenches (EPTs), enhancement of compensation for death caused by wild animal attacks to ₹20 lakh, and reinforcement of early warning mechanisms. A compensation of ₹10 lakh was disbursed to the victim’s family, after which the protest was called off.

Rising cases

In recent years, six farmers have died in elephant attacks in the hill region, largely because cultivators are compelled to guard their fields during night hours. “Between November and February every year, we are completely deprived of sleep,” a farmer from Diginarai said.

Elaborating on the issue, Mr. Kannaiyan said Joraikadu is a fragmented forest stretch covering about 550 hectares and separated from the main forest, with three village panchayats surrounding it. Elephants take refuge there during the daytime owing to the availability of water sources and venture into farmlands at night, he said, calling for the area to be made inaccessible to elephants.

Another major concern, he said, was the entry of elephant herds from Karnataka, numbering between 20 and 60, into Tamil Nadu through Arulvadi village along the inter-State boundary. Claiming that Karnataka has well-maintained EPTs, he alleged that elephants are being chased away into Tamil Nadu through the border. Villages including Arulvadi, Mallanguli, and Madahalli were bearing the brunt of the incursions, he added.

Farmers alleged that the existing EPTs were inadequately maintained and demanded that all breach points be properly closed. While the trench near Rangasamy Kovil had reduced conflict by nearly 70% in Ernahalli and Jorai Hosur areas, breaches along a 2.5-km stretch were continuing to affect residents of Arulvadi, Karalavadi, and Mariyapuram villages.

Changes in cropping patterns

K. Rajkumar, Chief Conservator of Forests and Field Director of the STR, told The Hindu that changes in cropping patterns in Karnataka were driving elephants into Tamil Nadu in search of food. He said elephants often become aggressive and disoriented when chased using multiple torch lights during night hours. Measures to strengthen early warning systems and ensure proper maintenance of EPTs would be taken to reduce the conflict, he added.